Rebel Rebel: Yet more tales of an urban dog mom
By Christie Keith
July 18, 2008
This is a true story.
This morning I was walking Rebel and Kyrie, when a man, dogless, asked me what kind of dogs they were.
“This is Kyrie,” I said. “She’s a Borzoi, a Russian Wolfhound. And this is Rebel. He’s a Scottish Deerhound.”
The man’s face darkened. “Rebel?”
I nodded. “Yes… why?”
His face got red and angry. “I’ll never understand why people think it’s acceptable in this day and age to fly Confederate flags or name their dogs Rebel,” he ranted. “It’s racist, it’s insulting to anyone with a….” Anyway, you get the picture. I mean, it’s not like I was taking notes.
When he was done, I shook my head. “Rebel is a Scottish Deerhound. You need to think Braveheart, not Robert E. Lee.”
He looked at me, then at Rebel. And then in the immortal words of Roseanne Roseannadanna, he said, “Oh. Never mind,” and walked away.
As a South Carolinian, I must say I’m offended not by the Deerhound’s name, which sounds very fine, but by the Wolfhound’s name and your obvious attempt to besmirch the Bible - or at least Mister Mister!
Comment by slt — July 18, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
I have to confess, both your references wooshed right over my head. The bible? Mister Mister? I mean, I know what the bible is, LOL… but how does it relate here?
Comment by Christie Keith — July 18, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrie
Dang, it seems less funny when you read the explanation.
Comment by slt — July 18, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
Christie -
here’s a link that explains the biblical connection:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08714a.htm
and here’s a link to a page about the Mr. Mister tune from the 80s:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1196
Comment by ted — July 18, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
Ah, I see.
“Rebel Rebel” is a David Bowie song… and “Kyrie” is short for “Valkyrie,” so I missed it. :)
Comment by Christie Keith — July 18, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
That’s as ridiculous as the people who called Afghan owners “unpatriotic” after September 11!
Sheesh!
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 18, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
Obviously, this was all about what was going on in his mind…not about your or your dogs!
Comment by Marcy — July 19, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
I meant to say…you or your dogs.
These keyboards…I think they’re out to get us sometimes!
Comment by Marcy — July 19, 2008 @ 10:22 pm