The Catskill Chronicle

Twice Divorced – By Grayce Goin

Dear Twice Divorced:
I recently took my dog to the local dog park early on a Sunday morning. I went there knowing that a local group of rescued-greyhound owners brought them there to run. It is a sight I enjoy and my old dog just stays out of their way. A couple drove up in a van that appeared held together by rust and dressed as if they rummaged through a trash bin. Out of the van came four dogs, only one of which was visibly identifiable by me; it was an Irish Wolfhound. The couple settled down on a bench nearby me and I asked about their dogs. The lady proceeded to tell me all about her $5,000 Egyptian Pharaoh dogs, the Borzoi and the wolfhound, and how all the dogs here today were expensive purebreds except mine, of course, and then she looked down her nose at him. I think I responded that it was the best fifteen bucks I’d ever spent at that dog pound. What is it with these people who ask what breed he is, you tell them mutt and they get all puffed up about themselves and their expensive dogs? Mixed breeds are worthy of the same amount of love and care as any purebred in my opinion.
Mutt Lover and Proud of It

Dear Mutt Lover,
I don’t believe it has anything to do with the dogs, it has to do with the owners and their sad need to feel superior to anyone they can in any way they can. We have all known men who felt superior because of their car or super SUV or their brand of golf clubs, and women whose nose shot up because their jewelry or designer clothes were more expensive than those in her company. Then, of course, there is the seemingly universal unisex cry of “my kid is faster/smarter/better than yours.”
I find these attitudes to be almost a banner with huge letters saying: “I can’t let them see how inadequate and unworthy I truly am. They will despise me if they find out.” These people cannot be taken seriously on these issues and their attempts to belittle others should be ignored. Their value system is so far out of touch with what is truly important in this life that they are more to be pitied than ridiculed.
Be well.

Dear Twice Divorced:
I am down to two friends and two cats and one cat is sick.
Question – What do I do now?
Lonely Old Goat

Dear Lonely,
Based on the limited information provided, I can only suggest the following: get the cat to a veterinarian. Go back to using deodorant and mouthwash. Since you are obviously Internet capable, look for Old Goat organizations in your area; you could volunteer, get a part time job or just get together and swap Old Goat stories. And, of course, hold on tightly to those two friends (only after using the aforementioned deodorant and mouth wash).
Be well.

Dear Reader:
While it has become obvious over the last few weeks that this column is a popular one with you, we have heard very little from you about it.
We would not only welcome, but are anxiously awaiting your questions and suggestions. This column is here specifically to address issues that you wish to have addressed and without your input it cannot possibly serve this purpose. No issue is too trivial, if you have a question we want to help find an answer. Please think about what you would like to see addressed here and drop us a line.
Be well.

Letters can be sent to deartwice@yahoo.com or Catskill.Chronicle@yahoo.com. Be sure to put Twice Divorced in the Subject line.