'Bad Dad' Gives Birth to 'Bad Dog'

   "I've about had my fill of all this Good Dog stuff!  For over two years now, I've painfully watched as everyone has been pandering, petting and adoring the Good Dog.  Countless testimonials praising it's uplifting influence have been pouring in from all parts of the planet.  During this time, his companion and half brother (Bad Dog, aka, 'Bad') has been vilified, shoved aside and malnourished.  With this kind of canine neglect, it's not surprising his disposition is less than charming. 

     Let us not forget that equilibrium is made of complementary and often greatly divergent traits of character.  There could be no 'Good,' without 'Bad'.  True enough, 'Bad' can be gruff, blunt and downright nasty at times - actually, most of the time.  But, we need to remember that 'Bad' often helps 'Good' to be good as 'Good' doesn't want to be 'Bad.'  See, it's all good, and ... bad.

     My son has created this 'BAD Dog' section for me to develop, or perhaps I suspect, to provide me with an outlet to purge my own nastiness or maybe to give the old man something to do.  He has some surprises coming his way! 

     Regardless of my son's intentions, I will bring quotes and short stories to this section that possess the often shocking character of 'Bad Dog.'  Louie has insisted that my offerings (must) meet the vision statement guidelines, "To Inspire, To Empower."  I'll do my best, but I am 89, 'orn-ry' and just might slip one past him from time to time.

     'Bad Dog' quotes, stories or poems may prod, provoke and irritate as they challenge us to grow emotionally and spiritually.  Be foreWARNED ... 'Bad Dog' bites may hurt a little - well, maybe even a lot!  But they hurt in a good way - the 'no pain - no gain', take-a-good-hard-look-at-yourself, soul-searching, rigorously-honest-self-appraisal, kind of hurt. 

     Personal growth is NOT for wimps!  At first glance, 'Bad' seems negative - but you will see that he has a great deal in common with his brother - 'Good,' in that they are both 'all about' personal growth and spiritual development.  I believe there is a little good, in bad.  Subtle - but it's there, if you look real hard.  Two very different approaches - same result.  

     Some people don't respond well to the 'mamby-pamby' style of 'Good Dog' and prefer a 'real' dog, slamming hard truths in your face.  Therein lies my job - to throw a little 'Bad Dog' at ya.

     Both dogs offer us a daily dose of 'potential' growth.  Actual results vary, depending entirely on our choice - Good Dog?  Bad Dog?

     Please feel free to inundate my son with complaints or suggestions, which I'm quite certain, he will send my way.

Dr. Andre Rochon, PhD
Montreal, Canada

“Is life so wretched? 
Isn't it rather your hands which are too small, your vision which is muddled?
You are the one who must grow up.”
Dag Hammarskjold










"Despair is like forward children, who, when you take away one of their playthings,
throw the rest into the fire for madness. It grows angry with itself, turns its own executioner, and revenges its misfortunes on its own head."
Pierre Charron 










“If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise.”
Author Unknown










“If it's never our fault, we can't take responsibility for it.
If we can't take responsibility for it, we'll always be its victim.”
Jonathan Livingston Seagull aka Richard Bach










“Spirituality means waking up.
Most people, even though they don't know it, are asleep.
They're born asleep, they live asleep, they marry in their sleep, they breed children in their sleep, they die in their sleep without ever waking up.  They never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing that we call human existence.”
Anthony de Mello









Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."
Said the little old man, "I do that too."

The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."
"I do too," laughed the old man.

Said the little boy, "I often cry."
The old man nodded. "So do I."

"But worst of all," said the boy, "It seems
grown-ups don't pay attention to me."

And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
"I know what you mean," said the little old man.“

Shel Silverstein

“Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes.  Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly.  Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end.  What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind.  Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.”
Henry Miller

“To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.”
William H. Walton