Speaking tonight at the Hudson Library in Ohio, sponsored by The Learned Owl book store. Nice drive today through elk country– fishing camps lined the backroads, and broke down vehicles of all kinds lay like beached porpoises in every yard. The stench of dog breath permeated the back seat.
Maud Keeps Oliver in Line
Not sure if we’ll have time to explore Cleveland, but I had a swim today so everything’s all right.
Filed under Dogs, Jean Zimmerman, The Orphanmaster
Digging through Google Images, subject head Iconography of Manhattan Island, to collect some pictures for a presentation about Love, Fiercely, I wade through intricate vintage maps of New York to find, surprisingly, a cover of my book, and then my own photo. What really shocks me is coming upon this picture of Oliver. Looking up as if he has just skimmed the Iconography for some fascinating details of Manhattan’s past pets over a modest snifter of brandy. He doesn’t know he’s there for the Googling.
Oliver, literary lion
Filed under Dogs, Jean Zimmerman
Oliver has snuffed three rabbits in the past 36 hours. True, he is a pit-beagle, can you expect him to be more respectful of animal life? Still it is disturbing to pick up the bunny by the ear after he’s broken its neck and gummed it up. (I leave the picking up to Gil, truthfully.) The dog wants to show off its kill, brings it to us intact, perhaps conserving it for a later snack.
These rabbits make their habitat exactly where we put in the new vegetable garden, and in fact I watched Oliver corner one of them against the picturesque Hobbit fence. Yelping, in a frenzy. I know that once I put in my lettuce those rabbits would trash it.
Still.
Filed under Dogs, Home, Jean Zimmerman, Nature
Rain after drought.
Oliver won’t set foot in a drizzle unless you boot him out the door. He’s too delicate for that.
Pit-hound Under Magnolia
Filed under Dogs, Jean Zimmerman
“very popular with people who can’t afford to keep a yes-man.” Robertson Davies
Still thinking about dogs after attending the Westminster show the other day.
“The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.” Samuel Butler
Old fashioned dog names: Tubs, Duke, Trouble, Chester, Minstrel, Prince, Captain, Tracker, Chip, Rags.
Helen Keller kept a pit bull. If anyone knows its name, please inform me.
Helen and woman’s best friend
My dog Oliver has just come in to tell me that he likes the baked chicken drippings very much.
Filed under Dogs, Jean Zimmerman
Amazing Love’s Crush and Otello Bruto were in excellent form today. These Neapolitan Mastiffs were so calm, so regal, so imposing, that it is easy to believe this dog was bred as a staunch guard of the family and property. The breed is fearless and independent but very rarely barks, and it has a beautiful silvery grey coat.
We spent time with two of them at the Westminster Dog Show, up close in the slobber-flinging zone, since there were only two contestants. More and the ring might have exploded.
We saw Giant Schnauzers and some wonderful mop dogs (the real name excapes me) but more than anything I loved these wrinkled, dignified Mastiffs. I like to imagine a Neapolitan Mastiff centuries ago, guarding a Medici’s castle keep. Later, the Gilded Age adored large breeds, with a greyhound or great dane or afghan hound at your knee a sure sign of distinction. Because it showed you had a big enough house to accomodate one?
Maybe I could insert a Neo into the late 19th century tale I’m working on now.
Handsome Guy
Filed under Dogs, Jean Zimmerman
Jean Zimmerman 