We're halfway through the Summer Contest Series and many of you are in a race to get your hands on a US$50 gift certificate. Congratulations to last week's winners. Keep it up. The winner will be announced September 10th and there is lots of time to overcome the first place contestant who's guessed correct all four weeks. Will she falter this week?
In fact, it's possible that if you haven't participated in the contest until now you could still win. So, if you know what kind of airplane this is on your left, click E-Mail Me and give me the name. By name I mean type, as in make and model number (e.g. Airbus 330, Boeing 737). This week is tough. Good luck!
Last week's picture was of a gorgeous female Boston Terrier. This is my all-time favorite breed of dog and seeing this one's face makes me want to reach through the screen and pick her up. When I was about seven my Dad received a call from his brother in Canada asking if we'd want a Boston Terrier (aka Boston Bull) of our own. We'd visited my uncle's family on vacation the summer before and fallen in love with his dog, Pug. Amazingly my Dad said yes (he was one of those Dads that vowed "never, ever" to have a dog).
All four of us piled into the car and drove through the night to Ottawa to meet our new sister. Brindle (she was a rare brown and white Boston Terrier) had been left on my relative's doorstep by someone who knew we'd take good care of her. I can still see her stretched out, lounging in the backseat between my brother and me on the drive back to Boston. Over the years she became a big part of our family. We will never forget her.
I was with her a couple of nights before we had her put to sleep. She curled up at the bottom of my bed (under the blankets) for the last time. I won't forget how foolish I must have looked and sounded as I sang a prayer for her with tears streaming down my face. Brindle brought us joy and laughter, comfort in pain, and energy when we were tired. In those moments I could relate to people who have their pet stuffed or pay for expensive funerals (we did neither). Life will never be the same without Brindle.
Why don't we just get another one? Well, my parents should. Ling and I would love to have one in Hong Kong, and everytime we see one on the street my heart jumps, but our apartment is not conducive to having a dog, especially when we travel. But a part of the reason is no doubt this: which Boston Terrier could ever replace our Brindle?
Should you happen to be pup shopping I highly recommend this cute-if-not-ugly, short haired, highly intelligent, mild mannered, fun loving, committed to you in good times and bad brand: a Boston Terrier.