By Tom Cushing
E-mail Tom Cushing
About this blog: The Raucous Caucus shares the southpaw perspectives of this Boomer on the state of the nation, the world, and, sometimes, other stuff. I enjoy crafting it to keep current, and occasionally to rant on some issue I care about deeply...
(More)About this blog: The Raucous Caucus shares the southpaw perspectives of this Boomer on the state of the nation, the world, and, sometimes, other stuff. I enjoy crafting it to keep current, and occasionally to rant on some issue I care about deeply. My long, strange career trip has included law and management jobs in two Fortune 50 companies, before founding the legal search and staffing firm Cushing Group, Recruiters. I've lectured on negotiation and settlement strategy, and teach graduate courses at Golden Gate University (Adjunct of the Year for a doctoral seminar on business, law and society). Illinois, Texas and California (Inactive) admitted me to law practice; I hold JD and MBA degrees from the University of Illinois, and a BGS from the University of Michigan, with Distinction. There -- Go Blue! Personally, my daughters are a lawyer in NY, and a pre-med student in NM - their lives-and-times often animate these columns. I'm active in animal advocacy matters, having led a citizen team that took Alameda's city animal shelter to a non-profit operation - we saved $600K annually and the lives of some 700 companion animals/year vs. the City's best alternative. I'm delighted with that success. My family has re-homed 144 foster animals over many years; we host four boisterous border collies of our own. Mostly for humane movement efforts, I was nominated for GQ magazine's 2009 Better Men, Better World Award. You may notice that many of my rants relate to critter issues. In addition to the Raucous Caucus blog, I frequently contribute to The BARK magazine, and am a proud Moderator emeritus on the popular news and humor website
www.Fark.com. I prefer scotch over imported beer
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Some guy who styles himself The Dogfather asked me for the favor of publishing this doggerel -- set to
Scott McKenzie's classic paean to our fair City by the Bay. It would have been disrespectful to decline, 'though he should really apologize to the late singer.
If you're going to Dan-ville's parade,
Be sure to leave your loving Fido home.
It's way too hot, and shade there is not --
Heat stroke's just an awful way to go.
Your dog's not built for Dan-ville's parade
He only sweats by panting with his tongue.
There's too big a crowd; shotguns are too loud.
Summertime he won't be lovin' there.
All across the nation,
Such a sad situation,
Pets in a panic ?
Yearly on this occasion,
Shelters face inundation,
Pets in a panic,
They run when they're frantic ?
For those who come to Dan-ville's parade,
Be sure to leave your Fido safe at home.
A cool dark spot, and water (a lot!)
Summertime he'll be a lovin' there!
July 4th is no picnic for your pets -- it may be their Worst day of the year. Please, please keep your pups away from the parade; if you think the air's hot for you -- and it's forecast for up-to-triple digits -- try walking barefoot on the asphalt, in a fur coat. Dogs are also creatures of habit and routine -- even if Fido is well-socialized around home and the dog park, the chaos of a parade is dramatically different. It can provoke fear and annoyance behaviors, the consequences of which are Your fault.
Later, be sure your pets are cool and Securely contained when you go out to enjoy fireworks. They're better escape artists than you know --I once had a dog go out the accordion closure of a second-floor window fan, and all he wanted to do was take a swim on a sultry day. Soothing music may help.
Every year, panicked pets die on the road, or in shelters over-burdened by runaways. Don't let that be your companion.
And thanks!
