Find the dog in the picture
Dogs have been on my mind lately.
The national news tonight ended with a story with speculation about what kind of puppy our president elect’s two daughters would choose after he announced in his victory speech that this is one promise he could keep with little difficulty. Personally, I hope the Obamas can find and adopt a shelter dog. Because one of the girls has allergies, the speculation is that they will choose one of the breeds that don’t shed, like a poodle.
Bitchin Frizzy
The dog in my life for the last 12 years is a bichon frise, which is also one of those breeds that doesn’t shed. Dusty (as a puppy he looked like a dust mop) was not a shelter dog. If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten a shelter dog like all the other dogs in my life. He was a surprise gift from my ex-wife (before she was ex.) She was thinking more about her furniture than allergies. When she finally realized that puppies have to be trained to go outside to relieve themselves and teeth on anything they can reach it was too late. She came to hate him but he became my buddy. According to her, he was a major factor in our breakup. Whatever.
Anybody that knows the breed, knows that it is a big stretch to consider a bichon a guy’s dog. Nobody would joke that a hockey mom is like a bichon with lipstick. But Dusty and I have adapted to each other pretty well. I’m big and ugly enough that nobody openly questions my manhood when I walk him every evening, whatever they might think. And Dusty seems as embarrassed as I am when a new groomer puts ribbons in his hair.
What you gonna do?
Earlier this week I spent an amount greater than my mortgage payment to have a number of teeth removed from Dusty’s mouth. The shock I experienced at the amount was almost as much as the shock that Christmas morning in 1996 when I was handed that soft white ball of fur with a red ribbon. But I’ll get over that too, I guess, and continue to enjoy his company till one of us croaks.
My man Dusty
So, what does this have to do with luxury homes in Durham?
Durham is a shelter dog. A mutt. Durham is a cross breed of wealth and poverty, great universities and struggling school systems, high tech and service jobs, funk and sophistication. It’s as unlikely as Dusty and Jay. But these differences are what makes it interesting. Once we embrace this we can sell it and sell its interesting neighborhoods and interesting properties. That day will come.
