A happy little project of mine, which heretofore has been only to serve my own joy, is the documenting of my Douglas as a bona fide period Talbot. He be a "throwback" of accidental proportions : > . One of the greyt ironies of Dougie's "talbotness" is that it is very much indeed a product of the mixing of different breeds, which in itself is actually quite "medieval". And, though in Doug's case his birth was due to the Missouri problem of unfixed stray and loose dog population (loose as in "owned" dogs that are left unfixed and to wander the urban streets or open country side....not "loose" as a judgment on the dog or bitch's sexual morals! Oy vez mear! We don't bring up Mama's shady past in wee Dougie's presence!!! : D ), and not due to the intentional breeding of these different dog types, whose characteristics a medieval hound keeper would wish to perpetuate and/or intensify, Doug was nonetheless born not only looking identical to many illuminations of talbot I have seen, but also, remarkably so to me, possessing the qualities and propensities that were ascribed to them! And the metaphysical irony to Dougie's fate is that his salvation was to lie in the company of greyhounds, and his extreme affinity for them. Just like his "accidental ancestors". I realize that all this will be of no interest whatsoever to those of you now discussing your pure (?) breds, breeding, shows, titles, and how it all can be traced to the former Middle Ages; thus making your hounds (and my own greyhounds included) legitimate members of the pup-ulace in the eyes of the SCA. But, I was bursting to share all this in our current conversation, because my Dougie, he gives me such naches! I know my true and noble and anciently beautiful Douglas will never have the privilege of thrilling the hearts of royalty upon the coursing fields at Gulf Wars. But, I also know that my purebred <G> mutt, and accidental Talbot, once bravely and quickly put himself between me & Lucy and an attacking dog. The vicious dog was charging straight for Lucy (with me beside her), I think most probably because she was on three legs. He would have taken Lucy out before I could have done anything...if anything (though I swear upon all that is holy I would have gone down trying). Douglas body slammed and rolled that dog tail over head like a line-backer! My gentle Dougie! This all a mere week after I met this Doug, who was scheduled to be euthanized the evening of the day of our meeting because he was "hopeless and unadoptable"; yet, was fatefully spared that evening so that he might save another dog's life with a blood transfusion. It gave him a brief reprieve and me time enough to realize that I must try to save his life, though I then did not realize that my daily prayers for this dog to find a true home which would understand him and not abandon him again were to be answered at my own hearth side! But, Lucy and Aidan knew! The day they patiently taught him how to play like a dog, and dare, oh dare, to be happy, and have his first moment of being carefree, was when the sun finally rose upon the dark journey that had been Doug's life. So, although Douglas will more than likely never be recognized in the SCA as anything, he is forever my Knight and Champion. We have adventures enough. And, I will "document" him because this Dougie of mine, he gives me such naches!!! Greyt Regard to All Here, Mevanwy and Douglas and Ambrose de Courtecadeno (who LOVE Salukis, by the way (such athletes the world has never seen in man nor beastie), and Deerhounds (oy, I'm plotzing! Don't get me started on my "dream dog"!), and Borzoi (such Divas, even if they're guys!), and Sloughis ( lovely, but a wee bit "noivus"), and Afghans (enchantingly ditsy!): All of which I've had the privilege and the thrill of slipping to la chasse in mundane coursing events! But, "big ups" to our also beloved Corgies (Pembroke and Cardigan), Shiba Inus, Dachshunds, Whippeties, Beagles, and so on! I've taken care of all these fine fellowes in my pet sitting career!)
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