Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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JULY 16-22, 2014 UCW 5 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM We human beings love to categorize. It is a primal effort to make sense of the complex, fascinating and ultimately unknowable world we inhabit. We sort ourselves into all manner of groups. We sort by gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, size, hair color, dress — an endless list of differences and similarities. Over the years, I have developed a little sorting system of my own. Based on my experience and observations, the world can be divided into people who can do algebra and those who can do geometry, people who prefer silver and those who prefer gold and dog and cat lovers. I, an algebra whiz and a geometry mess, respect the cool elegance of silver but will more often opt for the warmth of gold, am a lifelong dog person. I remember every dog my family has ever had from Sam, the gun- and thunder-shy Weimaraner my father adopted because my sister was afraid of dogs, through Angel, Josh, Toto, Fannie, Brownie, Maggie, Nicky, Watson, Tap and Leroy. As I write this, Lilly the lovely Lab, has just finished her dinner and is settled in nearby for a digestive snooze. Often we go even deeper by dividing our categories into smaller categories — big dogs and little dogs, hunting dogs and working dogs, guard dogs and guide dogs, indoor dogs and ones you would never allow in the living room. We have shorthaired dogs and ones so fluffy you can hardly see them. Most of our dogs are mutts, mongrels, mixed breeds or — my favorite non- breed breed — a "Heinz 57." We also have recognized breeds embodying specific characteristics and whose ancestry we can trace by their "papers." Depending on who is counting, there are hundreds of unique breeds recognized in our country and thousands if we consider dogs from other parts of the world. Most dogs are special to me, but I learned the hard way that families with children, especially young ones, must choose carefully when bringing a dog into the home. My beloved, but elderly West Highland Terrier, inherited from my mother which made him dearer still, had no patience with a baby Precious Jewel who crawled up to him and grabbed his face. He promptly bit that baby on the cheek — way to close to his eye for this mother's comfort. I knew then that not all dogs are right in all households. So which dogs do work for families? According to Pet 360, a website about all sorts of pets, the top 10 dogs for children are below in reverse order. NO peeking ahead! 10. Bulldog. A sturdy and laid-back companion, he loves to roughhouse and is happy in houses large and small. Despite a sometimes intimidating face, he is friendly and loyal and plays well with others, human and otherwise. 9. Beagle. Also sturdy and friendly, he is smart and energetic and loves to play with people and other pets. He is a particularly good fit in active households. 8. Bull Terrier. This one was a surprise to me, but these terriers were actually bred as companion dogs and love both children and adults. They are good fits in households with young children who are just learning how to treat all of God's creatures. 7. Collie. These are gentle, trainable and rarely aggressive dogs, which makes them attractive for families with little doggie experience. They want to please their owners and protect their families, and — no — you do not have to name yours Lassie. 6. Newfoundland. Huge, patient and loving critters they are good with children. My own editorial comment, though, is that they are called Newfoundlands because that is where they come from, and their hairy coats evolved to see them through Newfoundland winters. North Carolina is simply too hot for these wonderful dogs. 5. Vizsla. I had never heard of these dogs, which look a bit like a brown Weimaraner. Pet 360 says they are great for energetic families with older children, because they need regular exercise. They are confidant and smart and — blessedly — do not have much "doggy" smell. 4. Irish Setter. These beautiful red dogs are energetic and love people, including children. They are smart and trainable and love a big yard for exercising. 3. Poodle. These dogs come in various sizes, including the pocketbook pooch favored by celebrities. Standard poodles are among the most intelligent dogs, friendly, gentle, patient and loyal. They shed very little, making them great in households with allergies, but the trade-off is regular grooming lest their hair get totally out of control. 2. Labrador Retriever. What can I say about Lovely Lilly the Lab? Sweet, patient, loving, reliable and has a big "woof." Loves to swim and is not called a retriever for nothing. Her first word was "ball." 1. The Golden Retriever. Not as big as Lovely Lilly but a smart, loyal and kind dog. Neither shy nor aggressive, he fits in most families and his high energy level lets him keep up with everyone, large and small. I wonder whether there is a similar list for cat lovers…. Woof, Woof! by MARGARET DICKSON MARGARET DICKSON, Contributing Writer, COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com.. 910.484.6200. THIS WEEK WITH MARGARET Serving Fayetteville Over 50 Years! 484-0261 1304 Morganton Rd. 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