"Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" [or Pooh!]

He isn't really named Boo, he doesn't yet have a settled name. He's a wee dog who husband's elder son found wandering, a few weeks ago, one freezing morning, in the snow. In ensuing days and weeks he and his wife tried every possible way to locate his owner: enquiring of all the vets in town, the shelter, the boarding kennels, neighbours, adverts. Nothing! The local dog shelter advised a wait of 10 days before deciding whether son-in-law wished to keep the dog. They had, just before Christmas, lost a long-beloved pet Jack Russell, aged into her teens. They had declared, "Never again!" And then, just weeks later.....

We can only surmise that the wee dog had escaped from, or was abandoned by someone driving through town. He has, indeed, proved to be something of a 'runner', if ever he sees a chance of escape. He has a strange combination of traits: he's ultra clingy and affectionate, wants to be with us, around us all the time even though we haven't known him for very long, but still, he'd bolt and run given the chance. He has tried it, both from here and from his new home with son-in-law and family. He's a hybrid, definitely one part Chihuahua, his head is unmistakably that; the other half could be either Corgi or Mini-Pinscher.


Anyway...long story short: son-in-law and wife have gone skiing in New Mexico for 5 days, and we are dog-sitting - though in our own home rather than in theirs; our homes are just a short distance apart.

I'm calling the dog "Pooh" for now - Pooh Dog, after A.A. Milne's Pooh Bear. Guess why? Yep, probably due to anxiety and nerves, not long after his new "humans" had driven off, he pooped in husband's office/den. It happened again later on, and again this morning - in the living room this time. We take him out in the back yard often - it's a nice big open grassy space with a pasture behind - but he's not into pooping there, as yet. He did try an escape though. He had woofed to "ask" to go out, yesterday morning, so I let him out into the backyard without realising that we had a visitor there : the pest control guy, who had had opened the back gate. Pooh had heard something going on, woofed to go out and - quel horreur! Pooh flew! Panic central! The nice young pest control guy realised what had happened, ran to his truck and followed the direction in which we'd seen Pooh disappearing. He was soon back with the little rascal, who had covered quite a bit of ground in the streets around ours. He has a peculiar gait when running - more akin to leaps and bounds, possibly due to his disproportionately long body. Pooh is so generally sweet natured and friendly that he went straight to the young pest control guy, came back with him quite happily.

This is going to be an adventure and a half!

Store Dogs

One of the joys of meandering around antique stores, junk stores, flea markets and suchlike is meeting the pets of store owners. Cats are encountered frequently, always a pleasure to meet, but seldom do we get to know them well enough to enjoy their true personalities. Dogs...well some of them have such doggy charisma that it's impossible to ignore, even on such brief acquaintance. Here are three of our favourites met, or met again, during the past few weeks.



Jake, the junkyard dog. He's lovely, friendly, cuddly. I suspect he is either a younger sibling or the parent of the dog we met many years ago in the same junk store, it's located not far from home. I've never forgotten Jake's predecessor - we met him one very cold January day, on the way home from my birthday lunch. We shivered as we ventured into the store. Jake's predecessor immediately came and sat on my foot, leaned up against my leg. I was never quite sure whether I was keeping him warm or he was keeping me warm!

Curly. What a sweetie Curly is. We've met him twice on our travels in Kansas. His owner runs a very good antique store, Curly parades up and down the aisles keeping watch - but such a benign watch! He is always ready for a cuddle.

We met this beautiful trio just this weekend, when we stopped to investigate a store with flags announcing imminent closing down of the business. Husband saw the dogs first, came back to tell me I was in for a treat. Three gorgeous standard poodles. We didn't get a chance to ask their names. They appeared to be related. The poodle lying down seemed like the mature one of the family - blasé to the fuss made by customers. The all-black one and the white one are possibly young siblings, very affectionate to all-comers. The store owner was heard saying that if she doesn't bring the dogs to the store each day customers complain bitterly.

Joke

Maria Adams at Quora posted the following in response to the question:
What's the best Donald Trump joke you have heard?

She added, with regard to its source:
Source: unknown. Whoever knows the source of jokes?

Donald Trump meets with the Queen. He asks her, "Your Majesty, how do you run such an efficient government? Are there any tips you can give to me?"

"Well," says the Queen, "the most important thing is to surround yourself with intelligent people."

Trump frowns. "But how do I know the people around me are really intelligent?"

The Queen takes a sip of tea. "Oh, that's easy. You just ask them to answer an intelligence riddle."

The Queen pushes a button on her intercom. "Please send Theresa May in here, would you?"

Theresa May walks into the room. "Yes, my Queen?"

The Queen smiles. "Answer me this, please, Theresa. Your mother and father have a child. It is not your brother and it is not your sister. Who is it?"

Without pausing for a moment, Theresa answers, "That would be me."

"Yes! Very good," says the Queen.

Back at the White House, Trump asks to speak with Vice President Mike Pence.

"Mike, answer this for me. Your mother and father have a child. It's not your brother and it's not your sister. Who is it?"

"I'm not sure," says the Vice President. "Let me get back to you on that one."

Mike Pence goes to his advisers and asks every one, but none can give him an answer. Finally, he ends up in the men's room and recognizes General McMasters' shoes in the next stall.

Mike shouts, "General! Can you answer this for me? Your mother and your father have a child and it's not your brother or your sister. Who is it?

General McMaster yells back, "That's easy. It's me!"

Mike Pence smiles. "Thanks!" and goes back to the Oval Office to speak with Trump.

"Say, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle. It's General McMaster."

Trump gets up, stomps over to Mike Pence, and angrily yells into his face,
"No, you idiot! It's Theresa May!"

Arty Farty Friday's Dog Talk (with a dash of astrology).

I intended to prepare a post on dogs in art, but having found it has been done many times already, I desisted. Something else deterred me too, it seems that artists who are also dog lovers (or maybe not) come over all twee when painting a dog. Many feel obliged to portray the dog doing decidedly undoggy things, or wearing non-doggy clothes. In many older, more serious paintings, often hunting scenes, dogs feature prominently, these have no appeal to me. Other vintage pieces depict dogs with children, a combination which tends to bring on the twee. If I'm going in a twee direction at all, I want James Thurber's dogs. Otherwise a straight portrait - like this gorgeous one by Pippa Thew.

Some of James Thurber's

We don't have a dog, mainly because we like to be free to take off at the drop of a hat. I do love dogs, even though I still have a small scar on my wrist where a fluffy little darlin' bit me when I tried to stroke him. I was only 5 or 6. He was standing with a co-dog owned by the same family, a Great Dane. I'd have been much safer petting the big dog!

In my youth we had a naughty little mongrel at home, Rex, the "runt" of a litter. He loved to run away and roll in cow dung in nearby fields, then come home stinking. Later my parents bought a pedigree Cairn Terrier, Kim. Spoiled rotten he was, became my mother's one-woman dog. Kim hated me, bit me more than once, just jealous I guess. After he died my parents, deeply affected by his loss, decided not to have another dog.

Over the years I've come to prefer the idea of big dogs, bigger the better. They do seem, on the whole, to have sweeter natures than the smaller breeds. I once, long ago, worked in a hotel where the proprietors kept a Doberman - Dobie, he was a darling. When the owners went away, leaving me in charge of dog and hotel, Dobie would let me know when he was hungry by gently putting his mouth around my wrist and physically pulling me to the room where his food was stored - this was a regular occurrence. He loved people, or to be accurate, he loved all people except the postman!

Different breeds definitely have their own characteristics, no doubt about it. It follows then that certain breeds of dog would suit certain astrological "breeds" of human better than others. The list below came from MSN Astrology back in 2008, the link, however, is now defunct.

Aries
The American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff for short) is a confident dog that makes a very loyal and devoted companion for the Ram. They have a rep for being slightly aggressive - something you can relate to! - but your dedication to training them correctly will make all the difference in their demeanor. Amstaffs are very trusting and amiable but can be stubborn at times; however, if you assert yourself like a true Aries can, they'll be your compliant companions.

Taurus
Your ideal dog companion is the German Shepherd. This loyal and very intelligent breed is obedient and learns quickly, making them extremely easy to train; they also have a regal air about them that you admire. Some German Shepherds can be quite aloof and serious, like a lot of Taureans, but they are also known for being highly effective watchdogs, which helps put your security-conscious mind at ease.

Gemini
The quick and agile Border Collie fits your personality perfectly. Highly intelligent and trainable, the Border Collie has lots of stamina and determination. They're also eager to please and very quick to learn, which makes them easily trainable and adaptable to your ever-changing world. Border Collies need a high level of mental and physical stimulation, just like you do, which is why they make a great companion for on-the-go Gemini.

Cancer
The Labrador Retriever is your ideal dog, not only for its sweet-natured, loving, and loyal ways but also because they are wonderful family pets. Labs are extremely friendly and sociable with a mild manner and laid-back attitude, and because they love to join in a wide range of activities and have lots of love and affection to shower upon their family, they're the perfect companion to the family-centric Crab.

Leo
Grand in stature, the loyal and honorable Bullmastiff is your type of dog. This dog is huge, so you are sure to turn heads wherever you go, giving you both the attention you crave. But beyond their superficial appeal, they also have a great amount of loyalty and devotion and are cheerful, confident, and attentive pets - all characteristics that would make any Leo dog owner swell with pride.

Virgo
The noble-looking Weimaraner (See THIS post) is perfect for the Virgo with discerning taste. Weimaraners are very strong-minded and independent dogs, and because they have boundless energy, they can really benefit from the punctual walks that most Virgo natives are willing to give them. Sticking to a precise schedule also helps keep these dogs away from destructive behaviors they are sometimes prone to; once they know that they can depend on you, you will be able to depend on them to reach their full potential.

Libra
Affectionate, gentle, and sweet, the Whippet is a charming dog with a peaceful demeanor. Whippets do like to run around and play, but they are also happy enjoying the creature comforts of home; this adaptability makes them more comfortable with your indecisiveness than other breeds may be. These dogs love the attention of their owners, enjoy interactive play, and will be sure to appreciate your creativity when it comes to finding activities you can enjoy together.

Scorpio
Perhaps, as a strong and powerful Scorpio, you don't picture yourself with any of the toy breeds, especially a Chihuahua, but you may be surprised to find that they are quite a good fit with the Scorpio personality. These little dogs are curious, full of confidence for their size, and they are very loyal to their families, demonstrating quite a jealous streak if another pet or person is getting more attention than they are. Sound familiar?

Sagittarius
You need a dog that will roll with the waves, one who is as happy at home as they are on a road trip with you, and that dog is a Golden Retriever. This breed is popular for many reasons, among them being their social personalities and real passion for life. If you're up for doing it, so are they! Just make sure to enroll them in doggie daycare or get them a human or canine companion if you are gone a lot and can't take them with you as these pups do not like to be left alone.

Capricorn
The Pug is tenacious and devoted but also has a cheerful way about him, much like the typical Capricorn. These dogs do not need a lot of grooming or maintenance and can get along fairly well without a big yard in which to frolic, which allows you to be a responsible dog owner and still keep your hectic work schedule. Although Pugs can be quite willful at times, they will respond well to your methodical training methods.

Aquarius
OK, so you aren't the most likely of all the Sun Signs to own a dog, but those of you who crave a dog to call your own will want to consider the gracious Rhodesian Ridgeback. This is a breed of intelligence, which you can appreciate, and is also very independent and willing to follow the road less traveled with you. Just keep in mind that they have very intense sight and sound triggers, so they will wander off if something stirs their curiosity.

Pisces
Faithful, affectionate, and maybe just a little lazy, the Saint Bernard is a huge dog with a huge heart - in other words, your perfect pooch. Saint Bernards are typically very calm, quiet, patient, docile, and loyal, traits with which Fish can identify. These dogs do need the companionship of their owners and are not suited to people with hectic, busy schedules, but compassionate Pisces is more willing than any other sign to accommodate the Saint Bernard's needs.

Regarding suggestions in this list, #1 I'd swap the Taurus dog with the Leo dog.

#2 I'd give Gemini a Jack Russell instead of a Border Collie. Jack Russells are live wires, sociable and highly intelligent, my husband's elder son has one, Casey (in the photo on the right), we keep her company sometimes when son and family are away from home. I suspect that Border Collies would be a little too biddable for Airy Gemini!

#3 Oh, but Scorpio with a Chihuahua? No! Scorpio needs a big black dog, any breed as long as it's big, black and looks a little fierce.




My favourite breed, the Irish Wolfhound - a big, big gangling, hairy monster would suit Sagittarius - excess on legs, they make you smile just to look at them and, by all accounts, they can be such sweeties.

Arty Farty Friday ~ William Wegman & His Dogs

Whenever a dog turns up in a movie, TV drama or in real life - my attention is immediately drawn to it - no matter who else is on the scene - even if it happens to be one of my all-time favourite actors. So when I stumbled upon some doggy photographs by William Wegman I simply had to investigate. I love dogs.

William Wegman's career began as a teacher of art in college/university and as a painter. His acquisition of a pet Weimaraner who he named Man Ray, after the legendary artist/photographer, he began taking photographs of the dog. The Weimaraner's deadpan expression, along with imaginative poses and skilled camera technique Wegman used caught the attention of the public. After Man Ray died Wegman replaced him, some years later, with another Weimaraner, this time a female: Fay Ray, who seemed to enjoy being a photographer's model even more than her predecessor had. So the theme continued, and has developed into a set of children's books, books for adults, videos, calendars, prints, etc. Prints now sell in the thousands of $$$$.

Wegman's doggy family has grown to include Fay’s offspring — Battina, Crooky and Chundo — and later, their offspring: Battina’s son Chip (in photo, right) in 1995, Chip’s son Bobbin in 1999 and Candy and Bobbin’s daughter Penny in 2004.

A glance at some of Wegman's photographs tells us that his stock-in-trade is wit, humour, a touch of satire - and love of his subjects. Not all art critics and members of the public are enamoured of Wegman's work. Some see it as kitchy, cheesey and boring, while some dog lovers probably worry about animal cruelty. I don't care what art critics say, and I seriously doubt that cruelty enters into the scene - ever - at all. These dogs are born "hams" -doggy Oliviers and Garbos, you can tell!

William Wegman was born on 2 December 1943 in Holyoake, Massachusetts. 12 noon chart shown below.


He has a very positive chart - all Fire and Air, unless his unknown rising sign adds Earth or Water, that is. His Moon would have been in Aquarius whatever time he was born.

Lots of Air, then (here's the wit). Moon in quirky Aquarius: his photos are nothing if not quirky! Venus and Neptune (art and creativity) in Libra, ruled by Venus, planet of the arts. Uranus, Mars and Saturn in communicative Gemini, with Uranus opposing his Sagittarius Sun and Saturn opposing his Sagittarius Mercury. Uranus planet of the unexpected in a see-saw opposition aspect with his ebullient Saggitarius outer self, seems to echo his quirky Aquarius Moon. Serious Saturn in a balancing act with an exaggerating Mercury helps draw in the reins a little on Wegman's urge towards excess, and channels his talent towards business aims. Jupiter (representing publication) in outgoing Leo lay in harmonious trine to Mercury in Sagittarius - connects to the success and popularity of his work.

Not sure where to look for an astrological link to dogs/animals. I think I've read somewhere that Sagittarius Sun and its ruler Jupiter might be connected, and Venus, of course. In Wegman's chart Venus lay in harmonious sextile to Jupiter in Leo - that seems to fit.

Some examples of his photographs. I'm avoiding most which entail dressing the dogs in human clothes, those are my least favourite poses.

BLUE PERIOD





YOUNG BRIDGE



SEEING EYES



KYPHOSIFIED















More pics HERE & Lots more can be seen using Google Image.

The photographer's own website
Wegmanworld

DOGS

While surfing aimlessly around the net, I found the doggy zodiacal compatibility list which appears later in this post. The Obama family is looking to acquire a pet dog, one which doesn't irritate the young daughter's allergies, so choice will be limited. It's a near certainty that the president-elect is unlikely to give any thought to the astrology of the situation, but it provides a fun topic.

We don't have a dog, Chez Twilight, mainly because we like to be free to take off at the drop of a hat. But I do love dogs.

I think a Doberman would be a good choice for White House Pet. Their coat is short and sleek, unlikely to annoy allergy sufferers. They can be good guard dogs, but docile and sweet, if brought up to be so. I once, long ago, worked in a hotel where the owners kept a Doberman - he was a darling. When the owners went away, leaving me in charge of dog and hotel, Dobie would let me know when he was hungry by gently putting his mouth around my wrist and physically pulling me to the kitchens - a regular occurence. He loved people - all people except the postman!

Sweet story, from here:

This photograph shows a red Doberman kissing an exhausted fireman. He had just saved her from a fire in her house, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house into her front yard, while he continued to fight the fire. She is pregnant. The firefighter was afraid of her at first, because he had never been around a Doberman before. When he finally got done putting the fire out, he sat down to catch his breath and rest.

A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina newspaper, "The Observer," noticed this red Doberman Pinscher in the distance looking at the fireman. He saw her walking straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do. As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired man who had saved her life and the lives of her babies, and kissed him, when the photographer snapped this photograph.

A few comments about the list below which comes from MSN Astrology: I'd swap the Taurus dog and the Leo dog around. I'd give Gemini a Jack Russell instead of a Border Collie. Jack Russells are live wires, sociable and highly intelligent. I think Border Collies a little too biddable for Gemini! Oh - Scorpio with a Chihuahua? I don't fancy that! Scorpio needs a big black dog - any breed as long as it's big and black and looks a little fierce.

My favourite breed, the Irish Wolfhound - a big, big gangling, hairy monster would suit Sagittarius - excess on legs, they make you smile just to look at them, and they can be such sweeties.



Here's the list from MSN Astrology:

"Friends Fur Ever - Finding Your Perfect Canine Companion".

Aries
The American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff for short) is a confident dog that makes a very loyal and devoted companion for the Ram. They have a rep for being slightly aggressive - something you can relate to! - but your dedication to training them correctly will make all the difference in their demeanor. Amstaffs are very trusting and amiable but can be stubborn at times; however, if you assert yourself like a true Aries can, they'll be your compliant companions.

Taurus
Your ideal dog companion is the German Shepherd. This loyal and very intelligent breed is obedient and learns quickly, making them extremely easy to train; they also have a regal air about them that you admire. Some German Shepherds can be quite aloof and serious, like a lot of Taureans, but they are also known for being highly effective watchdogs, which helps put your security-conscious mind at ease.

Gemini
The quick and agile Border Collie fits your personality perfectly. Highly intelligent and trainable, the Border Collie has lots of stamina and determination. They're also eager to please and very quick to learn, which makes them easily trainable and adaptable to your ever-changing world. Border Collies need a high level of mental and physical stimulation, just like you do, which is why they make a great companion for on-the-go Gemini.

Cancer
The Labrador Retriever is your ideal dog, not only for its sweet-natured, loving, and loyal ways but also because they are wonderful family pets. Labs are extremely friendly and sociable with a mild manner and laid-back attitude, and because they love to join in a wide range of activities and have lots of love and affection to shower upon their family, they're the perfect companion to the family-centric Crab.

Leo
Grand in stature, the loyal and honorable Bullmastiff is your type of dog. This dog is huge, so you are sure to turn heads wherever you go, giving you both the attention you crave. But beyond their superficial appeal, they also have a great amount of loyalty and devotion and are cheerful, confident, and attentive pets - all characteristics that would make any Leo dog owner swell with pride.

Virgo
The noble-looking Weimaraner is perfect for the Virgo with discerning taste. Weimaraners are very strong-minded and independent dogs, and because they have boundless energy, they can really benefit from the punctual walks that most Virgo natives are willing to give them. Sticking to a precise schedule also helps keep these dogs away from destructive behaviors they are sometimes prone to; once they know that they can depend on you, you will be able to depend on them to reach their full potential.

Libra
Affectionate, gentle, and sweet, the Whippet is a charming dog with a peaceful demeanor. Whippets do like to run around and play, but they are also happy enjoying the creature comforts of home; this adaptability makes them more comfortable with your indecisiveness than other breeds may be. These dogs love the attention of their owners, enjoy interactive play, and will be sure to appreciate your creativity when it comes to finding activities you can enjoy together.

Scorpio
Perhaps, as a strong and powerful Scorpio, you don't picture yourself with any of the toy breeds, especially a Chihuahua, but you may be surprised to find that they are quite a good fit with the Scorpio personality. These little dogs are curious, full of confidence for their size, and they are very loyal to their families, demonstrating quite a jealous streak if another pet or person is getting more attention than they are. Sound familiar?

Sagittarius
You need a dog that will roll with the waves, one who is as happy at home as they are on a road trip with you, and that dog is a Golden Retriever. This breed is popular for many reasons, among them being their social personalities and real passion for life. If you're up for doing it, so are they! Just make sure to enroll them in doggie daycare or get them a human or canine companion if you are gone a lot and can't take them with you as these pups do not like to be left alone.

Capricorn
The Pug is tenacious and devoted but also has a cheerful way about him, much like the typical Capricorn. These dogs do not need a lot of grooming or maintenance and can get along fairly well without a big yard in which to frolic, which allows you to be a responsible dog owner and still keep your hectic work schedule. Although Pugs can be quite willful at times, they will respond well to your methodical training methods.

Aquarius
OK, so you aren't the most likely of all the Sun Signs to own a dog, but those of you who crave a dog to call your own will want to consider the gracious Rhodesian Ridgeback. This is a breed of intelligence, which you can appreciate, and is also very independent and willing to follow the road less traveled with you. Just keep in mind that they have very intense sight and sound triggers, so they will wander off if something stirs their curiosity.

Pisces
Faithful, affectionate, and maybe just a little lazy, the Saint Bernard is a huge dog with a huge heart - in other words, your perfect pooch. Saint Bernards are typically very calm, quiet, patient, docile, and loyal, traits with which Fish can identify. These dogs do need the companionship of their owners and are not suited to people with hectic, busy schedules, but compassionate Pisces is more willing than any other sign to accommodate the Saint Bernard's needs.