Presidential Dogs

It's President's Day! It's a day off for many folks, but doggies still gotta get their walks.

When it comes to dogs wearing those protective plastic cones ("Elizabethan collars", "plastic lampshades") on their heads, our first instinct--well, mine, at least--is to recall the jokes we've heard about them and perhaps add a joke or two to the list. On second thought, I don't remember ever hearing an actual joke about those things, but they just look so funny. I mean, c'mon, it's hard to look dignified when you've got one of those on your noggin.

Then I met Callie. Sporting a protective cone on her pretty little head, Callie taught me something today. She taught me about limitations. The cone became the limitation that defined her awesomeness. Callie doesn't seem to know that she's got the cone on her head, doesn't seem to care, and exhibits a lust for life that no cone could hinder. As soon as we got the leash on her, Callie was so excited and happy she made a push for the door, followed by the "skreeeet" sound of the cone bending to her will. This approach continued outdoors, where Callie investigated every shrub and fire hydrant she desired without giving an apparent thought to the cone going "skreeeet" as it tried to assert its physical space.

I think we've all learned something today. Callie doesn't let her limitations get in her way. Maybe, just maybe, we shouldn't focus on our limitations either and instead put our energy into achieving our goals and living life to its fullest.

If you could use a daily, living example of what The Big Lebowski describes as "a life of achievement...challenges met, competitors bested, obstacles overcome," then Callie just may be your future bestest little buddy.

As of 2/19/08:
Callie...AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION pending a medical exam.