Deborah Humphreys wrote:
>...
>and here is his webpage:
>
>http://www.dogster.com/?125048
>
>I admit I'm a bit over the top, but I never had a pet (other than a turtle)
>as a child and I am enjoying our pet immensely. I recently found a picture
>of our foundress, Mother Xavier, with her dog Captain. In recent years,
>dogs have been laregely f frowned up as convent residents, but Noreen
>swears that her blood pressure is perfect now from all the walking. I
>myself enjoy how much the walks are encouraging new poetic directions.
>
>
I firmly believe that animals of a reasonable size belong in every
office. I COULD say this offsets the negative impact of the biped
animals in the place, but let's try to be charitable. Animals humanize
us by reminding us of vulnerability; and every day with them is a gift.
Personally I would like an office cat. I have heard that there are
studies of the medical and psychological benefits of pet ownership: it
lowers the blood pressure, offers a responsibility anchor even to the
self-absorbed, and allows you to get your mind off your precious
selfselfself. The hardest part (for me) of qualifying an adoption
prospect is trying to discern whether that person is in it because he or
she loves animals and is willing to assume the responsibility for a
life, or because the cat or dog will be an accessory like a diamond
pinky ring.
I watched a four-year old show (John Ritter was the narrator) on the New
Jersey Network last night about how dogs are prepared for their training
as guide animals for the blind. It takes a year of socialization with a
family before they are even ready for the training, most of which is
focused on working with the blind man or woman to whom they will be
assigned. Usually they are German Shepherds, Labradors, or Golden
Retrievers: very smart and basically even-tempered dogs who can be
trained to be totally unflappable. Me, I wanted every puppy I saw:-).
Definition of selflessness?--being willing after a year to give up a
puppy you've fallen in love with because the dog's purpose in life is
not ultimately about you.
Dogster looks great. Can anyone put their dog up there?
Ken
--
Kenneth Wolman
Proposal Development Department
Room SW334
Sarnoff Corporation
609-734-2538
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