Dog Day Dream

Do you ever get lonely for something you know you can't have? I do.

The other night, the missus and me were canoodling on the couch and musing on how nice it would be to have a dog. Alas, all three of us are highly allergic to dust and dander. Popping Sudafed all day every day is not an option. A pooch will not hunt in our house.

One can dream. This clip from Chris Marker's film, Sans Soleil, illustrates beautifully why dogs are so great to have around.You take them to the beach and they frolick in the surf while you stroll. Easy living.

Every year, I teach at least one American lit survey course. Death in the Woods by Sherwood Anderson is a classic story about...what? An old lady who lived a hard life? No, it's about the wonder of dogs and their connection to us. As the old girl lies dying in the snow, the dogs engage in a primal dance in the moonlight, calling her out of her slumber to keep them from returning to the wolf of their ancestors. After she dies, the dogs take the food she's carried on her back and leave her in the snow. They don't mean anything by it.

I hope that medicine cooks up something real good for those of us who want a dog but our sinuses won't allow it.