The Backyard Zoo

by Jim Dunlap

"Dog Show"

Those of you to whom I have spoken more than once might know that I really love cats (snicker, snicker!). You might also know that I have an inexplicable, enigmatic, irrational, unfathomable, and just plain strange fear of dogs. I will chat with a cheetah, talk to a tiger, and when asked if I speak in rhinoceros, I will answer "Of courserous," but I stay away from dogs. Last week I had a baptism by fire. My cable show, "Animals, Animals" was entirely dog guests.

First, in true television fashion, we had a doggie make over. Monica Patterson, first class professional groomer for the Pet Palace here in Plano, brought a thing called a Yorkie. In a matter of minutes, armed only with scissors and comb, she transformed a small unkempt hairball into a smaller ball of stylistic fur topped with a bow and a ribbon. This canine had a vicious look on his face, so I kept my distance.

Then there was Brenda Gasperich, vice-president of Greyhounds Unlimited. That organization finds homes for retired racing greyhounds or those animals that are deemed by breeders as not track worthy. Greyhounds chase a chunk of fur on a stick, around a track, at 45 miles per hour. I remember as a boy I once ran that fast. It involved a place I should not have been fishing, a farmer with no sense of humor, and a grain of rock salt that was 12 gauge propelled. Maybe it’s just me, but every time I see one of those greyhounds I get this urge to administer first aid or at least counciling. They should eat more.

It was a great show, but you can be the judge, so watch "Animals, Animals, Dogs And Their Pets." It will air Monday, February 11, 2002 at 5:00 pm on AT&T BROADBAND, channel A14.

Main Page