Blue Dogs and their Benevolence

A couple of weeks ago I was chatting it up with a staff member and disclosed a particular question I wasn’t so sure I wanted answered.  Nearly ten years ago the board of trustees I currently serve purchased a book to be shelved in the library of my choosing in honor of my late sister.  At the time, my oldest child was just in kindergarten so his elementary school was the logical choice; actually the preferred choice.  So, I’m rambling along the other day with my colleague and somehow detoured to one of my “I wonder” moments.  I shared with her the whole background on my sister’s illness, how she passed on Christmas day, how I was surprised my boss and workmates showed up for the funeral unannounced, and how I thanked them later for being there.  My “wonder” because I could never bring myself to verify was if the book ever made its way into that library.

As I was winding down earlier this week in the office and sifting through the snail mail, I had to sit down for one package in particular.  There, among all the other mailings, was a book that had been sent to me through our interoffice mailing system.  The book’s title, ‘Are You Blue Dog’s Friend?’, was a show stopper.  The story itself is for another day but the artist was a favorite of my sister – George Rodrigue.  And, as tangible proof, the book, while well worn,  had all its pages.  It was my sister’s dedication book…

With apologies to non-dog people, this post is all about canines.  George Rodrigue, the artist, would himself pass in 2013.  His wife Wendy has journaled extensively about their time together and provides great narration on how this legend came to be.  I suspect all states have their “thing” that residents embrace and as a native Louisianan, we certainly have plenty of those “things.”  Blue Dogs in Cajun Country go hand in hand.

On a more scientific note, I was reading this article yesterday that debates the science behind canine emotions.  I’m not sure how we would challenge any of the assertions but the main point here is your dog really does love you, and he or she definitely has favorites.  In my household, there is quite a distance between my wife who is the #1 fav for Lucy and everyone else.

So readers of this post may be starting to question where this is all going; what’s so special about a K-12 blog now drifting on to dogs?  I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen some pretty amazing instant congregations when a dog is introduced to the circumstance, particularly when kids are present.  The dogs will always react to the vibe of the crowd, often hesitant at first but then warm as the crowd welcomes, and by the end of the introduction there is competition for the dog’s attention.  Teachers have the same effect on our kids, and certainly at a more organic level.  Teachers, in general, welcome all comers, and have the uncanny skill of knowing just when to cut you off while still letting you have your say.  They are also experts in matching personalities so that everyone has a friend.  For me, it started with an illustration that manifested to a brown, mouthy lab that served as a needed benediction.  For countless kids, teachers are the mirrors that reflect to them the future, a future filled with promise.  They provide students with their own special dedications each and every day…