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