Do you remember hearing that?
Years ago, some “other breed” people who were jealous
of the Collie’s longstanding popularity began putting
out press saying that “the real dog” Lassie was not such
a likeable animal. Of course, their intentions backfired
on them, with some people being pleased to think that
“Lassie” behaved a lot like their own dogs, after all, and
others being completely defensive of their much loved
“in the flesh” icon. Lassie didn’t lose any popularity over
the allegation, and in the end, probably gained some.
Now we have a pair of disgruntled former associates of
Bob Weatherwax attempting the same sort of thing, only
today it’s on the internet. They’ve even managed to
dig up an estranged family member to parade around
in their effort to “show the world” that Bob kills chickens,
and not only that, he’s also part of a dysfunctional family!
Well, if the whole world and the whole society of Lassie
fans can’t relate to that, it is that revelation itself that will
prove to be shocking! Imagine, Bob Weatherwax is a
human being, and his dog, Laddie, is a real dog! Not evil
enough for you? Oh don’t worry, these two will embellish
until the cows come home…. on blog sites, on Yahoo lists,
on “Comments” made to any internet news group that
publishes a story about Bob, Bob and Laddie, or – to really
get them going – the Weatherwax Lassie dogs!
While all of this is the usual stuff of “wannabe” jealously
and questionable mental stability, it is still somewhat
disturbing to witness. In this case, particularly, it
becomes unsettling when you realize the victim is a
sixty six year old man who, throughout his lifetime
has stuck with his father’s commitment to a dog, and
to a family of dogs that represent an international icon.
Now, how many sixty six year old men can say that?
Equally disturbing is the fact that behind the smear
campaign is an association with a
multi billion dollar corporation that would like nothing
better than to separate that icon from all association
with the father and son, and the very real dogs they
judiciously bred, trained, lived with, and yes, loved.
My guess is the world doesn’t want the corporate icon
if it’s not associated with the Weatherwax Lassie Dogs.
Anyone can draw a cartoon of a collie with a big white
collar and a blaze on it’s face, and there you have the
corporate icon. Or you can make a movie or produce a
TV show around a collie, call the dog “Lassie”, and
there again you have the corporate icon (as has been
done). You can even take a collie Bob Weatherwax
gave to someone he thought was a friend and declare
it to be “The Real Lassie”, and once again, all you have
is the corporate icon.
Real men, father and son, neither of them perfect;
and real dogs, nine generations of them, father to son,
and none of them perfect either, are what comprise
the public’s view of “The Real Lassie”. We see them
as united parts of the whole, and not to be disassociated
by either big corporation or disgruntled former fans.
We will take them, flaws and all, thank you. Besides,
if you ask a fan, they will tell you it’s the disgruntled
wannabes who have the skeletons in the closet. and the
corporate Lassie who kills chickens!
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