I'm guessing all parents have traits they want to see develop in their kids... maybe even pass some on from the parent. I confess. I have been a little disappointed with Annie's choices for Show and Tell in the past. She would always want to show a stuffed animal, My Little Ponies, or one of her Breyers. You see, I was the Show and Tell Master, and want her to be one as well...

Among the top examples from my Show and Tell pursuits as a kid were: snapping turtle eggs, horse and cow bones (I was particularly fond of the skulls), and pig tails (after this one, my mom refused to empty my pockets when doing laundry). I was always looking for the unique and interesting, and got a not-so-secret joy from the look on the teacher's face when she couldn't help but let me go next. It was sort of the look you imagine a teacher has in the Little Johnny jokes. Not to mention that as a typical kid, I'd leave the items in my desk half the time. The stink would become overpowering, and the teachers were as afraid to look in my desk as my mom was to look in my pockets.

At any rate, I was fairly pleased when Annie decided to take Tolkien for Show and Tell. The weather has been uncooperative, but I couldn't stand her disappoinment when I told her "maybe next week"... again... So, Tolkien took a shower in the itty-bitty corner shower, and this morning rode with us to school (I need a horse trailer). Tolkien Salinger is an English Mastiff, weighing in at... oh, I guess about 170 pounds. He is very loving and docile, but I was a bit concerned, because Tolkien is... er.... shall we say intellectually challenged? He was very good, though.

We walked up the hill and proceeded to the classroom amidst the cacophony of an entire school of kids shouting "look at the size of that dog!" We approached the class room with our entourage of shy but curious kids who were probably hoping they would get to see Tolkien eat somebody. Once inside, Annie's teacher managed, with her usual inspiring skill, to get the excited kindergarteners to settle down on the Carpet. She told them all about Tolkien: his age, breed, what he's like, and that she loved him - with just a little help from Daddy ("Actually, Annie, he's four years old, not four months").

She then answered questions: where does he sleep (with you?!?! er... no)? Does he stay inside (when he doesn't stink)? And there were a lot of "questions" that went something like "I have a dog". Finally, everyone got in line to experience the pleasure of petting Tolkien in exchange for some drool, except for one boy who decided he didn't want to get his hands dirty. Ffffft - Tolkien? Dirty? Smelly? Ok, maybe... a little. It was a lot of fun, and Annie was very proud... as was I.

I brought our big dog home, and he promptly fell asleep on the deck. I hope this time Annie remembers the experience when I pick her up today...


Update: 4:30 pm - She didn't.
Showin' and Tellin' Writin'