September 18, 2006, Today marks FIVE YEARS of "the talking dog"
That's right; the first post is dated September 18, 2001, with the World Trade Center then still smoldering. Indeed, this blog is so old, its beginnings pre-date the general use of the term "blog"; indeed, it is arguably the oldest "liberal" blog... assuming anyone accepts that it even is a liberal blog... TTD has even become a source of material for the regular media (at least, if you call NPR "regular media".)
As to the world at large... things seem to have changed a great deal over the last five years... or have they? I'm still happily married to the lovely and brilliant Mrs. TD... the Loquacious Pup is a thriving young lass... our abode is still Stately Dog Manor... And I still write the blog. FWIW, I hope at least that I'm a better writer... years of practice and all. And, thanks to blogging, I've made lots and lots of wonderful new friends, and hope to meet many more.
And while its hard to imagine that my blogging has made any conceivable difference (at a macro level)... at least one can try to fight the good fight, and while we're at it, try to be an example for others, whether it's trying to show journalists how they should be covering the war on terror with original interviews of "war on terror" players and experts (as well as with great writers and thinkers), or trying to highlight the contributions of lots and lots of bloggers, some well known and some obscure, using dog breeds (some well known and some obscure.) Needless to say... you're never quite sure what to expect here at the talking dog... except, of course, for the most important fount of wisdom currently available on the planet. And me... I'll be around here, somewhere...
Anyway, there you are. No big woop. TTD is 5 years old in Earth time... which in talking dog years... is probably more. Discuss amongst yourselves.
We know you have a choice among diversions for your dwindling free time (even with those filters against viewing the sorts of things you'd like to view while at work). So... I thank my blogging sistren and brethren bloggers for thinking enough of what I've written here to link to this site over the years. A special thanks to the Unseen Editor (he knows who he is) for spearheading this blog in the first place, and staying with it for years (until blogging software could be "idiot-proofed" enough for even me to use it.)
And of course, I thank you, dear reader, for flying with reading the talking dog. Y'all come back now... ya' hear?
Comments
WOW! That's 35 in dog years! Amazing!
Thank you for continuing this blog, and thanks for all the great interviews that you do!
Mixter
Posted by Mixter at September 18, 2006 9:52 AM
What's the proper anniverary gift for a blogging dog? Kibble? Pig's ears? A squeaky toy?
Thanks for your work, and blog strong!
Posted by maha at September 18, 2006 3:18 PM
For your 5th anniversary, I thought of no better place to clarify my misquoted speech about Islam. This is especially so since it was the hard work of dedicated Muslims that lead to the creation of the Talking Dog. How can one not admire the tenacity and blind zeal that lead 19 individuals to devote their lives to a cause? How can one not respect the intellectual focus of such followers that keep them grounded in the Middle Ages? In fact, just this last weekend, I was at a supermarket; I had 10 items in a 12-item checkout line. There was a family of 4 Muslims -husband, wife, and 2 girls - and each family member had 12 items. Sure, dad paid for each set of items, but you have to marvel at such cleverness.
Posted by Da Pope at September 18, 2006 11:54 PM
I can't let this day end without offering heartfelt congratulations and thanks to you, TD, for trying to make sense of it all and maintaining your sanity whilst the world goes mad. Blog on, talking dog.
Posted by alicia at September 18, 2006 11:56 PM
I've seen you piss on some pretty high and mighty neo-hydrants, TD, so yeah, you've made a whole hella difference.
Just keep on chasing those neo-kittens up trees, because, after all their yowling, they're nothing but a bunch of pussies.
Keep up your great interviews and keep leaving no bone unturned. You are a credit to blogging canines and to your profession. Happy Anniversary, Good Doggie!
Posted by Kevin Hayden at September 19, 2006 1:21 AM
Thanks for all the great work, your dogliness.
Posted by The Heretik at September 19, 2006 11:54 PM
Dog:
Why, just the other day, during my weekly menage with Nancy Pelosi and Rick Santorum, I said it must be five years since the TD first launched his deal. Seems like only yesterday when you crashed my pad with Mick, Warren, Liza and Paris. It was a scene, man. That time you lifted your leg and squirted Hillary, I tell ya, I almost cracked my shell. Good times. Many happy returns, pooch, and peace out.
Posted by The Crabster at September 20, 2006 1:48 PM