Although the modern media does its best to distort the fact, purebred dogs stem from a long tradition of the form follows function concept. And that concept had ironclad credibility by 1492 when legions of them began landing on these shores to reunite members of a species that had gone separate ways at least 15,000 years earlier. Like every other aspect of this invasion, European breeds came out on top. However, in many cases, it wasn’t exactly a conquest.
First, let me dispose of a couple of things. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to win. It’s always fun and it provides a little ego boost to boot. But, there’s a fine line between being competitive and overly competitive, between winning when it counts and when no one’s counting.
Now to the main topic of perspectives. How many people are fortunate enough to have a daily job that they thoroughly enjoy? As a physician, I see all too many who hate to go to work. Fortunately, I am thrilled every day to have the opportunity to take care of patients.
Almost everyone who does any work with their dogs outside a temperature-controlled training facility and who lives north of the Mason-Dixon Line has had times when they were cold. Now by “cold,” I don’t mean the sort of namby-pamby cold that can be cured by a hot buttered rum, a cup of Irish coffee or by putting on a fisherman’s wool sweater. No, I’m talking about the kind of cold that no matter what you do, you can’t warm up, when your teeth chatter like castanets, when even your hair seems to shiver and you feel like there’s an icicle lodged in your core.
One of the astounding things about AKC has always been its militant dedication to the most contradictory concepts. The examples are admittedly endless, but if you had to pick one, the Miniature Schnauzer is a good place to start.
John Marvin was possibly the finest historian ever to chronicle AKC doings, but he definitely tended to understate things. “Today the Miniature Schnauzer is the most popular member of the Terrier group. It was not always so for in the ‘30s and early ‘40s the breed had a difficult time to become recognized as a contender.” His brief 1964 profile in The Book of All Terriers omitted most aspects of the breed’s long, strange trip to success.
It’s hard to get your head around it, the idea that the ultimate flower power symbol of peace, love, and happiness has become the focal point of the war between ….well, basically every state and federal agency, and myriad health and social welfare organizations nationwide. Yes, whatever you call it–420, weed, ganja, skunk–this traditional bedrock of American counterculture has suddenly taken center stage as a miracle drug and a corporate goldmine. As expected, the petcare industry hasn’t been asleep at the wheel. In a fittingly psychedelic partnership, Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg have teamed up to launch a massive pet-friendly product line. Obviously, FDA doesn’t watch TMZ. To quote former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb at the recent hearing on CBD regulation, “putting CBD in pet food is absurd.” I got news for the FDA, pet food is the tip of that marketing iceberg. Better start at the beginning.
“Rescue is the Best Breed!” proclaimed the sign. Another proclaimed, “Adoption is the Best Option.” Several mixes paraded about with harnesses that read “Adopt Me!” or “Rescue Me!” There was a “Kiss-a-Bull” pit bull rescue kissing booth—-yeah, that’s not a lawsuit waiting to happen. Many families were walking around trying to outdo one another with their rescue’s sad tale with the dogs in question at the end of their leads. We were at the Houston World Series of Dog Shows last week.
On a recent trip to a large beauty supply store, I noticed that in addition to the usual variety of well-known and advertised brand name products on the shelves, an array of their own store products had now appeared in force. Whether it was shampoo, hair spray, skin cleansers, or body creams, there was one of the store brand placed next to the more recognizable labeled product.
He knew his craft, which meant recognizing his subject’s faults and knowing how to minimize them on film. He often quoted advice to novices trying to break into the biz; he said a secret was to know every standard by heart and be prepared for endless hours of walking around shows and driving to the next one.
We know all about the urban dog lifestyle with its daycare programs, managed weekend activities, nannies, dog walkers, fashion galas etc. As if all that’s not bad enough, we now have weekly doggy hiking excursions. Yes, a professional doggy tour guide will peel lazy, old Fido off of your sofa and for a mere $130 drive him up to Bear Mountain or some similarly rustic environment and, well…do what you are supposed to do when you have a dog;let it off the lead to run around for awhile. Obviously the dogs like it; after all they have been reveling in this exact dog/owner bonding experience forever.
