When you’re not supposed to be friends…

I wish I knew the formula for making enemies become friends. I’ve heard stories, like we all have, of people who are supposed to be enemies (or at least unsympathetic opponents) but come together somehow, beating the odds.

has this story, as does , , , and But it seems like people coming together and mending fences, especially in large groups, is as elusive as opening a garbage bag at the right end on your first try. We all love hearing about it happening. We insist that it needs to happen, though usually with words like “they” as if we’re outside of the equation. It frustrates me that there isn’t an apparent, clean cut step-by-step solution that we can all apply, but then again, there are so many things like that in life. Maybe it’s right in front of us and we just haven’t acknowledged it yet.

And I’m not using this post to be preachy either. I don’t have any group of people to condemn nor a solution that everyone needs to get from me. I know nothing more than you do about fixing this problem. But I can tell you about my sorrow and frustration, which just… feels right. Feels good too. Getting it out can be therapeutic. And at the very least, I think change can begin when that happens when we talk about this stuff.

It also feels good to think about dogs, who can be the most forgiving, unprejudiced, and affectionate animals on the planet. Growing up there was rarely a time when we didn’t have a dog in the house. Penny, Mindy, Holly, and others (never more than one at a time) became family members and offered their loyalty, love, and an unforgettably pathetic gaze when we’re eating. And Lucy is perhaps the most loved individual in my household today. So, in that vein, here are (imho of course) the greatest cartoon dogs of all time—other than Copper. He’s pretty awesome.

10. Dog (

)

9. Sam Sheepdog ()8. Pluto7. Brian ()6. Goliath ()5. Ren ()4. Scooby Doo3. TIE: Lady and Tramp2. Bruno ()1. Snoopy

Congratulations . This is your week.

And the Oscar goes to…

Best Actress: Betty Lou Gerson as Cruella DeVil. I know nothing about this actress, but she was a perfect voice for one of the greatest animated movie villains.

Best Actor: Jack Albertson as Amos Slade in . I was pleasantly surprised that this is the same actor who played Grandpa Joe on (1971)

Best Quote: “How do you say ‘No way I’m doing this’ in crazy?” — Mittens (Susie Essman) in

And from the soundtrack of describing the title characters:

Life’s a happy gameYou could clown around foreverNeither one of you seesYour natural boundariesLife’s one happy gameIf only the world wouldn’t get in the wayIf only people would just let you playThey say you’re both being foolsYou’re breaking all the rulesThey can’t understandYour magic wonderland