The dog days of summer …

Well, it seems our parliamentary professor has decreed, well almost, that the transparent trio will not join hands and dance around the election maypole for a while, so we can enjoy the dog days of summer, as dogs did in the gold rush days.

An early Dawson City newspaper tells us: “George W. Carmack was the man inconsiderate enough to find gold in large quantities in a cold and desolate country so far from the comforts of our pleasant homes … and what a lot of trouble it has caused. It has loosened up capital all over the world … it has helped San Francisco, revived Portland and been the making of Seattle. But more remarkable than all these things this discovery has done is the wonderful effect it has had on the lives and happiness of about 50,000 dogs. It has given them a commercial value they never enjoyed before, caused them to eat food that cost $1 a pound, and entitled them to a degree of respect the most self-respecting dog heretofore could not expect. The man who kicks a dog in the Klondike may well expect to be kicked twice in return. It was remarked very aptly recently that if the dogs of the Klondike but knew who discovered the gold and brought all this honour and hard work upon them, they would rise as one dog and chase George Carmack out of the country.”

Which all might lead to this ad in the paper: “Free! A five-year-old terrier. Hateful little s.o.b.! Bites!” However, most of us would likely agree with Anonymous who commented, “A man may smile and bid you hail, yet wish you to the devil; but when a good dog wags his tail, you know he’s on the level.

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. (Ben Williams)

Lucky …

Mary and Jim’s dog was named Lucky. Lucky had a toy box in the basement where he kept treasures he’d take from anywhere, including goodies lifted from guest’s luggage.

If they, or a guest, couldn’t find something, Mary or Jim checked Lucky’s toy box. Lucky stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through and through, which was why she became concerned about Lucky when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was certain it was fatal, but with fear riding her shoulders, she scheduled a double mastectomy. The night before the operation, she was cuddling Lucky, and the thought came, what would happen to Lucky?

The operation was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and she was hospitalized for more than two weeks.

Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but he kept whining and was miserable on every walk.

Finally Mary came home, though she was so exhausted Jim made her comfortable on the chesterfield rather than go upstairs to their bedroom.

Lucky watched, though didn’t come to her when she called. It made Mary sad, but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary awoke she couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. Panic soon gave way to laughter, when Mary realized the problem.

She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favourite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking farther and farther together every day. It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free.

Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet.(Edith Wharton)

A tip of the hat to dogs, who can express more with their tail in seconds than owners can express with their tongue in hours. You don’t suppose we’d get things done faster in Ottawa if we gave our leaders a dog and tried out the tail-wagging theory?