For the love of Dog

When I was young, I had a black fox terrier and chihuahua mix dog named Blackie.  I suppose you can guess why she was named that.  We lived in the country and the dogs were not kept in a pen.  They lived outside because my dad would have never allowed a dog in the house.  I didn't think of it at the time but they would find warm places in the winter time and cool places in the summer time.  I would keep ticks and fleas under control on them but they never saw a bath or a vet.  My dog served a utilitarian purpose of barking when someone came to the house, or alert me to a snake or other wild animal nearby.  Vermin control was important in the country and Blackie did that very well!  She was a sweet dog that had an aggressive streak towards anything that she thought meant her or us any harm.

Another dog we had named Gypsy.  She was Blackies mother.  She never really cared for Blackie and would  force her to submit at almost every turn.  Gypsy was the alpha dog.  This probably went on for a couple of years when one day Blackie turned on her.  She went after Gypsy as if she were possessed by something else.  The wounds on Gypsy very nearly cost her life.  It was then I had to give Blackie away to someone else as they could not live in harmony anymore.  You can't have two animals who are at each others throat every day.  I was probably seven or eight at the time so I didn't have a lot of say in the matter.  I just remember I felt like I lost my best friend.

I had several dogs in my life.  I remember Blackie, Duchess, Ben, and Mitzi.  All of them had their unique personalities.  All did have one thing in common...they were full of love for me.  Regardless of my situation, they were there for me whenever I would reach out my hand for someone.  Dogs have an incredible capacity to love with only wanting love in return.

When I married, I didn't have a dog for 25 years.  My wife is more of a cat person.  Now during that time I have learned to love cats as well.  We can all learn a few things in life I suppose.  I remember one day I told my wife I would like to have a dog again.  Now that didn't go over well at first but she finally relented.  I saw Charlie on Craigslist and the people were going to take him to the pound if someone did not respond.  I wrote them and learned that he was a Coonhound mix.  I had never dealt with a large dog before but I was willing to take that on.  He had those forlorn hound dog eyes.  So very sad but so very sweet.  It turned out the contact was a friend of my wife.  That was a surprise so she ended up bring Charlie to me the next day.  He had been named Nero but I picked Charlie because I thought it suited him better.

After 25 years it is amazing how much you remember and forget about having dogs.  Charlie was only eight weeks old so it came as no surprise that he gnawed on me or my possessions with those needle teeth.  Every time I came into contact with him was an experience in blood letting.  He had not learned to control his play to not bite so hard.  I began to think he needed a playmate with thicker skin and more understanding.  I began looking for a companion for him, on Craigslist of course, and one day I saw someone who had to Border Collie mixes in a nearby town.  I called and set an appointment to see them but knew I could only take one.  Lucy was only about ten weeks old and had the puppy playfulness to keep Charlie occupied.  Lucy is a Border Collie-Malamute cross so she is a bit bigger and does not know her own strength.  She has a sweet submissive personality but a playfulness which I have not ever seen in a dog.

After a couple of years together, I see that Charlie still causes me blood loss from time to time.  Lucy is  so active that I have trouble keeping her calmed down.  Then comes those times when all is quiet in the house and that come next to me and just lay at my feet.  They let me pet their heads and rub their bellies.  I enjoy it as much as they do.  They know when I am sad and try to comfort me.  They know when I am happy and they rejoice with me.  They are there for me even if no one else is. Though I will never have Blackie again, I have gained the love of another dog.  Their love is unconditional just as the love of God is unconditional.  I wonder if that is why the same letters are used to spell God and dog.  I just know that I have got my best friend back.

Defending My Own

There has been a lot of media attention on Paula Deen in the media in recent weeks. Now I consider her primarily as a cook and not a chef. Being born in South Carolina I recognize her as a very good cook. Having read the deposition of the lawsuit pending against her, I cannot see how what she said created such a furor.

Now a lot of , which are being politically correct, have dropped her from their affiliation. I for one, am aghast at the unmitigated gall of these companies. So what you will hear from me is how these companies have benefited me personally in the past. Take note, these are only my opinions.

The Food network was the first to drop her after many years of faithful service. Thank you Food network for being the watchdog over my morality and conscience. I do not think I could have done it without you. The second to drop her was Smithfield meats. That really distressed me the way she had tried to promote their brands. In a statement, the company said it "condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind. Therefore, we are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen." Of course I know that recently they have been sold to foreign interests which do not represent the South as I

know it. http://investors.smithfieldfoods.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=767743

Ballentine Books which published her cookbooks said: The publisher said Friday it would not release "Paula Deen's New Testament: 250 Favorite Recipes, All Lightened Up," which was scheduled for October and was the first of a five-book deal announced early last year.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/06/28/sears-drops-paula-deen/#ixzz2XsWpfDr8

The truth is that her cookbook coming up was enough to top Amazons best seller list. Their loss I suppose because someone else will surely pick it up. Me included.

Walmart, Target, Ceasars, QVC, Kmart, Penny's, and Sears have followed suit in dropping her brand. On one occasion or another I have had qualms with all of these stores.

Political correctness is the scourge of America. I will not, and cannot, continue in good conscience to follow these companies and give them my money. Their argument holds no water. I have read the deposition and not found it to contain anything that warrants this kind of fallout. Paula Deen is being railroaded and unjustly so. I plan to buy her books and support her because the simple fact is...she cooks better than most of us can. Now isn't that what I want in a cookbook?