FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR EMERITUS Joseph Neil McGinnis III
SOMETIMES ONE JUST HAS TO LAUGH. This month’s been rough on all of us; we lost some truly beloved friends. In honor of their smiles and the smiles they put on the faces of others, I felt we could benefit from a little mirth. Having been raised a Catholic, I know the value of prayer. Having been a long-time breeder and exhibitor of purebred dogs, I know the value of praying really hard . And having been a publisher for over thirty-six years, I know the value of interjecting humor into a life spent in serious pursuit of difficult goals. So, lumping everything to- gether, I share with you one of my all-time favorite stories. You don’t have to be Catholic to get it, but if you don’t get it...we need to talk.
Young, eager Novitiate (let’s think of it as Junior Prayerman- ship) Mary Katharine wished to join the Convent of Perpetual Peace. During the admissions in- terview, Mother Superior—the Catholic version of a Queen Bee—greeted her warmly but then said, "Mary Katharine, this is a silent household. You are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak un- less directed to do so." A quick learner, Mary Katharine nodded assent; she was accepted. And so it began. Mary Katharine lived quietly in the convent, em- bracing her lessons in becoming a Nun. Then one day Mother called her in. "Mary,” she said, “you have been here for five years. You may now speak two words." Mary Katharine replied, "Hard bed." "I'm sorry to hear that," Mother Superior responded. "We will get
you a better bed." After another five years, Mary Katharine again received the supreme summons. "Happy tenth Anniversary,” Mother Supe- rior said. “Today you may say another two words." "Cold food," said Mary Katharine, and Mother Superior assured her that in the future the food would indeed be hot. On her 15th anniversary at the convent, Mary Katharine was once again called to Mother Su- perior’s office. “Congratulations on 15 years of Silent Prayer and Service,” Mother Superior said. “In honor of your successful ef- forts to grow into a true Servant of the Lord, today you may say two more words." "I quit!" said Mary Katharine. "It's probably for the best," Mother Superior observed. "You've done nothing but bitch since you got here."
Photo taken at the Poodle Club of Amer- ica National Specialty, Purina Farms, Gray Summit, Missouri, April 18, 2019, by Brian Cordova.
We’re truly blessed living in our cozy, dog-loving cloister of sorts, often ignoring the cacophony and chaos with which non-dog-lov- ing folks are afflicted. Or from which they don’t get the canine comfort and companionship of we who do. I hope your June is peaceful, cool and quiet, and that
your dogs provide a respite from the rigors of outside life. I know mine do, and I bet that yours do, too. Until next month, always remember: He (or She) Who Lives with the most Toys Wins.
10 • T op N otch T oys , J une 2019
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