beingmichael's Blog

This is going to antagonize some of the big-dog bloggers I’m sure.

I saw Year of the Dog this past weekend at the Angelika.  If you don’t know about it yet, it’s a tightly written, funny, sad, weird Molly Shannon movie about love, human relationships and, yes, DOGS.

The only bad part about it (and I’m not sure it’s really bad) is the heavy handed animal rights agenda in which the movie is framed.  It’s no secret PETA is one of the sponsors of this film.  And the surprise ending is enough to make you wonder if you just sat through some hard core propaganda.

That said, the movie pokes some serious fun at so-called animal rights extremists.  And as I’ve thought back on it I suspect it was less a recruitment film for animal rights and more a celebration of folks on the fringe who love animals as much as (or more than) they love people.  If that comes as a surprise too, I can assure you there are many people in the dog world who will openly tell you they get along with dogs better than they get along with people.

I’m not one of them.  But some days it’s a toss up.  What about you?  People person?  Dog person?  Saw the movie and loved it?  Or did you hate it? 

 (Below: my dog at 14 weeks and at 9 years)

I received an email from my 21 year old nephew today (excerpt below).  His dad (my brother) died two years ago.  I lost my mom (his grandmother) 3 years ago.  In that time I've returned to Texas and his twin sister moved here as well to be closer to the core family. 

My Nephew's note reminds me of what family values really are whether your family is immediate, extended or chosen.  It's so much less about whom you love and so much more about how you love.

He writes: "What a great gift to have smart, caring, and honest people making up a family structure that is always changing, shifting, and progressing. I know this is a powerful time for all of us, for everyday is and will be. I'm thankful that when my day
is going hard my family is there, to lean on, with love that runs through the same blood!"

My nephew is a religious studies student in New Zealand.  He wrote this email after a personal journey on foot through the NZ rain forest.

Spend sometime with your family, whoever they are.  Then share a line or two on this blog.  What do family values mean to you?

I won’t lie.  I’m a dog person through and through.  That’s why 8 months ago I got a cat for my dog.  They love each other.  I love … the dog.

Don’t get me wrong.  The cat has a home for life.  No doubt about that.  But there are things about him I just “don’t get.”  He stalks an invisible creature behind the toilet with obsessive intensity.  He runs the gauntlet of vertical blinds in my apartment like it’s an Olympic sport.  Then, when I least expect it he scales my back, apparently to get a better view of what I’m typing on the computer (he’s eying me even now).

And he seems to know the limit of my rage.  After he’s emptied the garbage to recover the used q-tips for his personal collection;  After he’s sharpened his claws on my sock-clad foot; After I’ve chased him from my plate of food and seriously contemplated hurling him from my 5th floor window … he looks at me … purrs a bit … and licks my nose.

I melt and glance at my dog.  I’m certain she’s laughing at me.

 Please share your cat stories.  Better still … include your pictures.