Dog Art Today

Category: Dog Art Politics

  • John Edwards and His Breed Identity Problem

     

    John_edwards

    The problem with John Edwards is that he is a Black Lab…

    Obeylab4

    …trapped in a Papillion's body.

    Petcasso_papillion

    As adorable as that breed is…

    John_edwards_wendys

    …are we really ready for a Papillion to be our commander-in-chief?

    Petcasso_papillion_cu

    And, if tabloid rumors turn out to be true, then Edwards is just a d-o-g, dog, in the most pejorative sense of the word.

    (Obey the Black Lab poster available here. The gorgeous Papillion oil painting is by the super talented pet portrait artist, Petcasso.)

    8.8.08 Update:  John Edwards is NOT a dog.  I owe an apology to dogs.

  • Senator Joe Biden: Tramp

     

    Joe_biden

    I've had a long-time crush on Senator Joe Biden.  I think it's a combination of his twinkling Irish eyes, his ready smile, and the way he works his French cuffs to make a point.

    Biden_french_cuffs

    I'm even smitten by his loquaciousness, especially after learning he grew up with a stutter.  There are many pundits who believe he is truly the best man for the top job right now, especially in the wake of the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto.  Biden has been warning about the Pakistan "problem" for years.  And he is the only candidate with a concrete political solution for the future of Iraq.  But for some reason, as dashing and as bright as he is, his campaign has failed to get any traction.  I think it's because he's continually misunderstood like Tramp in Lady and the Tramp.

    Lady_and_tramp

    You will recall that Tramp is a mutt from the wrong side of the tracks (Biden was born to a working class family in Scranton, PA), who falls for Lady, a sweet Cocker Spaniel from a good home.  The film climaxes with Tramp trying to warn Lady's babysitter about a ferocious rat in the baby's room.  His barking is ignored and when he breaks into the house to kill the rat, he knocks over the baby in his crib by mistake.  He is immediately sentenced to the pound, before Lady's parents return, realize Tramp's heroics, and adopt him.  Biden, too, likes to bark his head off, but not without purpose as evidenced here as he fights to set a timetable for troop withdrawal in Iraq.

    He's often misunderstood, most recently exemplified by calling Senator Obama "clean."  He has survived the death of his wife and daughter, two cranial aneurysms and a derailed presidential run after a plagiarism charge.  But he still conveys an astounding optimism about America and passion for its future.  He's hoping to place 3rd in Iowa and stay in the race.  I hope, like Tramp, he has a happy ending on this campaign, but he might be too nice or too streetwise to make it to the oval office.  Maybe Obama, who never held the "clean" issue against him, will adopt him like Lady's parents did Tramp, and take him to the White House as VP.  Like spaghetti goes with meatballs, that might be just the ticket.

    Lady_tramp_spaghetti

  • Senator Chris Dodd: Asta

     

    Chris_dodd

    Senator Chris Dodd's clipped, deep-registered cadence always reminds me of a 30's gumshoe charmer.  And I'm not alone. Mark Leibovich of the NYT points out Dodd's magnificent handshake and calls him a "throwback to a presanctimonious era when politicians were not so intent on fashioning themselves outsiders and anti-politicians."  Blogger Chris Dahlen compares him to Cary Grant and likens his a retro appeal to a Brooks Brothers suit.

    In terms of dogs, Senator Chris Dodd is one of the most famous dogs of the 20th century, Asta the clever Wire Fox Terrier of "The Thin Man" series.

    Asta

     

    Asta on set

    Asta (born Skippy) was tenacious, perfectly groomed, and beloved by many a doting actress.  Did you know Senator Dodd dated Carrie Fisher and Bianca Jagger?

    Noraastanick

     

    Myrna Loy, Asta and William Powell of "The Thin Man"

    Asta also played Katherine Hepburn's dog George who buries Cary Grant's dinosaur bone in "Brining Up Baby."  By doing so, he saves them from their own foolish choices.

    Asta_george_skippy

     

    Asta as George in "Bringing Up Baby"

    Similarly, Dodd was the only campaigning Senator who flew back to Washington to stop Harry Reid's FISA legislation that would have given immunity to telecom companies that helped the government spy on us.  (wtf Harry Reid?!)  Dodd threatened a filibuster (like Jimmy Stewart's Mr. Smith) and after 10 hours railing against Reid and the Bush administration, Reid pulled the bill.  It was a great moment for Dodd and one I truly admire.

    Senator Dodd's seemingly insurmountable problem is that he's a 20th century star in a 21st century race.  And although I don't think Senator Dodd's campaign will have the Hollywood ending of a surprise win, he's shown himself to be a classy politician at a time when they just aren't making them like that any more.

  • Bill Richardson: Hector The Bulldog

    After watching hours of cable news election coverage and numerous debates, the only thing that sticks in my mind about Governor Bill Richardson is that he's suspiciously protective of Hillary Clinton.  He certainly isn't a waging a campaign to win the presidency.  So, many assume he's out there running for VP, obsequiously defending his meal ticket and changing the subject when she's "on the ropes."

    Bill_richardson

    He reminds me of muscle-bound Hector the Bulldog from the Merrie Melodies cartoons, charged by Granny to protect Tweety (and Granny herself sometimes) from Sylvester.

    Hector_the_bulldog

    But tied to a leash and hobbled by his own lack of imagination, Hector is usually outsmarted by the cagey cat, until Granny (Hillary?) comes home and with a few swift swings of her umbrella sets everyone straight.

    P.S. Look closely at the top photo and notice how Richardson's microphone "leash" is tied to a Hillary sign.

    P.P.S. Don't bother checking out his Richarson for President website. If he doesn't care about running a real campaign, why should you?

  • Dennis Kucinich: Frida Kahlo’s Itzcuintli Dog and Me

     

    In case you haven't been paying attention, Rep. Dennis Kucinich is married to a stunning 6 foot tall, pierced-tongued young Brit named Elizabeth.  Her mother is a healer.   She frequents thrift stores for her wardrobe needs.  She worked with mother Theresa in India.   And she's 31 years younger than Kucinich.

    Dennis_elizabeth_kucinich

    I think he is perfectly depicted as this Itzcuintli Dog, standing proudly in the shadow of another statuesque, worldly woman, Frida Kahlo.

    Kahlo22

    This 3000-year-old Mexican breed is thought to have mystical healing qualities and accompany souls to the next world.  Kucinich mirrors such mysticism through his friendship with Shirley MacLaine and his belief in UFOs.  He may be small in stature, but he's never afraid to stand strong for his often unpopular beliefs like his anti-war stance right from the start.  He's also not afraid to believe in the cosmic possibility of finding one's soul mate and falling in love in an unlikely, magical way.  Read more about his policies at Kucinich for President.

  • Dog Fight In Iowa

    Although I am political junkie, I promise to refrain from turning Dog Art Today into yet another political blog. But as the Iowa caucuses approach, I can’t help getting swept up into the race. So, I’ve decided to create a helpful election-year tool — my interpretation of each candidate based on a correlating piece of dog art. Here goes…