Remember how Dave and I ordered a DNA test for Olga? The test was supposed to determine which breeds are in her background. A coworker did it for her dog and found out all kinds of interesting things.
Well, we got the test back yesterday, with the shocking result that Olga is basically 100 percent Staffordshire Bull Terrier. One or both of her parents were probably purebred. And that's all it said -- there was no indication of any presence of other breeds.
Anticlimactic, to be sure, but I guess at least now we know. (Occasionally I get asked whether she's a mix of some kind.) The breed description that accompanied her paperwork definitely describes her to a T: "totally fearless and tenacious...does everything at full throttle," "sees life as one big adventure and lives it to the fullest," "enjoys nothing more than to be around their people."
Yep. That's Olga.
Yesterday I opened the linen closet to get a towel, and a distinct whiff of dog emerged. I realized I'd never washed her pink blanket -- a blanket I used to have on my bed in childhood and brought from my mom's house a few years ago. Olga loves this blanket, and in the colder months it lives on the couch, and she lives on top of it. Well, when Dave's nieces visited a few weeks ago, I just folded it up and put it away for the time being, intending to wash it later, and I forgot. Let's just say it was a bit pungent. The situation has now been remedied.
Remember how I posted about bad book covers a while back? Well, we've weeded some of our library fiction since then, and I'm sorry to say "The Dark and Deadly Pool" did not make the cut. I kept it anyway, though -- it's on my desk now.
What about good book covers? Do you remember any that made an impact on you?
When I was a kid, my mom had a paperback copy of "Player Piano," by Kurt Vonnegut. On its cover was the artwork above. I don't know whose art it is, but I always found it such a haunting illustration. It made enough of an impact on me that I occasionally think about it even now, although her paperback is long gone and I never read it. (Maybe I should put "Player Piano" on my summer reading list!)
(Top photo: The closed buds of an allium blossom in our garden.)
The "Goosebumps" series by R.L.Stine has some brilliant, eye-catching covers. Of course these books are aimed at younger readers.
ReplyDeleteThe cover of Little Women was one I loved. I would read the book over and over and study the cover to see those four beautiful girls and their mother around a piano in their parlor.
ReplyDeleteNot a great work of art, but I loved it.
I definitely still choose books by their covers in the library. Is that wrong? Too bad. It's what I do.
Olga may be the only pure bred among us all!
Never a dull moment with dogs. I'm as surprised as you are about Olga's background.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of your childhood blanket, that kept you warm and cozy, is now doing the same for Miss Olga. It fits♥
ReplyDeleteI was trying to think of a book cover that impacted me and all I could come up with is "The Source" by James Michener. However, it might have been the book and not the cover.
ReplyDeleteYou allium photo is fabulous! They are glorious in all stages it seems. Love that Olga has your blanket and the mystery of what breed she is is solved! Funny girl!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the allium - you've caught a different view from most, and it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI remember quite a few book covers, but none really come to mind as memorable. Maybe I just haven't thought long enough about it.
Lol on the pungent pink blanket. I've done the same with the blanket we keep over the couch until company comes; it's not really smelly but it's very cat-hairy. After a certain point it requires more than just washing; it needs de-hairing before it can even go in the washer or I'm afraid of clogging the drain :) Work caused by three cats = work caused by one dog ... ha ha
You know, I read the sequel to The Dark & Deadly Pool - it had a ghost in it! Very Nancy Drew, except the heroine was a bit more of a flibbertigibbet. :)
ReplyDeleteYes there are some book covers that stay with you. Great thoughts and warm greetings!
ReplyDeleteThe book I remember as having just a stunning cover was Dave Eggers "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius." I bought to book (I think his first) without knowing anything about it, just because the cover called out to me so.
ReplyDeleteThat description of Olga could have been her horoscope! :-)
ReplyDeleteOn book covers, I really like the latest Zadie Smith's, especially NW and Swing Time.
I was sure Olga was a thoroughbred from the start!
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