My friendship with Earnest has been deepening.
We first bonded when I stayed at his home and he very kindly let me sleep on the bed with him and Nancy.
Lately, he has been coming over to watch Homeland with us. We've also been taking walks together, as well as mixing at the bluffs late in the day.
Some have suggested that I am unable to get along with my canine peers, but I think my burgeoning friendship with Earnest suggests otherwise.
Without Sunday nights to look forward to, I am adrift.
For dogs in 'the biz', the first rule is to always know the location of the craft service table, where snacks are set up.
When I'm not needed on-set, that's where you'll find me.
Thomas carried my dog bed into the family room so I could relax during Jon Stewart.
I was disheartened to learn that the overweight dog featured in VW's 2012 Superbowl commercial was actually an in-shape dog wearing a fat suit.
The inspirational story line had resonated with me:
Fat dog struggles to get through doggie door / Decides to get in shape / Works out/ Achieves athleticism and good health.
But apparently it was all a lie.
Would the FTC let Jennie Craig photograph trim models for "After" photos, and then encase them in fat suits to obtain the "Before" shots?
A recent New York Times story , although unfairly judgmental of the current generation of canines, has caused me to take a rueful look at my own behavior and how I may be contributing to negative perceptions. The article's thesis is that while dogs in the olden days were noted for their heroic contributions (think Balto, Lassie, and Rin Tin Tin), the current generation is a smarmy, maladjusted me-generation of dogs whose acclaim comes from misbehaving on reality TV, or from being therapized by Cesar Milan.
From a personal standpoint, I feel that I do play an important positive role in both my family and my community. Not showy or dramatic, but important in terms of recognizing, honoring, and furthering relationships. On the other hand, the article's disparaging reference to a dog on "It's Me or the Dog" who sticks its tongue up its owner's nostril did touch a nerve, and reminds me that I need to work harder on recognizing appropriate boundaries.
