Primo on Politics...

Rachel Lucas' new dog Primo comments on politics:


Rachel calls this “mellow” – I say “cogent commentary” :)

A Man and His Dog...

The man is John Unger of Wisconsin, and the dog is 19 year old Schoep, whom John got as a puppy.  John credits Schoep with (quite literally) saving his life during some dark days.  Now Schoep is very old (in dog years), and has developed debilitating arthritis, making it nearly impossible for him to sleep.  John accidentally discovered that Schoep's pain was relieved when in the water – so now John takes Schoep out into Lake Superior every night for some much needed relaxation.  Hannah Hudson, the photographer and John's friend, caught this moment between a man and his much-beloved dog...

A Recipe for Happiness...

Start with a stale crust of Dudley's Rosemary & Olive Oil bread.  Rip it into small pieces.  Warm a few tablespoons of milk in the microwave and soak the bread chunks in it.  Sprinkle a little shredded Parmesan cheese on it.  Stir in a tablespoon of melted butter.  Finely dice a slice of ham and mix it in.


Then put the bowl down on the floor for your old girl dog friend (in my case, Lea, our 15 year old field spaniel).  I guarantee you'll be a happier person after you watch your dog's delight and grunts of sheer doggie ecstasy.


It's so easy to make a dog happy...

Rescued Dog and Its Owner Reunited...

Saturday I wrote about the dog rescued off the coast of Japan, quite possibly the last survivor of the earthquake and tsunami of three weeks ago.  This morning comes the news that the dog and its owner have been reunited.  I couldn't find pictures or video, but who cares?  What a nice way to start the morning...

Disappearing Food...

My mom passed along this note from a friend of theirs:

The latest thing in our house is that our 4 year old black Lab has figured out how to open the refrigerator. The first time was when I was in California. Owen and Matilda thought one of them had failed to close the refrigerator door. June, the dog, ate a blueberry cobbler, leftover spaghetti, a bowl of grapefruit and oranges, sausage, rice, and soy beans. Matilda made another cobbler. June ate it too. By that time Matilda and Owen were beginning to think it wasn't them but they couldn't believe a dog could really open a refrigerator. That night they caught her. She puts her nose down at the bottom of the door, right where the gasket is and just pushes. Now we have a child proof lock on the door. The only problem is people who forget to lock the lock. One night this week someone had a late night snack, didn't lock the door, and June ate a whole pineapple i'd peeled and cut up. It hurts to be outsmarted by a dog.

Mo'i (one of our field spaniels) would behave just like this, if only he could figure out how to open our refrigerator.  We have one of those extra-large refrigerators (very handy when you live as far from a grocery store as we do), so we're extra-vulnerable.  Thankfully he hasn't been smart enough yet to figure out how to do it...

Doggy Wonderland

When our waitress discovered how much we enjoyed this poem, she told us that there were more doggy Christmas things underneath some of the other tabletops. And a little while later, she pointed out this one to us (sung to the tune of “Winter Wonderland"):

DOGGY WONDERLAND (unknown songwriter)

Dog tags ring, are you listenin'?

In the lane, snow is glistenin'.

It’s yellow, NOT white - I’ve been there tonight,

Marking up my winter wonderland.

-

Smell that tree? That’s my fragrance.

It’s a sign for wand’ring vagrants;

"Avoid where I pee, it’s MY pro-per-ty!

Marked up as my winter wonderland."

-

In the meadow dad will build a snowman,

following the classical design.

Then I’ll lift my leg and let it go Man,

So all the world will know it’s mine-mine-mine!

-

Straight from me to the fencepost,

flows my natural incense boast;

"Stay off of my TURF, this small piece of earth,

I mark it as my winter wonderland.

Christmas Dog

Debbie and I went out for dinner tonight, to the Descanso Junction restaurant — one of our favorite local spots. One of its charms (in addition, of course, to the fine food and cheerful help) is the collection of paper “stuff” they have under the clear tops of all the tables. These usually range from nostalgic pictures to magazine articles to granma’s recipes — entertaining reading, always. Tonight they had the joint decked out for Christmas, right down to thematic materials under those clear table tops. On our table there was this delightful poem (especially if you’re a dog person), a take-off on “'Twas the Night Before Christmas":

CHRISTMAS DOG (by Shel Silverstein)

Tonight’s my first night as a watchdog,

And here it is Christmas Eve.

The children are sleeping all cozy upstairs,

While I’m guardin' the stockin’s and tree.

What’s that now — footsteps on the rooftop?

Could it be a cat or a mouse?

Who’s this down the chimney?

A thief with a beard — And a big sack for robbin' the house?

What’s going on here?

I’m barkin', I’m growlin', I’m bitin' his butt.

He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.

I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.

I’ve frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again.

The stockin’s are safe as can be.

Won’t the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow

And see how I’ve guarded the tree!

And there’s more!