Gone to the dogs . . . or vice versa

It was just this morning, as we walked toward the court, that my tennis nemesis---when informed that Bernita and I had adopted a dog from the animal shelter in Carlsbad---asked: “Why would you want to do something like that at this stage of your lives?” Thankfully, he didn’t say “ . . . at your age.”  More than once, I’ve mulled that question around in my own skull and finally come to the reasonable answer, “Why not?”


Bella, our two, or three year old---both ages were on the documents we received from the shelter---is obviously happy to have had the invitation to be part of the Whiting household. We don’t know her former owner(s) but I’ll speak well for what training was given our little lady. Bella knows when it’s necessary to “take a walk outdoors” and looks us straight in the eye and vocalizes a most plaintive plea when it‘s time to pee. It was her idea to sleep in our bed, but we nixed that quickly and she’s apparently just as happy on a nice mat at the foot of the bed. She has another pad downstairs which is convenient for daytime naps. There’s no begging at the table either. Well, most of the time. She either sits  a few feet away with a rather despondent dog look on her face or she retreats, defeated, to the under-the-stairway daytime pad. As mentioned, most of the time. Still not comfortable about meeting other canines, Bella will, we hope, become more sociable in that area after some sessions in Sunday School, (dog obedience) which starts at PetSmart in a few days. 

Enough with the words. Allow us to introduce you to Senorita Bella.

We looked at dozens of dogs before two of them made the cut. As we passed the cages the animals seemed to be saying “Pick me! Pick me!”  My thoughts went back to the mid 50s and a cartoon spread which Collier’s published. 

Life---in our case--- has just imitated art, and my mind recalls myriad moments when mammals (dogs, this time) have held center stage. The following examples were taken from files older than you; some of you, anyway.

My favorite . . . though not totally reflecting my sentiments:

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This cartoon suggests a dog's misguided protective instinct.

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And this one shows a dog's complete devotion to his master.

Someone once said ---or might have said, if they were not completely sane--- "One can't have too many dogs." This might be proof.

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A natural response to an overpopulation of dogs

 might be this poor man's.  

                                                           

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We'll catch up with VINCENT the Magician next time.as he enjoys the great Magic Convention 

Remember:

A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue
Til soon,
Jim