Let the Barking Commence!
Today is the day it seems like most of you are going to be in the land of Pittsburgh, and you'll be lucky to hear from the Big Dog himself, President Bill Clinton. He'll still be basking in the glow of his successful return from North Korea after having gained the release of two American journalists, so please be sure and give him an extra clap or two for those of us not fortunate enough to be there.
However, that in itself isn't the main purpose of today's Cheers and Jeers. For that, please come on over the fold (and yes, it was planned before yesterday's edition, so this isn't a rebuttal)
Dogs come in many shapes and sizes, and while Bill Clinton is known as "the Big Dog", his family's most famous pet wasn't his Chocolate Lab Buddy, who arrived towards the end, but Socks, the cat, RIP.
I can imagine that Bill and Michael's cat has already gone and looked up Socks and had a lengthy discussion about that Don't Ask Don't Tell policy implemented during Socks' stay in Washington.
President George W. Bush had Barney
and then Miss Beasley, a pair of Scottish Terriers, but honestly, there are only two things I remember about those dogs - the video cards at Christmas and Barney attacking the reporter in the final days of the term, which seems a lot like biting the hand that protects you, but whadda I know?
Much has been made over Bo
who has made a good first impression, probably helped along in his puppy enthusiasm by the youthful nature of the inhabitants that are part of his new pack.
For a good summary of the various presidential dogs, you can check out this diary here, by CaptainTight.
I have been reading Cheers and Jeers for a few years now, and I wanted to share with you the members of my family that have brought me some of the strongest cheers and some of the most unfortunate tears over the nine years they've been in my life. Prior to Fred, I had only some idea of the ties between people and their pets.
Fred changed all that. Fred is a Basset surrendered to Denver's largest pet shelter by someone who put on the form the reason: he chased her cat. He was about 1 1/2 years old at that point, still full of puppy energy, and I can attest during the nine years I've had him around, he really is happy to play with anyone and anything, but a chaser of cats? Only if they don't stand still or play. I think he just outgrew the cute puppy phase and she didn't want the dog that was now at least twice the size of her cat.
Cheers to Fred, for coming into my life and expanding my heart a few sizes, by sharing his.
Cheers to the skill of the vet who was able to fix Fred's ruptured disk - it's now been about 2 1/2 years - and Fred has been able to be fully active since his recovery. I'm very grateful for having been able to afford that treatment for him.
I can't figure out whether to give cheers or jeers for the Michigan Republican who proposed tax relief for people who have animal health care expenses. When I had several thousand dollars of care for Fred, I wanted to somehow deduct it, but I think it incredible this Deather Republican who is against Health Care reform for people is now willing to give tax breaks for pet care.
Cheers to all those who rescue animals, especially those who have been abandoned. Additional cheers for those who donate to those shelters - they need a variety of goods, including pet beds, blankets, towels, extra pet food (sometimes) and many things that they'd otherwise have to use scarce dollars for.
Jeers to the economy that has forced many out of the homes and apartments where pets had homes as well. Pet owners have been surrendering pets that in normal times would have continued being part of the family, and not all have gone to shelters.
Jeers to those who imagine their dog or cat can easily fend for themselves off the land - they're domesticated, and many will starve, adding to the misery of being abandoned.
Cheers to Missy, another Basset from a different shelter, who provided us with love and gave Fred someone to play with while I was at work. She was definitely the Alpha female from the moment she came into our house.
Tears for the belly full of cancer that claimed her at the too-young age of eight. I had never experienced a loss of a close family member before, and her loss really hurt. I still tear up when I think of not being able to have her nuzzling me when I'm typing on the keyboard rather than petting her. I also know when the time comes for Fred, it's going to be much tougher.
Cheers to the fact that Missy's quick illness and passing made me realize just how precious my girlfriend was. She's now my wife; I was helped along by Missy's ultimate sacrifice in realizing that we need to take action to love others now, while they can appreciate it.
Cheers to the family:
Fred, the still-active Basset resting on the stair that puts him at the right height to see out the front windows and also at a good height to be petted.
Jack, the Bichon enjoying the way snow pills up in his hair. Fred has taught Jack how to howl like a hound (though his vocal chords aren't really built for it), to belch and to lounge around the way a proper hound does. Fortunately, he hasn't learned how to drool, so he gets to stay.
CB, the Siamese who thinks he's some kind of dog (he likes to be walked, he eats the dog food and he mimics many of their behaviors - though not right here).
I realize this is very different from the Cheers and Jeers we're used to from Bill, but I'm not going to try to be as clever as Bill is day after day. He's really quite a treasure for the Kossack community and I hope he is having a blast in Pittsburgh this week. I offer my own cheers and jeers here, and I look forward to reading your stories of your own four-legged family members.