Since we were TAG’d for our middle names, Dad finally has one done…. and after much consideration, Dad has given me the middle name of Dodge.
He said it’s a two fold meaning. He said it holds much respect and representation of good character. Character is what a person is made of – while personality is what we can see. It’s sometimes hard to know a person’s character, since we base it mainly on personality. With that in mind, Dad says he can see my character, as most bipeds can see it in there Canines. Canines have no reason for deception, no political office to hold, no Hollywood vanity or airs to put on. As Dad says, they (canines such as me) live only to be happy and to be with their biped – as I do with Dad. The respect and representation is broken down as:
D - Dependable – ever so faithful
O - lOving – affectionate, passionate, and has much adoration
D - Devoted – just so dutiful and attentive
G - Gentle – calm, mello, and soft spoken, never raises his voice
E - Expert – and an expert that can do most anything
The second fold of the Dodge name comes from John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge. In 1901, the Dodge brothers, trained as machinist, won a contract to build transmissions and parts for Oldsmobile. Then in 1902 they helped a guy named Henry Ford start his own business. They loaned Henry money and built engines and parts for him. They continued this Ford relationship thru 1913, building almost all engines, transmissions, brakes, suspension, and frame parts for Fords. In 1914, they started their own business called, you guessed it, Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle Company. In 1928, Walter P. Chrysler, Dad’s other favorite character (from Wamego Kansas) bought the Dodge company and the rest as they say, is history. The Dodge brothers built what they had - based on quality and hard work. Just like the Expert, Devoted, Dependable GSD Dad says I am today.
Wait a minute! How can I be an expert you say? Well, I help Dad with Everything! and, well, ….Dad says I should tell this rather embarrassing story. I really don’t want to, but I will.
Dad left me! He did. He went to New York City for several days. He stayed with a friend in lower Manhattan, between WTC and South Street. He came home with tons of good smells! Anyway, Jean, my dear biped-friend would come by to see me. I have to admit, I was a bit upset with her coming and going. So when she left, she gave me a milk-bone, put the box on top of the fridge, and would go out the front door. I accidentally stole the box off the top of the fridge and ate the whole thing. It was an accident. Jean came back and after seeing what I did, went to the store and bought another box. This time, when she left, she put the box on top of the fridge again and made sure it wasn’t on the edge. When she returned, the box from the fridge was gone. I accidentally ate the whole box again. How could I possible get the box off the top of the fridge she wondered? I’ll never tell. Well, you would think the story would end there. It didn’t. Three times a charm you say? Yes, apparently so. I did it again. It was an accident I tell you. Funny enough, I didn’t get any more biscuits during that time that Dad was away.
So then Dad thought to take a measuring tape to me. Hmmmm, just as he thought. From my nose to my tail’s end, 5 Feet, 7 inches. Just like Dad!! Surely he doesn’t use his tail to get on top of the fridge? Ok, without the tail, 4 Feet, 3 inches. Obviously enough length, added to my 30 inch height to help me get up there, don’t you think? Still, he wonders.
Unfortunately, my arthritis prevents me from standing up on two legs anymore…. But not to worry, I have ways! Besides, I’m a quadruped, not a biped!
Dad says he will ask Mati for her middle name and will post it soon.
Thanks for stopping by – Love Rocky.
p.s. Here's a picture of an ad from way back when, you can't tell me that the Dodge Brothers didn't underestimate the value of a good dog:
