South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s memoir, "Earning Wolves," has stirred up controversy over the revelation that she shot and killed her family dog, Cricket.
In the midst of her ongoing campaign for national recognition and a potential spot on the Republican ticket for the 2024 presidential election, Noem’s decision to include this information in her book was met with strong reactions. While Noem argues that the media has misrepresented the incident, claiming that Cricket was not a household pet, many are still questioning the necessity of including this detail in her memoir.
According to Noem, Cricket was an unruly hunting dog who caused problems for her family, including killing a number of chickens belonging to a close friend. After numerous attempts to train and control the dog, Noem made the difficult decision to put Cricket down. In her book, she explains that this decision was not taken lightly, but was made in the interest of the safety of her family.
While tough decisions and personal struggles are often detailed in political memoirs, there has been some pushback over the inclusion of Cricket’s story. Critics argue that by including this information, Noem is trying to paint herself as a tough, no-nonsense leader who is not afraid to make tough choices. However, many question the necessity of including the specific details of her decision to shoot the dog, especially in the context of her political aspirations.
Don’t believe the #fakenews media’s twisted spin. I had a choice between the safety of my children and an animal who had a history of attacking people & killing livestock.
I chose my kids. pic.twitter.com/ZTtN7MpQvf
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) May 2, 2024
Noem’s memoir has also sparked discussions about double standards in politics. While it is not uncommon for politicians to detail difficult decisions they have had to make, there seems to be heightened scrutiny when it comes to personal decisions, particularly those involving animals. Some have pointed out the hypocrisy in the outrage over Noem’s actions, citing the lack of similar outrage over former President Barack Obama’s admission that he ate dog meat as a child.
However, despite these criticisms, Noem remains steadfast in her decision to include Cricket’s story in her memoir. She argues that the media has misrepresented the incident and that it was not a decision made lightly or without considering all other options. In fact, Noem's book also reveals the numerous tough decisions she had to make as a Congresswoman and now as governor of South Dakota.
Noem also addresses the issue of her campaign for national recognition and a potential spot on the Republican ticket for the 2024 presidential election. While some have suggested that Noem’s inclusion of Cricket’s story is an attempt to bolster her image and appeal to conservative voters, she maintains that this was not her intention. Noem sees her memoir as an opportunity for readers to get to know her on a personal level and understand the challenges she has faced throughout her life and career.
At its core, "Earning Wolves" is a memoir that delves into Noem’s personal and political journey. While the focus may be on Cricket’s story at the moment, there is much more to the book than just that. Noem’s memoir touches on her humble beginnings in a small farm in rural South Dakota, her decision to run for Congress in 2010, and her subsequent rise to the governor’s office. It also covers her political ideologies, beliefs, and the tough decisions she has had to make in order to serve her constituents to the best of her ability.