I didn't mean to rant today, honest ...

Sigh. And here I thought we were going to have a rant-free, look-what-made-me-laff day. And then Hilary Price went and drew this RWO.

I'm a fan of dog rescue. But, boy oh boy, it sure is well past the point where cave canem and caveat emptor cross over.

I have had Rhodesian ridgebacks for the past 30 years, and several of them have been adoptions, which is different than a "rescue," because they came from breeders I knew and trusted, so that, in addition to understanding the breed, I knew exactly why each of these dogs was available.

(And "trust" means finding breeders who don't cause these abominations.)

That's a whole lot different than seeing a mixed breed on a website and having it shipped from the South, which is about as close to "buying a pup in a poke" as you're likely to get, particularly when you have to work your way through the sort of happy-talk that groups use to help place a dog.

At least when a Realtor describes a tumble-down shack as a "fixer-upper," it's okay to call them out on their bullshit.

However, you will get in huge, huge  trouble for pointing out that "just needs some socialization" or "could use some training" and "better in a house without small children" represent roughly the same level of truth-in-advertising.

Nor dare you suggest that "Adopt A Pet Week" promotions are an invitation for people to make hasty emotional decisions they will regret.

And under no circumstances should you ever point out how few of the examples of friendly, gentle pitbulls are older than three, and the ones who aren't are almost always American Bull Dogs, who are pretty much classified pits by a technicality.

Nor should you ever suggest that they have some innate traits. No, no, it's all in how they're socialized.

By contrast, it's perfectly okay to tell people that, if you get a Lab, you can count on it being eager to play fetch, but you can also count on it jumping joyfully into any body of water it comes across, even if it's only a mud puddle.

And that shiba inus cannot be trusted off-leash.

And that the way a 12 pound schipperke protected those Dutch barges was by raising holy hell when it heard anything, and they'll do that in your apartment, too. A lot.

I love all three breeds. But I don't deny that they come with their own baggage, sometimes a clutch purse, sometimes a steamer trunk (even my own choice).

If you get a mix, either by shelter adoption or in the form of a designer mutt, you should check out what seems to have gone into it and hope it isn't like the old, almost certainly apocryphal story of George Bernard Shaw seated at dinner with a starlet who said it would be nice if they had children, because "imagine if they had my looks and your brains!"

To which he replied, "Yes, my dear, but imagine if they had my looks and your brains!" 

It also brings to mind the old maxim, "Marry in haste; repent at leisure." 

Twelve years is a long time to wish that good heart had been placed in a good dog.

But, yes, adopt a dog. Absolutely.

After giving it long thought and doing some very careful research. 

 

As long as I'm ranting

With all the dysfunction in our own political system, you may have missed this ridiculous, toxic bit of overseas nonsense, but Dutch cartoonist Bart Van Leeuwen has not, and this is only one of two cartoons he's done on the topic.

Seems a German comedian wrote and recited an insulting poem about Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who wants him prosecuted for it. And it's not like he read the poem in Turkey, much less in Turkish. Erdoğan wants him prosecuted in Germany.

It's an interesting thing, because the Turkish leader apparently feels they owe it to him because Turkey has agreed to help take back and resettle refugees who have fled to Germany without visas. At the same time, Turkey is trying to make the case that they should be admitted to the European Union, about which apparently Himself has a few things to learn.

For instance, if he can find the original of this cartoon, he could learn the Dutch term for "Goatfucker," which is what it is called in English.

Just in case Erdoğan really thinks he was insulted in German.

Hadn't encountered Van Leeuwen before, but I rather like his work.

 

And speaking of people who do good work

The National Cartoonist Society has announced the nominees for Cartoonist of the Year, which, by the way, is the actual "Reuben" whose name overflows into the other awards.

As Constant Readers know, I don't place much importance on awards, but it's good to know your fellow-cartoonists have a high opinion of you and your work and there's always a chance some feature editor somewhere will hear about it and decide to run your comic.

It could happen.

Of course, as the members prepare to vote, we'll be hearing who doesn't have a chance and should drop out, and why voting for this candidate means you're a bigot and some speculation about how so-and-so can hold a pen with such tiny hands.

'Cause comics gotta stay relevant in today's society, else what good are plaques?

 

Juxtaposition of the Day; Secret of My Success

(Pardon My Planet)

(Pickles)

One of these days, I'll unleash a rant against "faux-minists," those guys who adopt a big feminist pose that seems more like a singles-bar come-on than a serious commitment to equality, but, in the meantime, I just want to note that it is freaking pathetic how much cred I picked up on my second bachelorhood simply for showering before ... well, before.

Seriously, guys. I'm not trying to ingratiate myself with them. I'm talking to you.

I know it's not in the Kama Sutra, but that's probably because it shouldn't have to be. Please.

 

Don't let it get to this point

 

 (Don't know what banner you're getting, but I'm getting a diamond ad. Yeah, that'll do it.)

Comments

[Brian Fies]

Pastis's hands are tiny. I'm just sayin'.

[George Corbett]

What's just as appalling as Erdogan's demand for prosecution is that, according to the Guardian article, the German criminal code prohibits insulting "representatives of foreign states."

[Mark Jackson]

I would say that calling Erdogan "representative" of Turkey or its people is an insult in itself.

Actually, the NCS Divisional Awards are now (and since last year AIUI) called the "Silver Reubens."
http://www.reuben.org/2016/04/2015-ncs-silver-reuben-divisional-nominees/

[Kathleen Donnelly]

Fingers crossed for Pastis!
Mike, are you familiar with Dave Breger's book, But That's Unprintable (1955). I've just replace my copy with a "new" one - it's available on amazon.com. I've often thought of it while reading your blog. Great little book, even after sixty years.

[rogers e george]

Yours is one of my favorite blogs, and I refer to it occasionally in my own blog. Here's the latest one: http://writing-rag.com/1863/another-lesson-about-less-and-fewer/