Sunday, June 19, 2011

Father's Day

This is from the late 1950s.  My father and his 100-pound bloodhound, Nita.

We got Nita from a breeder in Stamford, Connecticut.  I remember a long drive from eastern Massachusetts to southwestern Connecticut to pick her up.  It was a hot summer day before interstate highways and air-conditioning.  I was in the back seat listening to a scratchy broadcast of a baseball game. The pitcher had a no-hitter going into the ninth inning when we arrived.  I was ordered to turn off the radio and get out of the car, to see our new puppy.  I threw a tantrum, but it didn't work.

My father loved that dog!  Nita and I got off to a rocky start, but ultimately I admitted that she was a pretty good dog, if you don't mind a liberal coating of drool over everything.

Below is a photo of a young father and his five-month old twins.  It was my choice for a Father's Day picture until I ran across the picture of my father and Nita.

24 comments:

Cezar and Léia said...

Two lovely pictures and wonderful fathers!
Thanks for sharing your memories!
and Happy Father's Day Jack!
Léia

Kate said...

Thanks for your family anecdote! Can't imagine you throwing a tantrum!! The young father with his twins makes me smile...how busy the parents must be! I always love to see young men with their children...we need more of that in this country!! And, a Happy Father's Day to you, too, Jack!

Mo said...

Lovely fathers day tribute

brattcat said...

Hope it's a drool-worthy day for you.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Great post today. I agree with you. Your parents should have let you finish listening to the game.

Late in her life my mother said that her biggest regret in parenting is not letting me have a dog.

Your top photo today is very timely in giving me inspiration for today's activity. My son is coming over so we can sort through old slides of his and my childhoods to take some place to digitize them.

Your photos this week have been masterful, especially the Iwo Jima reflection.

Shannon said...

The pictures brought smiles to this face. Both men look like they have their hands full, your Dad literally! But both in a very good way. Glad you posted both.

Regina K said...

Happy Fathers Day!!

T. Becque said...

Your old photo is wonderful; I love the stories that are behind such photos. Happy Father's Day!

Sylvia K said...

Love your captures for the day! That is an arm full of doggie pic! Oh, yes! Do have a drool-worthy day, Jack!

Sylvia

Sharon said...

What a great tribute to your dad and dad's everywhere!

VP said...

A perfect tribute to your father!

RedPat said...

A great post for Father's Day!

joo said...

Beautiful tribute to your Dad!

Randy said...

Excellent photos. I really like the one of your father and his dog.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Both pictures are fabulous Jack, hope you had a happy Fathers Day yourself, I love to see young Dad's being so proactive these days in the looking after of the kids. Nita looks absolutely adorable, how could you possibly resist a face like that (come on what's a bit of drool between friends!!!)

Lynette said...

Totally swell Father's Day post, Jack. Your memories and the photo of your dad and Nita make the newer photo more special. Nita's such a neat name for a dog. I think my apartment neighbor's have a teensy put named Charlotte.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Love the photo of your dad and Nita... You really pitched a hissy fit?

Bises,
Genie

Lowell said...

A very cool post, Jack. Love both of these photos...and that one of your dad obviously brought back some wonderful memories!

Hope you had as good a Father's Day as I did! Shot my handicap so that's good.

Susie said...

Happy father's day! I love that you posted the photo of your dad and Nita! Amazing coincidence, because I was just showing Wes my copy of it last week!

It's amazing how much you ended up resembling your dad...

Malyss said...

Both pictures are marvellous, and full of happyness!they also tell many stories.. Wonderful post, Mr Jack, and Happy Father's day!

jennyfreckles said...

Two pictures of men who've got their hands full! Hurrah for dads!

EG CameraGirl said...

Loved reading your memory of picking up Nita. How honest you are to admit you threw tantrums. :))

Unknown said...

Great post for Father's Day, Jack. We celebrate it in March here.

Luis Gomez said...

Great pictures Jack! Wonderful story about your dad, you listening to the game and getting the dog. It just made me smile.