I have posted some comments left in reference to an op-ed I wrote for The New York Times, May 6, on small dogs, because Ii have noothere way to respond to the people, and I think it rude not to do so. Primarily, I want to say thank you, and to add, in response to Meg, that the Pekingese was apparent in the Chinese imperial court by the first millennium A.D., and the Colima culture of Central Mexico had a small hairless dog around 250 B.C. that was used for food but also a trade object and bed warmer for people with rheumatism . It may have been a pet as well. Breeding being imperfect, hairless dogs were sometimes created with the help of resin and tar, while Pekingese were bound from the time they were small puppies in wire cages.
Original Post
For obvious reasons, I don't publish my e-mail address, but your comments do come to me. If you want a direct response, however, please include your e-mail address in the body of your comment. I will respond to you and also block publication of your note and, thus, your e-mail address. I'm sorry to be so convoluted, but thus is the world in which we find ourselves--violence rampant.
Original Post
For obvious reasons, I don't publish my e-mail address, but your comments do come to me. If you want a direct response, however, please include your e-mail address in the body of your comment. I will respond to you and also block publication of your note and, thus, your e-mail address. I'm sorry to be so convoluted, but thus is the world in which we find ourselves--violence rampant.
3 comments:
Hi Mark -
Loved you Op-Ed in the NYT today. As a dog lover and small dog owner (Miniature Longhaired Dachshund) I'm always interested in dog history and current trends. I am also a dog artist and blogger. I linked to you and your book on my blogDog Art Today"...
http://dreamdogsart.typepad.com/art/
Please feel free to keep me posted on any new dog books, articles, events or ideas you would like to promote on my site. And link back if you're so inclined.
Best regards,
Moira McLaughlin
mxaxm@sbcglobal.net
Los Angeles, CA
Loved your article in the NY Times today. Kudos to you for stressing the importance of responsible breeders. What a shame that they will be going the way of the dinosaur if this new legislation in CA passes :(
Mark,
Just read your op-ed piece in NYT and wanted to comment.
My first papillion, Rider, was in obedience competition for his CD, and came in second to a guy who was competing with a golden retriever. After the award ceremony, he said, 'I would never have a small dog; except, maybe, for my fiancee'. My reply was, 'It takes a big man to have a small dog'. I do believe this is true.
Of interest is you comment on 'the sleeve dog' as being Chinese. I believe it was originally European based and identified as a papillion (known as the squirrel dog and contintal toy spaniel) . These sleeve dogs appear simultaneously. It is believed that this coindence in portrait inclusion, from the 10th century onward, is rumored that the knight crusader's brought them back to their lady loves. Or, to say 'I'm sorry for being away for so long'. Hence, the inclusion of the papillion, in many court paintings, within the same era, from Italy, France, Netherlands, and later in Spain.
To my knowledge, the Chinese had no small dogs that were referenced in literature and paintings. For centuries, dogs were raised for personal consumption and the 'dog markets' were in existance into the early 20th century. However the Chinese 'war dogs' were legandary and mentioned thorughout history especially by the great Mongol generals.
Errata: My AKC champion, Rider, went on to win his CD, was ranked 14th in the nation, and acquired certifications as a Canine Good Companion, International Pet Therapy Dog (regularly visited nursing homes, rehab centers, hospital patients), and represented is two dog clubs in national competitions.
Let's hear it for the big dogs in small packages!!!
Regards,
Meg
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