Dog-goneit!

Dog-goneit!

I live in a development called Forrester Ranch in the city of San Clemente, CA. I like to think of it as a "dog hive" of K9 (forgive me) activity. I estimate that 90% of the Families have a dog or two living in their homes. We have a wonderful long greenbelt that parallels the road into the development. There is a broad sidewalk and a well-kept grass lawn that is an invitation for folks to stroll, especially in the mornings, along with their dogs. Weekdays find the women delivering their children to school and then, with the company of their dogs walking or jogging along. The area has several doggy litterbag stations for folks to clean up after their pets. It has been my observation that only about half the men dutifully do the pickup while virtually every woman does! Why? My guess is that some men never had to change their baby's diapers.

My street and neighbors have dogs. Lots of dogs. One next-door neighbor has 2 huge dogs. He is a Minister so he and his family predictably named the old Golden Retriever Toby after Tobias and the bigger younger Golden Lab, Amos. Amos is a great dog, but whines like a spoiled baby if he can't go into their house.

Suffice it to say, Dogs are big with most people. There is a lot of speculation and explanation as to why canines are so revered. My early Minonk life included a black Cocker Spaniel called Topsy. I enjoyed playing with her until puberty set in and then I found human females much more interesting. It was many years later through high school, college, Navy, marriage, children, more college, and aerospace that brought me back to dogs. My family and I decided on a "second hand" dog found at the pound. She was a beautiful young Collie and great with the kids.

It was not too long afterwards that our teenagers wanted another dog. Now careful explanations of everyone's responsibilities led to the adopting a beautiful fun loving Irish Setter pup. We named her Terra Cotta. She was very active and loved people, especially children.

Now, are you ready for a little "dog trivia"? What does it mean to "let sleeping dogs lie"? Or "barking dogs never bite"? Or what is meant by "a 3 dog night"?
* A recent survey listed "Max" as the most popular dog's name, Sam, Zack, Mollie, and Maggie are also popular names.
* One poll taken by hospital workers showed that 33% of dog owners talk to their dogs on the phone or leave messages on the answer machine while away.
* An estimated 1 million dogs in this country have been listed as primary beneficiaries in the owner's will.
* Barbara Bush wrote a book about her dog Millie.
* Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible.
* All breeds of dogs have pink tongues except the Chow whose tongue is black
* Prairie dogs are not dogs.

Take a trip to PETCO, the animal pet store and become introduced to a whole new world of "doggy" things. Especially interesting and informative are the Magazines displayed there.