The Median Sib

Streisand has been Bush-bashing at concerts.  People who pay upwards of $250 for tickets to hear her sing are treated to typical Democratic Bush-bashing along with some songs.  Recently, when an audience member complained, she commanded him to “Shut the f*** up!”  How classy!  Not.  After delivering that statement,

Streisand noted that “the artist’s role is to disturb,” and delivered a message of tolerance

Okay.  She must indeed be an artist because her behavior was disturbing.  Apparently, though, her definition of tolerance is that people should be tolerant of her, but she shouldn’t have to be tolerant of them. Maybe you should follow your own command, Babs.

RT and I flew to Grand Junction, TN yesterday and got our new British Labrador Retriever, Jake, from the Southwind Kennels.  We mulled over several possible names and finally decided on Jake.  It’s short, masculine and easy for the dog to learn.

We spent HOURS at the breeder’s, working with different dogs - deciding which one would be the best fit for us.  Initially, I wanted a black lab that had a spot of white on his throat.  However, “Blaze” (as I nicknamed him), was not very cooperative, wouldn’t let us pet him, and wasn’t very sociable.  We wanted a dog that was calm and companionable.

At first we weren’t interested in Jake - can’t remember why - but he chose us.  And the more we worked with him, the more we saw that he was exactly what we were looking for.  He was calm, he enjoyed being petted, he was obviously intelligent and eager to please, he heeled, sat and retrieved very well.  The calmness was the most important trait, though.

We figured the big test would be the plane flight home.  RT’s plane is a small 4-passenger plane - very noisy without earphones, and of course we didn’t have doggy earphones.  We also didn’t have a crate for Jake.  So he sat in my lap.  We were wondering how he’d handle the noise and the unfamiliar experience of flying.  He was WONDERFUL!  He sat in my lap with his head stretched out on my arm.  He didn’t flinch when RT cranked up the motor, didn’t flinch during take-off or landing.  He was absolutely perfect.  And that thrilled RT since he wants Jake to accompany him in the plane for some of his business trips. 

Last night Jake was a little nervous when we first settled down for the night.  We put him in his crate in our bedroom.  He howled and barked off and on for about 10 minutes.  Then he settled down and slept all night.

This morning - he STILL had not done either “business” since we’d brought him home.  We knew he must be quite uncomfortable by that time.  We had walked him often before bed last night and first thing this morning.  However, he would not relieve himself.  Finally, though, he took care of both businesses in the appropriate spot.  Another milestone passed. 

Jake is solid black, he was born on April 17, 2006 - which makes him almost 6 months old.  I’m glad we chose an older puppy.  I think he’ll be much easier to train.  RT took him over to the land awhile ago, and I’m about to head over there to join them.

The photo above isn’t of Jake.  It’s a photo of a British Lab I found online.  However, you can see photos of him HERE at the kennel website.  I don’t know which of the four dogs is him, though.   I’ll take some photos today to post here at THE MEDIAN SIB.