The White House needs a Golden Retriever!

Ginger sends you her most profund compliments. She could not have written a more eloquent essay herself.

She asked me to post this acknowledgement for her. She is busy writing her memoirs.

We did share Word, but she bought her own laptop. She also is immersed in editing my most recent monograph. I am hoping that she will decide to publish it.

If I could ever bestow on every needy spirit, one gift to transcend all pain and fear, it would be the instant thought of a Golden Retriever.

When I first met mine, his ‘feet’ were size nine and his body a mere plus 1. He appeared to be wearing brogues, very much akin to Fred McMurray's cartoon lead-in to the long ago, "My Three Sons." I spotted the big paws and began to whistle the theme that invoked Uncle Charlie, Ernie, and all the other flash-in's that a recollection will bring hurtling forward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-PbwJ0VXhs

(By way of images that flash upon recollections, I remember the Duke of Duvall, George Parr, Alice Texas and boxes and stuff and Texans that looked at Lyndon.)

My Golden made me look like Nolan Ryan as he snagged every throw that sailed in. His ‘pirouette’ catch for over head throws was suspension, disbelief and the stuff of legends. When he drew down on final day, it was from an enlarged heart. How could it have been otherwise?

I wish for you many head butts, eyes that say, “me and you” and a coat that glistens from the hand that loves to comb and comb it again ... big paw, pad me again.

vonryansexpress

Wouldn't George Parr make an excellent Homeland Security Secretary in Obamaland? The Duke of Duval and Lyndon B. Johnson knew how to be real villains. These Chicago phonies wouldn't have made good "bagmen" in the LBJ White House.

Should the Obama's desire an option to the Golden, I'd like to suggest the Flatcoated Retriever. Black, shiny, wavy coat, beautiful brown eyes, intelligent (in a humble way), patient and loving with children as well as all they encounter.

Our own 8 year old, sleeping at my feet as I write this, is evidence that there is a God and he loves us so much he offers many gifts we are unworthy of.

Well, he's not even sworn in and already, the Obama presidency has gone to the dogs....But which breed ? Everyone loves Goldens. Labs are loyal and lovely. My favorite is the ionfamous Border Collie !

The problem with the Obama Team having a Border Collie is simple. The breed is the most intelligent of the canines...Which means the dog would be out thinking a great number of Obama's cabinet !!!!!

Goldens are the best, but of course not a possibility since they needed a hypoallergenic dog. I had hoped they would compromise and get a golden doodle - they did claim to have wanted a mutt. Bo is cute enough, but a pretentious choice.