How to Raise a Jewish Puppy.

Is this Kosher?

        The used book was titled: “How to Raise a Jewish Dog,” by the Rabbis of the Boca Raton Theological Seminary, 2007, and written with all their almost kosher, mythical tongues firmly in their cheeks.

For instance, Orthodox Jews who observe kosher laws that require one set of dishes when eating food with milk in it and a completely separate one when eating meat.  The book notes that Rabbi Monica’s mother had her own reform kosher observance: one set of dishes “for normal, everyday use and one for Chinese takeout… “

What I learned from reading it is that, without thinking about it too much,  I am already raising a Jewish dog.  But not quite.  For instance, I have not started putting up “NOT MISSING YET” signs all over the neighborhood …yet.

I have not performed the It’s-All-About-Me Spotlight grab by “offering an effusive display of admiration and praise grotesquely out of scale with the good act being rewarded.  The goal is to shift everyone’s attention to you even as you (ostensibly) direct yours to the dog.”  For instance, by shouting, “ISN’T THIS THE BESTEST, SMARTEST CUTEST DOG THAT EVER LIVED?” simply because the dog shook hands with you.

However, by creating this blog I am doing some of what is suggested in the book—boasting about how good my dog is.   And at times, such as when his walk is a few minutes late, I do feel guiltier than Gizmo looks.

“Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job.”  Franklin P. Jones