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Must Love Dogs
The whole country is in love with "Bo", the Obama family's new dog. And why not? Americans are so hungry for good news, we'll take it in furry form. And besides, dogs make the world a better place.
The best thing about dogs is that dogs love you back. A dog loves unconditionally. Dogs know that of faith, hope and love, the greatest of these is love. (Though I will say that dogs are also very good at hope. My dogs hope continually for treats and w-a-l-k-s; right now I have three dogs looking at me expectantly, hoping that when I finish typing this we will go outside. And maybe have a treat too.)
Who doesn't love a news story about a puppy? I know if I click on a story about Bo, it's not going to be about what to do about Afghanistan. I know that its not going to be a story that will break my heart once again because another teenager has died from gun violence here in Chicago. I know it won't be a story about the failed state of Somalia and pirates (pirates!) threatening ships and passengers.
I'm tired of worrying about our world. There just doesn't seem to be much of anything in the news that isn't downright alarming, from more giant chunks of ice falling off of the poles to more people losing their jobs. Even the wonderful news last week about marriage equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people from several states made me worry when the next attack on their equal rights would come.
No wonder I want to read about Bo. No wonder other people want to read about Bo. He has no reactionary legislative agenda. He just makes us smile, this puppy with the curly hair and the big white paws.
I think the whole country has emotional fatigue, and if we're emotionally fatigued by all these crises, imagine how President Obama feels.
I looked at the picture of Bo happily running down the hallway alongside President Obama, looking up and plainly enjoying this cool chase game. The President was smiling, looking down at Bo.I hoped the President was having fun too. I hoped playing with the puppy gave him a little relief from stress. Dogs are good for that.
I believe dogs are a gift of grace. Welcome, Bo. Keep up the good work.
By
Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
|
April 13, 2009; 6:46 PM ET
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Posted by: lepidopteryx | April 15, 2009 8:28 AM
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Hmmm, BO could actually afford to adopt children and pets. Adopting children would show that he walks the talk when it comes to respect for life something he shamefully abuses by supporting abortion on demand.
And yes I had pets as a child but I learned early on that caging dogs/ cats/rabbits/fish/birds whether in homes or zoos is horribly unfair to these species born to be free in the wild.
Posted by: CCNL | April 15, 2009 8:04 AM
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CCNL,
They already have two children. They got a pet for their children. Didn't your parents ever get you a pet? Or is part of your problem that you never had a pet as a child?
Posted by: lepidopteryx | April 15, 2009 7:30 AM
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The better option would have been to adopt a child.
Posted by: CCNL | April 14, 2009 11:29 PM
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Susan Brooks Thistlewaite must have nothing more important to write about.
Who cares that the Obamas got a dog? Didn't other Americans get a new pet recently?
Posted by: mmm1110 | April 14, 2009 5:36 PM
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I must say, though, that I hope they are not planning to try to make Bo a house dog. PWD's are working/hunting dogs, and require LOTS of exercise. Making them house dogs isn't fair to the dog.
Posted by: lepidopteryx | April 14, 2009 1:07 PM
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it is said when we reach heaven, the first thing we see are all the dogs we have loved. dogs are truly a shining blessing; they give unconditional love and loyalty, pure joy and yes, true grace!
in these difficult economic times, when americans are being divided by bailouts, guns, gay marriage, prolonged election results and debtor vs. donor states, it is good for the american soul to rejoice in a new puppy and a rescued, honorable captain.
Posted by: sbvpav | April 14, 2009 11:30 AM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
Apparently, the Obama's have all the children they want. Surely you aren't suggesting that people should adopt children they don't really want just because they can afford to and it makes a great photo op.
Domesticated species don't have the highly developed survival skills of their wild cousins. Those abilities have been greatly reduced by selective breeding. That's why they're called "domesticated" animals.
Our quadruped pets seem quite happy with their "cage," especially since it includes a queen-size bed that they are gracious enough to allow us space in. Our finned pets also seem to like the fact that they aren't required to constantly flee predators. So we won't be "freeing" our Felis domesticus, our Canis familiaris, or our Danio rerio any time soon.