Dogs Rule

[mrdreamjeans]

The colors of purple and gold have been featured in Madison Square Garden for the past two nights as the 132nd edition of the Westminster Dog Show plays out. I’ve spent both evenings glued to the television. I may not be a dog-owner, but I’m a dog-lover. None of my favorite breeds has won one of the seven groups. The top group winners move to Best of Show. So, at this point, I’m interested in the winner, but not invested in the outcome. The seven group winners are: the 15” Beagle, the Sealyham Terrier, the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle, the Australian Shepard, the Weimaraner and the Akita. I am avidly anti-poodle, so my vote’s on the Weimaraner, Beagle or Akita. The Beagle has tons of personality.

I’ve only owned one dog and acquisition of my Llasa Ahpsa is attached to a theatre story. In 1980, I was playing the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis with the National Tour of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”. My dresser for the run bred and raised Llasa’s. During our time in town, she had a litter of puppies come of age. She brought the litter to the theatre and that’s all she wrote. I fell in love with a feisty little boy pup who I named “Spritz”. Two of my fellow actors also bought puppies. When BLWIT closed, there was a huge party for us which lasted well into the early morning hours. Coincidentally, our next stop was Houston (home for most of the cast). It was an 8am flight. The three of us with 10-week old puppies brought them on-board in carrying cases. The pups cried the entire flight. I felt helpless, as I had never had a puppy. Many hungover cast members didn’t speak to me for a few days:)

As I traveled so much with work, Spritz eventually found a home with my folks. He lived until the age of 11. Many years later in Minneapolis, I ran across the breeder/dresser during a run of “Evita”. I asked about her breeding efforts. She said the last of her line was an old dog now. She‘d stopped her breeding program because the line had developed a heart defect; she wanted to do the responsible thing and not carry it forward. Spritz did inherit that defect; his health was precarious after a couple of heart attacks. One evening in 1991, Dad gave Spritz a nitro glycerin pill; he licked Dad’s hand, placed himself at Dad’s feet and quietly died. He was a loyal and loving pet with such expressive eyes. Ever since, I’ve wanted another dog, but I have to be responsible. If I can’t offer consistent care, better to love from afar or love the dogs of friends. Still, that doesn't stop my desire for a dog of my own.

I’m most drawn to Golden Retrievers, Springer Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Lhasa’s. I actively avoid pet stores or any places featuring puppies. I’m strong, but not that strong:) Well, the Best of Show winner was just announced. The 132nd winner of the Westminster Dog Show is: Uno, the 15” Beagle. I guess personality does count! Dogs rule!

Comments

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

Perfect song to accompany ( I can still hear Eddie Fisher's voice singing it).
Like you, I can't really have a pet ... just don't have the time to properly take care of one. I'm extremely fond of both dogs and cats. While I've definitely got favorite breeds among dogs, I only think I have non-favorite ones ... then I meet an amazingly cute chihuahua or truly noble poodle, and all prejudices fly out the window.
I admit it...sometimes I fantasize about being greeted by a dog when I come home ... this week he's a Corgi. :0)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Many of friends hate chihuahuas, but when I met my friends Henry and Geoff in DC, they had 13! All kept in the kitchen and all slept with them upstairs at night. I grew to appreciate what they saw in them, as I have with other dog-lovin' friends who've owned Goldens, Rotweiller's, Corgi's, Yorkies and Pit Bulls. The only dogs I shy away from are Chows and German Shepards and that's because of very negative experiences. When I'm next in Madison or you're in Texas, we'll have to visit pet stores and shelters together, so we can have the joy of looking, but one can talk the other out of an actual purchase or adoption:)

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

HA-ha! what a great idea! We'll have to do that... then we'll adjourn to a bar where you can cry in your gingerale and I in my beer over the fabulous pooch we could have each gotten were the other not present *grin*

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Ah, blame each other ... That works:)

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

After putting our sweet little kitty down a couple of months ago, we've resolved not to have pets for at least a year, and really, we shouldn't consider it until we are both out of school. Cats'r alright, but I'm more of a dog person. Maybe when I'm on the tenure track somewhere, if I can bring my dog to work with me, that would be okay.

I just got done making fun of the show dog people in another journal; then it turned out about 15 people in my friends list posted about it!

[reslbear.livejournal.com]

I used to raise and show cats! Siamese, Colorpoint Shorthair & Oriental Shorthair were the breeds I raised.

It's hard to describe or justify to people who don't get it but it is a passionand done for the dogs and the dog's babies.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

One of my LJ friends raised and showed cats. I think it's use2bshy if I remember correctly.

I followed along as you contemplated adopting the hearing-impaired puppy. You've got the love in ya. I worry about folks who don't like dogs at all. As I said, I may not have a pet, but it's out of consideration for animal, not a lack of available love.

[reslbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks Neil. I have a new LJ friend. :-)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Glad to see that! I'm sure you'll enjoy being able to discuss an activity for which you both shared a passion.

[use2bshy.livejournal.com]

looks like we've had something in common. Neil directed me your way. I also use2 raise and show Orientals!!!

[reslbear.livejournal.com]

Greetings! Thank you (and Neil) for the contact. When I lived in the Palm Desert area (1984-93) I had a Sabaku Cattery and I raised Colorpoint Shorthairs, Siamese and Oriental Shorthairs. I was showing in both TICA and CFA. My mentors were Lindajean Grillo (TICA judge) and Laura McIntyre (CFA judge). We can talk offline if you want to email me at reslbear at the yahoo.

[use2bshy.livejournal.com]

I was in the fancy from 1988 until 2000. My cattery was LLadro. I do plan to write you!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

WOW! This is fascinating. I had never heard the word "fancy" used in this way and I've never heard the word "cattery". Looks like you will have much to discuss.

[use2bshy.livejournal.com]

Being involved with Cats the do refer that to the Cat Fancy. Not sure where that comes from other then a magazine :) And its called a cattery rather then a kennel

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

LOL! Guess you got caught:) If you're both putting in long hours at school and/or work, it's sensible to wait a bit to get a dog. Do you have a favorite breed? My favorite is All-American Mutt! :)

HUGS!

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

My favorite dogs have always been a mutt -- the medium-sized, not really long but not really short hair varieties. They just seem to be particularly loving. I do like larger dogs, and have always loved Great Pyrenees. Goldens are nice, often dumb as a brick. If I was to get a breed, I think it would either be a Great Pyr or a German Shepherd.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

My sister had a series of Great Pyranees. The only draw back with them was that they had a tendency to wander. Colleen had one ..Belle ... who always left the farm and headed to the subdivisions, usually to the homes of the same series of folks:) I used to argue/discuss the wisdom of having a Great Pyr in Texas. I always thought the hot, humid climate of Austin was particularly unsuitable to the breed. Next year at this time, I'll be asking you about your new puppy:)

HUGS!

[lethrdadchicago.livejournal.com]

We have two dogs, Mickey who we rescued from San Antonio a couple of years ago and who is a Havanese (sort of a better built Llaso look) and Tilly, also a rescue who we think is a Maltese/Poodle mix. They are the joys of our and our kids' lives. If you ever do look into getting a dog, check out Havanese -- they are sweet, wonderful and not nearly as inbred as Llaso's as they are not nearly as common. Good luck holding off!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The Havanese came into my awareness when Barbara Walters purchased one and brought it on The View. They are adorable. Also, I checked into the purebred puppies. The cost was $1300 for one. As I said, about the only I can hold off is to avoid pet stores with puppies in the windows.

HUgs!

[lethrdadchicago.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. Definitely with you on the cost factor. My kids and I had gone to the Chicago dog show at McCormick Place to verify what our internet research had told us, that the Havanese was the ideal dog for us (townhouse living, at that time both Jim and I had office jobs, etc.) We fell in love! But there was no way for us to have a puppy, for the same reason. So I Googled "Havanese adoption rescue" for several weeks, and lo and behold sweet Mickey (then misnamed Spike) popped up as a rescue in San Antonio. Several phone calls and a discount round trip airfare in one day over July 4 weekend and he was a family member. You never know!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You inspire me! When I'm ready to make the move to have a pet, I'll do what you've done .. Find a deserving pup to adopt from rescue or shelter. At Minneapolis' Pride festivities a couple of years ago, there was a rescue group for Golden Retrievers. I had to be physically dragged away ....

HUGS!

[graphicubsf.livejournal.com]

Beagles are wonderful!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Loved the photo you posted. I think there was a beagle in the photo, but I was looking at the man holding her, *grin*, so I might be confused. I thought Uno would win when I saw the final line-up.

[graphicubsf.livejournal.com]

Thanks Neil. I'm glad I still had a few of those shots of Tobi from years ago. And thanks for the kind words *blush*.

Uno is a wonderful dog, makes me want to have another beagle.

[use2bshy.livejournal.com]

Lhasa's are some of the cutest puppies! (my sister raised them for awhile) and such good watch dogs too.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Well, obviously I couldn't resist in 1980:) Spritz was so cut with his grey and white hair. One of the things about Lhasa's is that their hair doesn't trigger allergies like fur. We kept Spritz's coat cut short. He was a cutie! *sigh* ...

Didn't I read somewhere that you raised and showed cats professionally?

[use2bshy.livejournal.com]

Yes I raised Oriental Shorthairs for 11 years

Buddy

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing the photo! The reason I asked is that I wondered if reslbear and you have ever crossed paths. Jamie's in Minneapolis and he replied to this post. He listed Oriental Shorthairs as one of the breeds of cat's he raised and shown. Thought you might know each other in passing ...

[use2bshy.livejournal.com]

well thank you for that information, I need to check him out

[twillhead.livejournal.com]

I was thrilled to learn that Uno won Best in Show. He looks like a great dog. We had always had dogs and cats growing up and I am a huge animal lover. I have two cats now and would love to get a dog, except that I think my cats would freak. I also don't like the idea of a dog being cooped up all day without a way to get out to do its duty while I'm at work. That's a sweet and sad story about Spritz.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It's a true story about Spritz. I didn't mention it, but he had a tendency to wander. One Thanksgiving he decided to roam. My dad and I both had to leave the holiday dinner, get on horseback and track him down. He'd made good time and was about three miles away, off on a grand adventure.

Perhaps, your cats would accept a dog who was smaller than they are. My friend Casey had five cats and a Min Pin (Miniature Doberman). Sadie, the dog, eventually made peace with all of the feline housemates.

Love the icon! :)

[use2bshy.livejournal.com]

THe cats would adjust, they'd hate you for awhile though

[cimarrondfw.livejournal.com]

What a sweet story, Neil! This is why you can post so much more often. You write so well that anyone would read it, even if he/she detested dogs.

I told Rocky, our beagle, that his Texas-born cousin had won the Best of Show at Westminster so Rocky walked more pert than ever today as we strolled the neighborhood.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

That's great! I do remember hearing that the winner was a Texas dog. Next time I visit you'll I'll have to meet Rocky. Thanks for the compliment!

Big HUGS!

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

As you probably already know... I love dogs, but like you right now, I can't own another because of the lack of offering consistent care.