Young Dogs Rule!

The two Jack Russells were strutting their stuff on the sidewalk - one in purple and the other in a pink polka dot blanket. The yipping began when they spotted Buddy, nose immersed in a snow bank hoping for a sniff of, well, anything. You'd thought they were 100 pounds of Rottweiler or Pit Bull. But no, just two scrawny wannabees disturbing the peace. But Bud doesn't return barks, just tail wags and strong interest. At five years old he's content to observe but not lead. Yet its clear that the young dogs rule the walk and the field. Old dogs just fade away. Not much different than society.

Young dogs ruled when Obama became president and when Mubarek became the un-president. The future of everything belongs to youth. And why not? That which they want will be that which they will have to deal with. The Grammys - awards given to best new song, album and group are all about the now and the future. Oh yeah, Bob Dylan got two minutes to mumble something about the unfairness of society but was drowned out by Lady Gaga, Eminem and Justin Bieber - average age 19 - all singing about hoped-for relationships.

The most powerful force on Earth is neither gravity nor compound interest (sorry Albert Einstein). It's Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging, cell phones and IPads! Phone calls and letters are as obsolete as emails and barks. Folks past 40 don't get the significance of social networking. To them its cruising the crowd at a singles bar or the drive-inn hamburger joint. Real social networking is much more than sharing photos of little Ryan - precious as he is - but it is to declare winners and losers among world leaders, authors, designers, styles, videos, singers, chefs, restaurants, cars, gadgets and . . . . . . yes, friends.

The digital world is brutally cruel, yet honest. Survival of the fittest and, somewhere, Charles Darwin must be smiling. Yet it is also inherently fair. It is the future. Those who have denied the future are destined not to participate in it. Anyone who doubts and ignores this is destined to oblivion. It's not the Anti-Christ or even the devil. While the elders complain and object, young religious leaders deftly manipulate IPads with vastly more information than floppy Bibles every could. Followers, faithful or not, have access to daily inspiration for action: to organize, to follow, to oust, to install, to inspire, to buy, to sell to like and not to like.

It's information and . . . information is power. Those who transit in the dark and the depths will, eventually, be exposed like frauds on Wikipedia. This is also the power to devastate or at least de-friend. Friends on a bright sunny day become alien outcasts on another bright sunny day. You can't take it personally. In the world of telephones and letters, unfriending was, well, awkward and impolite. Today it's just business.

Whoever said that "youth is wasted on the young." was someone who wasted her youth and now wants to get in on the game. The game of youth is energy and passion and doing today what you won't and can't do tomorrow. To have the whole future of the world laying before you is like having your lover in your arms as you lay out your life together. Passion, love, commitment and singleness of purpose are vowed. While at once sacred and beautiful more often it becomes the path not taken. The vow not kept as the passion is doused with reality.

Yes, young dogs rule until the yet younger dogs appear. Those young dogs of today will be the sotten and defeated dogs of tomorrow. Dogs have the instincts to know when a new ruler comes on the scene. The pecking order of the pack is ... well . . . . . impeccable. There is little, if any, dissent. Yesterday's youth shuffle to the rear content to support the youthful leader. Why is it so hard for us? To dream events that seem impossible is to inspire the pack forward toward achievement. Yet, old dogs can neither create nor capture a vision of the future. This is best left to young dogs. After all, we trained them. What is there to fear?

Buddy and Friend (for now)

WHY DOGS LOVE WEDDINGS

Buddy knew something was up.  His bed, food and dishes were being loaded into the car while he was still in the house.  Soon he joined his earthly belongings in the car.  Head stuck outside the lowered back window, nose pointing into the cold night air rushing at him at 35 miles per hour,  we drove the short distance to visit J. J., a shiny Black Lab.  Buddy would employ his good social skills to gain the run of the house with J.J. during Jenny's wedding in Atlanta.

Diana, JJ's mom asked if Buddy went alone to other rooms during the day?  "No Ma'm, no need to go looking for him.  He'll be as close as hosiery to a leg - your leg."  Buddy's a family dog.  Our family.  Your family.  The neighbor's family.  And, with those great social skills, he would absolutely love the wedding.  Why there are people hugging, talking,  walking, dining, dancing, laughing and smiling - broadly.  Bud has all of those skills and more.  Need your hand or foot licked?  Need that dropped Asiago cheese and cracker picked up?  Want a few white hairs on your pants?   Bud's on it.  Labs are bred to be part of a family and nothing defines family more than a wedding!

Jenny married Brian last Saturday in Atlanta.  Jenny grew up in Fort Wayne while Brian grew up in Los Angeles.  This was not two high school sweethearts reconnecting.  More like the forces that guides most couples to connect: friends and fate.  Like a field of dreams to which "people will most definitely come", a wedding is the most time honored ceremony cementing bonds of affection and creating relationship stability.  Few traditions have survived since the ascent of humans like marriage and weddings.  Oh, did I mention the party?  While Buddy gets the benefit from the stability, he would love the party!

That's why they came from L.A., Wellington, Glendale, Sleepy Hollow, Boston, Minneapolis, New York, Fort Wayne and Atlanta.  It was as if their presence was required to validate the latest evidence of what they have always known to be true and good.  Cousins and cousins-in-law, aunts and uncles, sorority sisters, teammates, colleagues, dear friends and of course parents.  Early in the party older guests were honored with music they could actually remember and dance to.  A marriage longevity contest yielded an aunt and uncle married 45 years.  "During the rough patches, look for the good parts" was the advice given to the newly minted couple and by inference to the rest of us.  Good advice for all relationships.

Lady Gaga, Jay-Z and others later graced the DJ's turntable ousting Andy Williams and Ray Charles as the witnesses' graceful two-step dances gave way to dancers' flailing arms and legs trying to summon the best for Jenny and Brian.  The ceremony and party satisfied tradition and guaranteed it would continue for others. 

Plenty of memories and predictions, laughs, drink and food, gifts, advice and best wishes.  Bud would have loved it, especially the fumbled  hors d' overes.  And so did we.  Our best wishes to Jenny and Brian.  Be sure to always look for the good in each other.