Schmaltzy stories & Reindogs

by Mary Jo 

Traditionally newspapers run a heart warming human interest story on the front page every Christmas Day, a custom I love because it's good to be reminded of the best in human nature rather than "if it bleeds, it leads." 

A couple of years ago, the lead Christmas story in the Baltimore Sun was about a local Italian American family that had been sending a portrait of the Baltimore members over to the Italian relatives for 50 years.  The pictures chronicled new babies (eventually 10 kids, including one who was adopted), then husbands and children. 

These pictures were cherished by the recipients, and when the grown children visited Italy years later, their Italian cousins identified them by the pictures of their growing up. ("You're Mary!")  I particularly liked this story because one of the Lazzati daughters owns the Curves where I exercise, one of her sisters managed it, and various family members of all generations sometimes come by the studio.  An American family.

I loved this year's Sun lead story, too.  A regular guy called Ed Lott, a car wholesaler who buys cars at auction and resells them, has become a pretty amazing Secret Santa over the last five years.  He picks a good used car and gives it to someone who really, really needs a car.  This year, he gave it to a dialysis patient who needed reliable transportation to the dialysis clinic.  Ed Lott was anonymous for several years, until his mom decided he deserved some credit and notified the local newspapers.  It's a great story, an example of how generous people can be.

So much for the schmaltz.  Now it's time for Reindogs!  Unlike Wench Anne's pampered Down Under reindog, these pictures are from chilly Cincinnati and were taken by author Laura Resnick at the annual Reindog Parade.  Laura and her friends have turned this into a science and watch from in front of a coffee shop where warm refreshments are available.  So here are some 2008 Cincinnati Reindogs, with thanks to Laura:

Two of the three Wise Dogs

A swift greyhound angel:  

 

Dog in a box

A sleigh dog

 

A Santa Dane 

 

Dobermans are always on duty.

A handsome poodle pair.

A kindly big Santa dog (look closely to see his eyeglasses <g>) and a little admiring angel dog, who is possibly asking for bones for Christmas.

And we end with a dignified Hanukkah hound. (Actually a corgi, but that doesn't alliterate.)

As a lifetime cat lover, I will be the first to admit that one can't imagine cats doing this!   So hug a pet in honor of Christmastide, and if you've been thinking of adopting a pet, maybe it's time to head on down to a local shelter.  There are lots of great animals who would loved to come live with you and adore you.  (Well, dogs do adoration.  Cats do ruling. <g>)

Mary Jo

Comments

[theo]

What great pictures! I'm like you, I like the schmaltzy and the Reindog stories and the heartwarming things at Christmas. I see enough bloodshed and horror all year long on the news.

We adopted our older Dobe from a dobe rescue. He'd been beaten and weighed 40 pounds when we brought him home. He's now my little velcro dog though, at 78 pounds, not so little any more, but there isn't anywhere I can go that he's not leaning against me.

Now, if I could just convince him that the cat is not a snack...

[NinaP]

Great human-interest story and Hurray for the doggies!! My three are scattered over my office floor, right now. (two 70+ pound German Shepherds and one 20 pound JRT) They’re snoozing right peacefully at the moment, laying on their backs with doggie paws hanging in the air. But the second I stand up... the herding instinct will kick in. I haven't gone to the loo, alone, since Drake (our first GSD) arrived three years ago.

[Janga]

What great pictures!

We've been debating another adoption. Our Aussie Skye is a rescue dog and much beloved by the family, but she's a regal old lady now. We really need a younger dog for the grands when they are here. Skye is good with them, but they wear her out with the Frisbee.

[Janga]

What great pictures!

We have been debating another adoption. Our beloved Aussie Skye, a rescue dog, is a regal old lady now, and the grands quickly wear her out with games of Frisbee. We need a younger dog for them to play with, one whose energy level is a better match for them. Skye needs a companion as well. Our other Aussie, Oakley, died last year, and we just haven't been ready for another pet.

[maryjputney]

From MJP: Nothing like pets to get us to perk up even when in holiday mode!

Nina, LOL about not having been to the loo alone since the first shepherd arrived. :)

Janga, it does sound like you need another dog. A calm, respectful one who won't drive Skye nuts, but who has enough energy to keep up with the grands. I hope the right dog finds you--

Mary Jo

[Anne Gracie]

I sent a message earlier but it hasn't come through - computer woes here. Loved the reindog parade, Mary Jo, thanks. And thanks to Laura for the pics.
And I loved the feel-good stories. I wish they'd post them more often. Everyone can do with a bit of feel-good in among the depressing stuff.

Theo, my dog adores cats as much as balls - she believes both exist to be chased. Occasionally she gets a cat who smacks her one, and the shocked look on her face is hilarious. She doesn't want to hurt them -- just chase them.
NinaP, my dog thinks the loo is a place people go to pat dogs.

[theo]

Anne, I don't know that he'd eat her, he hasn't caught her yet, but he chases her like she's the next best thing to his food dish.

NinaP and Anne, I have a small commode area in my bathroom, just large enough for the commode, a person and closing the door from the rest of the bathroom. BOTH dogs follow me in there! And yes, they're looking for pats too LOL

You know, I thought I'd get to go to the bathroom alone when the kids grew up. Just traded one set of kids for another...

So, I have to share here...this is the old man:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c27/nightsmusic/Misc%20Pics/Chance1.jpg

And this is the mountain goat masquerading as a puppy...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c27/nightsmusic/Ciineacouch5.jpg

Can't remember if I put those up before or not.

[MaryJoPutney]

From MJP:

Theo, I laughed out loud at the mountain goat dog. Cats are natural climbers--dogs not so much. The old guy looked verrrrry comfortable. He's probably thanking the day you rescued him. As well he should.

Mary Jo

[theo]

MaryJo! I'm glad I could make you laugh :)

Yes, she sits like Buddah and I call her my little budda-butt...she just looks at me with those great golden eyes so trustingly...hasn't a clue I'm making fun of her.

And she drapes over that arm and sleeps there as well...*sigh*

The old man had a split across his spine, down to the bone when we brought him home. Couldn't pick up anything that remotely resembled a broom handle and if DD1 carried her bat through the house, we'd find him quivering in the corner of the closet.

Those days are gone, but I cannot fathom...