DISQUS

Maybe you can shoot for remarkable but I'm not sure you can build wonder. Wonder is something you NOTICE----its the universe's marketing secret. Looking at something that takes your breath away.,..like your children for instance and we know even Disney falls short in the "wonder" department. Hope you continue to have a Wonderfilled trip...

What a great story--one both you and the cab driver had the opportunity to share throughout you day. I wonder how the cab driver shared the story with her family.

Big sigh of relief. This weekend, I needed a word press theme, and remembered you had talked about one that you" really like" so I google which theme it was, spent the money and downloaded it based on your recommendation. When I opened my Google Reader and saw it was still your favorite, that was very good news! Can not wait to try it out or rather can not wait for my web designer to try it out! I think it going to work great for my new blog.

I had exactly this problem today and after finally being told to get the contract in or lose the auctioneer--I headed over to Staple--lost fax number. I am reading every one of the comments and betting someone has a solution!

Interesting. I think you can breed a lot of the same characteristics, looks, and temperament into or out of a dog. However, I don't think you will ever replace exactly what you have lost after all you have to factor in the human element. The owners of Lancy have change and this change will be reflected in their relationship with Lancelot, this alone will bring out different personality traits. Having said all this, I don't think it’s wrong, and I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone else how to spend their money. Except of-course Peta, who I would like to tell to give their SuperBowl money to the local shelters and do something right for a change. Just my opinion, of-course.

A good breeder--will only breed a strong line--for health and temperament. There first interest is in maintaining the standard of the breed. Have breeders failed at this over the years. Of-course, .and there is no end to the people willing to talk about the "bad breeder." The German Sheppard’s hips, the bull dog or pug nose.
I see nothing wrong in not allowing certain characteristics for health or beauty to continue in a breeding line. A white Doberman with a several missing teeth, a white spot on a back leg could lead to a black and white dog over time or a Doberman with a bite that is not correct. A good breeder will sell these pups to caring homes where showing dogs is not important to the owners and they can live an exceptional life .AKC will certainly register them and their owners can show them in obedience or any number of AKC events if that’s their desire. Some dogs are breed more for obedience work, or agility than beauty. Or maybe the dog with the white spot, will be the top rated agilely dogs. My mother’s Dobermans are shown for every AKC title, and UK title possible and they also are shown in some cases for Breed or “Beauty.”
I love a beautiful dog--in movement, coat, temperament. The sporty I have a winning attitude Beagle that sweep Westminster last year is an example as our some of the more glorious dogs that have won in years past. Shelter dogs in need of adoption are not their because of breeders or AKC they are there because of irresponsible breeding and ownership.
So many of my campers are rescued by families picking them out from the local shelter—and I love to tell their stories. I also like to make sure that my Bouvier, Standard Poodles, Doberman, owners to sought out the perfect purebred dogs stories get told. Because as we all agree--ARE DOGS ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL!
I think the objection lies more with the AKC most popular dog list, I have never agreed with the list. One example would be a small dog that was in the top ten for years but also happened to be in the top ten for biting. Go figure. Labs always rank high—however they also rank high in energy and shedding---I think we need to make our own list and I will certainly include the “mutts”if you will add a few purebred dogs—starting with the most wonderful of all my Parson’s Terrier! Moving right along to the Doberman that I co-own that is just few months shy of the show ring.
And I would agree that Max and Remy are mighty fine looking mutts!!

Everyone entering at dog show thinks their dog is the absolute best..even when the judge does not agree with them. Don't you think that about your dog? Does that make you a snob? Or did we just find common ground?

I have purebred dogs. My interests are in dogs I can show in both breed and obedience. While there may be nothing cuter or even more beautiful than mix breed dogs, I want a beautiful dog that is standard to the breed and yes the breeders set the standard through AKC (primarily) .
AKC is far from perfect and breeders sometime do breed the wrong traits in and out of a breed to make them more attractive to the human eye. However, I have known many more good breeders than bad and while AKC is far from perfect they do put money and time into the rights of all responsible dog owners and spend even more money on breed specific rescue.
The most popular dog list AKC publishes each year naturally reflects the popularity of the purebred dog. This list may used for unscrupulous means however designer dogs and puppy mills are not the fault of AKC for producing the list. Perhaps it does make education more difficult, however in my experience people buying from pet stores do so more impulse than on research of any kind.
Interesting that Westminster Dog Show is heavily promoted by AKC, sponsored by Pedigree and the advertising is focused on adoption and shelters.
There is no honor in owning a purebred dog or a mix breed dog, there is only finding the “right” dog for you and your family. Spending our resources and energy promoting “right” dog ownership could go along ways towards responsible ownership which ends in that the Happy Ever After Ending we want for all our beloved pets!

Just my two barks worth!

Thanks for sharing this story--it was a opportunity to once again point out to my 12 year old how it was important it is to watch what he says on-line--even "grown-ups sometimes forget....." and the best rule of thumb especially if you want to do business with someone is if you can not say something nice....don't say anything at all.

My father in law a Chicago Fire Chief, who I'm crazy about, passed away 1 year ago yesterday. Recently, when I felt like I was not getting a quick enough answer from someone and rushed to follow an e-mail with a phone call,I heard the smile in his voice asking "where is the fire, I don't see any smoke?." with a giggle, I put down the phone and realized I could wait.

Just love stories about nice people, I was reading through my RSS feeder and all of a sudden your post popped up---and I thought--"how nice"...and it was!

Yes, I would buy them, and I would cherish and love them..For God Sake I live
in Chicago.

Learning to perfect the question, will be one of my goals for 2009. In order to ask a good question, you need to listen well--so its a two part goal.
If it weren't for Twitter, I never would have found Chris Brogan, and if I had not followed you and your passion for sharing this past year, I may never have met Ann Handley, who always leaves me wishing for more...Jon Swanson's who calms and inspires, Liz Strauss who brings energy to my day and is from Chicago. Those are just a few of the of the many wonderful people you introduced me too!
Thanks Chris. Happy New Year to you and your Family!

This post has inspired me to find away to make my holiday card not only visually fun but to make it helpful. In fact, its a good question to ask myself, every time I send something out...is it helpful not only from my point of view, but from the point of view of the receiver.
Thanks for being helpful!

Next we will be asking if underage IPhoners should be allowed to buy IBeer. It's pretend, people.

Ok--but how do you get all the streams to flow into the ocean. I'm not sure I understand, but if what you are saying is that it is important to have everything end up in one place (blog, maybe) how do you manage that information so that it moves towards that one place? For me one of the biggest challenges of being introduced to so many "streams" is managing and organizing that information effectively. When it comes to stream management....I feel like I am swimming upstream.

It sounds like both the dog and police officer overreacted. Shooting at the dog was perhaps overkill (no pun intended) However, if we are to blame the deed and not the breed than we have to be clear that the responsibility to keep the dog from harming or behaving in a threatening manner towards the officers was the owners responsibility.
All dogs can act out under stress or when they feel threatened, it is up to the owner to keep their dog safe from these types of situations. While the vet was lacking in empathy, the police department certainly seemed to act fairly and take responsibility for overreacting. I hope the children involved, were not blamed but perhaps consoled, and a discussion about responsible dog ownership was forthcoming, especially for the benefit of the 12 year old. In fact, It seems everyone involved could learn a little more about how to react in the case of an aggressive dog.

LOl---now this bully is true to his breed! Bless his heart--that is one mean tree branch

This was fascinating! Cute video

Kenn,
If you have Cockers, I am going to put my foot in my mouth...they are hard to house break, bite more often than not--most especially children, can and are often neurotic....and are dam difficult to housebreak....and the owners are often the same! Well I am not sure about the owners housebreaking habits. Yes, I know there are some lovely Cockers--I have just not meet many. With the exception of one sweetie named Charlie--but she is English and very well bred!!

Beagles on the other hand are complete charmers--and so are there owners (I own a beagle!)

LOL--I think I will refrain from adding my web site on this one!!

I don't know if it could have been prevented...but I sure would not watched and been one of those that did not try. Moderating is a responsibility, and even if it is overdone, I think I would take a second look at anyone threatening suicide--could be drama....and then again maybe not.

Perhaps the "real world" connection is more valuable than any of the other sights mentioned--and it seems most of the "All Stars" that you mentioned, including yourself are "on" the "real world." I asked Seth Godin a question in an e-mail and had an answer in 1/2 day--and I have found this kind of generosity across the board from the real "players." If you opt out of Friend Feed,or any other site... but work in a lunch, or a phone call you might otherwise not have had time for, seems like a gain to me.

I hate Bob's company or at least his description of it (that is more mature...) but then in general I am not a big fan of rules and squashing creativity. I'm an IBM brat and they were very good to my family for my dad's 30 plus years with them but it made me keenly aware of what you give up when your work in a corporate environment.

We have a trampoline but have yet to have a camper that enjoyed this much! What fun this pup is having!

Wow! That was quite a picture you created. Even "those people" might get it.