Dr. Tippi, PhD.

Everyone now, on the count of three...Congratulations Dr. Tippi. WOOF.


That's a picture of the diploma. The Doctor of Divinity Diploma. Actually, it's a scan of the diploma. The actual diploma is hanging on a wall in my apartment.
The other picture is of Tippi, the proud graduate. See how she's smiling? You can call her Dr. Tippi now.
Her diploma is hanging over her water bowl, by the way. I had it nicely framed. It was the least I could do.
You know, I think there was actually a part of me that hoped that something like this couldn't, wouldn't be possible. The rest of me knew better. In case you're new to this particular hissy-fit/snit of mine...reference my friend James' Reverend Boris the Ordained Minister the Cat article previous to this.
After I set out awhile back to see what kind of pay-for-credentials B.S. is out there, I was dumbfounded. Seriously. If all you want is a diploma or something to hang on a wall, why even bother with school or college? Many of these places also have what they call "Reference" or "Confirmation" centers/services...not only can you buy a degree from these whack-jobs, but for an extra fee, when an employer or someone calls to verify, they have a FRICKIN' call center to say "Oh yes, So-and-So did indeed graduate with honors from our Doctoral program, blah blah blah."
Does anyone else understand what just happened here?

THEY GRADUATED A DOG.

MY DOG HAS A PhD.

MY DOG IS NOW MORE EDUCATED THAN ME...at least on paper.

This is just so wrong on so many different levels that I, for once, can't even really get angry. It's just so wrong and so absurd. They graduated a dog for the love of god, people. Everytime I think about it, I just laugh. Well, if nothing else, I guess I can use her as a reference if I should ever have the need.
We're off to McDonald's now...I think getting your PhD deserves a couple of double cheeseburgers.