TIP AND MAJOR: CIVIL WAR DOGS

Tip and Major were two dogs who belonged to a regiment called the 79th New York Cameron Highlanders.  This group was organized in 1858, and it had mostly Scottish and Irish immigrants in it.  At first, it was more of a social club than a military unit.  The St. Andrews and Caledonian Societies of New York, plus wealthy people such as Samuel M. Elliot and James Cameron provided the money for the group.  They named themselves after...

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SOME VERY FINE QUOTES

When you feel lousy, puppy therapy is indicated.    --Sara ParetskyMoney will buy a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail.    --Josh BillingsWhen a man's best friend is his dog, that dog has a problem.    --Edward AbbeyWhen a man wantonly destroys one of the works of man we call him a vandal.  When he destroys one of the works of god we call him a sportsman.    --Joseph Wood KrutchI ask...

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CERBERUS

There's a dog in Greek mythology that is very famous, and his name is Cerberus.  This dog was owned by Hades, the God of the Underworld, and he was pretty much like any other pet dog except for three things:1.  He had a very special job to do as the Guard Dog of the Underworld.  2.  He was extremely fierce and aggressive.3.  He had at least three heads.Hades and his faithful dog, Cerberus.The Romans called Hades "Pluto."The...

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BOA CONSTRICTORS

There are a lot of snakes called "boas," and what they all have in common is they wrap themselves around their prey and squish it until it is dead.  After that, they swallow it whole, like all snakes do with their food.  The boa constrictor is in the family Boidae, which lives in North, South, and Central America, plus also in some islands of the Caribbean.  The scientific name of the most common boa constrictor is Boa constrictor...

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MORE WONDERFUL WORDS

CONTUMACIOUSThis word means stubborn and rebellious and disobedient.  Other good words that mean the same as contumacious are willful, balky, contrary, wayward, and unruly.  Mom says I start acting contumacious any time she takes me out for a walk.  I tell her that I am just a creative and independent thinker.  Which is not the same thing, at least in my opinion.CHANDLERIn the old days, before everybody had electricity,...

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ALL THE LATEST NEWS

You'll never guess what!  MOM GOT A JOB!  I don't think she should have done this because she already has a perfectly good job taking care of all us dogs and cats, but now she is going to abandon us here alone three days a week while she goes out to do this so-called "real" job. Mom didn't want to get a job, because she likes being retired and not working, but Mom's financial planner guy says that she is spending her investment money too...

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