Archive for December, 2008

Vicious Attack

December 5, 2008

Yesterday was a bad day.  Maybe it was day before.  The days tend to run together when you’re an older dog.  My younger sister Cosi, who is both strong and pretty, sweet and vicious, attacked me without provocation.  I was like the little white dog in this 1924 illustration by Gustaf Tenggren, in “The Good Dog Book”

Gustaf Tenggren--from The Good Dog Book--1924

Gustaf Tenggren--from The Good Dog Book--1924

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I didn’t do anything, she just attacked.  She is so deceptively sweet.  She looks just like this:

Dream-runner-Stella Looks just like Cosi

Dream-runner-Stella Looks just like Cosi

(This wonderful picture taken from a post called “Dream Runner”in a blog called “Dog Virgin Diaries“)

Check out those teeth and those strong jaws.  Not sweet digging into your flesh.  Well I was lucky because my mom was right there to save me.  Ever since I try to get under my daddys legs for safety — or hide in the ‘green room’ which is my parents easy-speak for the back poarch/storeroom.  My dad isn’t too happy that his beloved books are relegated to the dog-overflow room.  But that’s the way it is and we all have to accept some things we’d rather not.

Things could be worse.  The good old days were no better.  Check this out from 1898 where they shot dogs with bows and arrows for sport.  Michael Vick don’t get any ideas.

Archery with the Yumi Shooting a Dog -- Chikanobu--1898

Archery with the Yumi Shooting a Dog -- Chikanobu--1898

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This blogging software is frustrating me today, so let me end with a new take on a red dog, like me.  Here it is:

Georg Grosz--Suicide--1916

Georg Grosz--Suicide--1916

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George Grosz (1893-1959) was a German artist, whose art was often critical of the Germany of his day.  He was drafted into the German army in 1914 and after his experiences in the trenches developed a  loathing for German society  savagely reflected as satirical paintings and drawings that in his words expressed ‘despair, hate and disillusionment’.  This painting is surely no exception, for we see a dead body, a prostitute, and dogs roaming around the scene.

With a little luck, and if Cosi, my sister,  stays at bay, my next post may be more upbeat.

Have a good day.

Rita the dog

Schuler and Brazier

December 2, 2008

Today for your viewing pleasure and contemplation I bring you Earl Schuler’s poster, “Report Dog Bites”, commissioned in 1941 by the Cleveland Healt Department.  Here it is:

Report Dog Bites -- Earl Schuler -- 1941

Report Dog Bites -- Earl Schuler -- 1941

And, switching gears, a modern work of London based artist Richard Brazier.  This piece is at the National Portrait Gallery London.

Johnny and Glory -- Richard Brazier

Johnny and Glory -- Richard Brazier

I think this piece is from 2007 or 2008 but really I am just guessing.  Let me know if you have a date for it.

Keep on treking,

Rita the dog