Subversive Love Notes

[grainnerhuad]

Wow, I've been meaning to post this since Saturday and the time just keeps filling up.

Mostly with great stuff as I have been excited to see so much new discussion here at the forum.

We here at Subversify throughout the year sponsor some perennial-type articles. One of which we just had in the form of the yearly wrap-up and predictions.

The next one coming up is Subversive Love Notes. This is your opportunity to shower love on your favorite subversive individual (s) of all time!

They can be living or dead, they can be mythical or fictional. Take a gander at past Subversive Love notes by searching the term on the main page. That should give you an idea. We have thanked Pirate Queens and Poets, Cartoonists and Shoppers. The interpretation of what is subversive is really Really broad here.

The best news is it doesn't have to be long as I will be compiling everyone's input, much the same as was done with the predictions. I could be a blurb of 300-500 words. Or you may have a massive love attack, in which case we think about running it as its own article.

All submissions must be in by Feb 8th.

P.S. If you really really don't want to write but have an excellent candidate for a love note let me know, I have been known to research suggestions.

P.P.S.- Tashi is not getting mentioned this year but if Dylan wants to write his own love note, have the Pack Mother send it to me.

P.P.P.S. - Animals and Dogs are temperamental. Be sure that if you submit one you are ready to face the wrath of all their species for picking just one.

[dylan]

I'm sad. I want to tell you who i want for the love notes all by myself because he's a wonderful dog. His name is Banji. He made top grades in obedience school. I only got a B because there are some dog clans I just don't like.

Banji went to the college of Special Needs Dogs because some pack leaders have Special Needs puppies called Autistic. All these puppies named Autistic have a problem with staying with their packs in public. They need a guardian to herd them. When I first met Banji, I was outside a store, tied to a bicycle post. The pack leader explained to me that this was because there was a "no dogs allowed" ordinance, but since it was a tribal law, I had come to accept it.

However, as I kept a close watch on the pack leader through the windows - you never know when those Nazi's will sneak up on you- I saw to my surprise, another dog inside the store! Not only was he in the store, he wasn't even tied to the pack leader! He was hovering close to a puppy, and moving it along when the pack moved.

I was pretty indignant. When the pack came out, I sniffed the dog to see why he was so special. That's when I smelled his advanced education diploma and became respectful. Why, this dog even wore a beautiful saddle blanket that said, "don't pet me. I'm working."

I got to see Benji a few more times and that's how I learned about Autistic puppies and their need for a guardian.

[grainnerhuad]

Dylan, you surprise and amaze me. Banji and his tribe do deserve a spot. Tell me more.

[dylan]

This is what I learned about the tribe called service dogs. Most service dogs spend up to two years in advanced education before being hired as a guardian. These dogs receive training for such important tasks as leading the blind and helping the physically handicapped. My friend, Lucy, knows how to pick up bags and carry them for her pack leader, who is in a wheel chair. She even knows how to carry things to the store counter and wait until the cashier puts it in a bag before giving it back to her leader.

Banji's education began as a puppy. He belongs to a service line that gets along well with pack leader puppies, even the smallest ones who crawl around and pull your hair. As explained by my pack leader, the question wasn't one of if Banji was nice enough. They wanted to see if Autistic would communicate with Banji.

Pack leaders are kind of funny that way. They think that communication has to do with words but for dogs this isn't so. Puppies with autism have a hard time speaking words, and so do dogs. They aren't always in control of their actions, but sometimes, dogs aren't either, so dogs understand when autistic puppies are rocking back and forth or slapping at themselves. It disturbs pack leaders, but it doesn't disturb us dogs. Banji likes being a guardian for this pack leader puppy. Sometimes Autistic pats him over and over on the head. Sometimes he is ignored. But always Banji can get the puppy's attention when it is important, like when it's time to come to the table and eat or if they're out in public and the pack needs to stay together. Banji also goes to school with Autistic because, according to the pack leaders, it gives him more confidence.

My pack leader said that should probably all be put in people language so the readers understand better, whatever that means.

[grainnerhuad]

Dylan I am of a mind to not put it in people language. Perhaps people need to start learning the non-verbal language of others better, that way puppies like the one Banji loves will not have such a hard time with their respective packs and tribes.

...But if your pack leader could do it in cartoon...that would be incredible. Or maybe a picture storyboard.