Irate Taxpayers Get a Warm, Fuzzy Surprise

April 17, 2001
San Francisco, Detroit, New York, San Diego, USA

King Louis XIV once said, "The best form of crowd control is a dog."

Ok, well, maybe he didn't exactly say it, but I'm sure he thought it once or twice.

At any rate, post offices in major cities across the United States have resorted to a novel solution, when it comes to stressed-out masses of procrastinating taxpayers.

The fourth annual Take The Bite Out of Tax Day was a smashing success in San Francisco, Detroit, New York and San Diego yesterday.  All it took was a dog to greet people at the door.

Hoping to ease some of the tension and stress associated with sending in tax returns (ever notice how everyone seems to take it out on those poor stamp machines?), the U.S. Post Office figured they'd take advantage of their captive audience and promote a few much-needed animal adoptions in the process.

"Taxes are never fun," said one citizen. "But these dogs made me forget about my taxes."

It was a success indeed; just ask "Sugar", the 4-month-old Spaniel mutt who ambushed taxpayer Susanne Manners at the West Hollywood post office.  Within the hour, it looked like Susanne found a big smile, and Sugar found a great home.

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