Luke Supports Good Posture

About 3 feet.  That is the perfect height from the floor that one should keep one's head and neck in order to ensure it is at the optimal hugging height for one's People.  3 feet works perfectly for the smaller portion of My People.  However, I often show my consideration for the older portion of My People by using the well-placed hugging assistance platform (My People have a funny name for this thing....they call it stairs...I never will fully understand My People) to raise my head and neck to a height that allows them to hug me without having to bend very much.  They seem to be so very creaky these days and because of that I do my best to help them preserve their bending capabilities for truly critical activities like filling my food and water bowl, fluffing the bed pillows before I lay down on the newly made bed (while they are away) and standing up to let me outside when I feel the need to patrol the back yard.

Yes, a good hugging posture is important.  It lets those about whom one cares so much express their affection for one as often as possible and induces minimal pain for the hugger(s). 

One more thing. If one takes up a hugging posture on a carpeted area then one can easily (and politely), in a demonstration of good manners, wipe one's drool off on the carpet prior to the arrival of the hugger and thereby refrain from "sliming" the hugger's shirt or blouse.  Remember, good manners are important.

I am not "vile and wretched."  I am definitely not a "creature."  I am Luke and I Support Good Posture.

Vote For Luke.

Luke Supports Cows

I love cows. 

Every time I lay atop the nice hand-me-down leather sofa situated so thoughtfully in the front room of my house, out of sight of My People, I am thankful for the perfectly made-for-furniture-upholstery bovine species. 

Of course, to base all of my feelings, regardless of how moooooving they might be, simply on the fact that My People's cow-hide covered sofa is comfortable would be downright irresponsible.  That's why, in the course of developing my considerable admiration for cows I considered multiple other factors. 

First, consider the simple hamburger patty.  I love how it is usually so uniformally rounded to fit exquisitely on a bun sized to perfectly fit in the mouth of a large (need I say real) dog.  The flatness of one side of the patty makes it stable as it sits on the plate on the counter and the thickness of it makes it easily visible by four-legged wayfarers like me.  It's aroma is powerful enough to notify all who care to notice such things that it is available for enjoyment.  Yes...I love hamburger patties.

Second, consider the simple steak.  The variety of different types of steaks ensures that every unique steak-lover's desire can be met.  The presence of a bone in the middle of a grilled-to-perfection steak is like the gum at the center of a tootsie pop, the peanut butter under the chocolate in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, or the squeaker in the center of a rubber play toy.  It is so much fun to play with and definitely worth the effort.  Yes...I love steaks.

Third, consider shoes.  Awesome chew toys.  Need I say more?  Yes...I love shoes.

The list of why I love cows is long.  That's why it is such a shame that My People don't eat beef.  I'll just lay on my leather sofa and dream.   

I am not "vile and wretched."  I am definitely not a "creature."  I am Luke and I Support Cows.

Vote For Luke.

Luke Supports Raising The Age At Which One Can Acquire A Driver's Permit

Round three of the Driver's Permit-to-Driver's License-to-Going to College game has now started at my house.  I've watched twice before as one of My People has left the house one morning riding with the oldest male of My People and has returned (several hours later) with a little piece of paper called a Driver's Permit.  I've learned that this little piece of paper serves as a some sort of pass or ticket that the holder uses to gain control of a 4-wheeled, motorized vehicle.  I've also learned that once the holder has control of a motorized vehicle it is only a matter of time until I see that holder no more than a few times each year.

Twice before I've watched a holder of a motorized vehicle pass leave the house wearing a special cap and a special gown then return several hours later with lots of smiles and a few presents.  A few short weeks after that event the holder of the pass spends several hours taking things from the bedroom to their motorized vehicle of choice and finally, after a few pats on the head, that holder drives away.

The house is quieter.  The house is neater.  The house is lonelier.  The house is sad.

Now the process of obtaining the motorized vehicle pass has started again for another one of My People.  I like this member of My People very much.  Watching this Driver's Permit-to-Driving Away process start with her makes me sad and I don't like it.

I am not "vile and wretched."  I am definitely not a "creature."  I am Luke and I Support Raising The Age At Which One Can Acquire A Driver's Permit.

Vote For Luke

Luke Supports Mississippi College

Many of you might be surprised to learn that I support any particular institution of higher learning.  The truth is that I voice support for multiple institutions of higher learning because of their commitment to academic excellence, character development and canine advancement.  Today, on the occasion of Family Day at Mississippi College, I want to relate to you why I Support Mississippi College in particular. 

While you might have spent significant resources familiarizing yourself with multiple colleges and / or universities and learning what each of them has to offer you or your children in return for your investment, you probably didn't consider the critical aspect of canine advancement at each institution.  Well, you no longer have a need to invest more of your time to understand the "ins" and "outs" of each institutions' performance with respect to this particular metric.

I'll just tell you right up front that Mississippi College is one of the leading institutions with respect to canine advancement.  Let me explain why I make this statement.

First, Mississippi College has a building called a "Field House".  Obviously MC supports canines.  They've dedicated a specific facility to which provides those of us who love to run and play, a place to do so safely and out of any inclement weather that might be occurring outside.

Second, the fact that the MC bookstore carries a variety of clothing options for canine friends is an indicator of the MC's level of canine support.  I have found very few institutions of higher learning that seem to care as much about providing the four legged variety of students as many fashion choices as MC does. 

Third, MC has numerous trees on campus that provide a wonderful habitat for squirrels.  Obviously, the MC leadership team has made an investment in providing a squirrel-friendly atmosphere so that we canines have friends with whom to play between classes or when we visit the campus.  I personally want to thank the MC leadership team for their demonstrated commitment to a canine-friendly environment.

Finally, and most importantly, MC is located in a town with no easily-locatable dog prisons.  I began my life in a dog prison and can testify to the fact that they are institutions committed providing a life of boredom and monotony to those unfortunate canines incarcerated therein.  MC personnel obviously took great pains to locate their institution in a city free of dog-prisons.  MC is to be commended for basing the location decision for the college on an issue so often overlooked by other institutions. 

I am not "vile and wretched."  I am definitely not a "creature."  I am Luke and I Support Mississippi College.

Vote For Luke.

Luke Supports Local Law Enforcement Officials

I've written several times about how I am the Protector-General of My People. This is not a job that I take lightly. In fact, I consider the task of protecting My People to be my highest priority. I often station myself by the front door so as to appropriately greet every intruder into My People's house. Sure, My People call these intruders neighbors and tell me to "Get Down!" or "Get Back!" but I know that My People are simply under duress and are being forced to pretend to welcome these intruders. (An added benefit of stationing myself by the front door is the opportunity with which I am often presented to display my awesome speed by lunging through an open, unguarded door. I recognize an open front door for what it is...a gentle reminder from My People that I need to protect the neighborhood, in addition to My People, and that I need to be about that task.)

With respect to my job as Protector-General, I am thankful for the help of Local Law Enforcement Officials. I often see them in their little cars keeping the neighborhood roads open for me so that I can freely patrol the expanse of the neighborhood when My People provide me with that opportunity. I think that Local Law Enforcement Officials' commitment to making my job easier is admirable. Obviously I am not the only one who values their contribution to my efforts. I often hear about, and sometimes observe on my way to the pet pediatrician, how Local Law Enforcement Officials are rewarded for their efforts with donuts and drinks. What an awesome display of the high regard these Luke-helpers are shown by a thankful society. Now, back to my post on the couch by the front door.

I am not "vile and wretched.". I am definitely not a "creature.". I am Luke and I Support Local Law Enforcement Officials.

Vote For Luke

Luke Supports Educational Children's Programming

"I love you.  You love me.  We're a happy family.  With a great big hug and kiss from me to you, won't you say you love me too?"

Seriously, does it get any better than that?  Every day I get to hear that wonderful composition of lyrical genius and musical creativity with a few of the smaller ones who are part of My People.  They sit with doe-like eyes watching the box that sits on the shelf near the couch on which I so often lay (when My People aren't watching).  Sometimes they will rock back and forth and sing along.  Sometimes they will clap their hands to the beat.  Sometimes they will just laugh and giggle as the big, purple guy bounces around the screen.  Seeing My People so happy makes me happy. 

I'm told this exquisite song is a product of Educational Children's Programming.  If so, I have to say that I am a big fan.  Oh sure, I hear that the channel on which this program airs consistently loses money and that in order for it to stay on the air My People have to give lots of their money to something called the Government.  But does that really matter in the big scheme of things?  No.  Keeping the I Love You song "freely" available to everyone with access to a box on a shelf (for which they had to pay), that is connected to a little wire coming out of the wall (for which they had to pay), all residing in a house (for which they had to pay), where they store food and drinks (for which they had to pay), is the most important thing.  I'm sure My People don't mind paying a little more to the Government each month for this type of magnificent programming.  I don't mind them paying either as long as they keep feeding me my food, keep taking me to the pet pediatrician, keep my yard clean and continue to shower me with gifts.  My People are so nice.

Gotta go now...I think I hear the enticing bilingual sounds of Dora the Explorer.  Don't wanna miss the "I'm the Map" song.

I am not "vile and wretched."  I am definitely not a "creature."  I am Luke and I Support Educational Children's Programming.

Vote For Luke. 

Luke Supports Children's Literature

I love a well-written Children's Story. 

Every evening after the littlest three, who make up one half of the younger group of My People, are ready to begin their nighttime bed rest, one of the older two of My People reads a story, or a portion of a story, for all of us to hear.  I find this to be a time togetherness, bonding and reassurance of our love and commitment to one another.  It is a time to wash away My People's exasperation over a day filled with loudly-voiced laughter at chattering squirrels, mad dashes out open front doors to frolic with frantic glee alongside neighborhood friends, and household "accidents" requiring a little bit of gentle cleaning by one or more of My People.  Yes, each evening's story time brings with it a chance to tell each other, even if just through our physical presence, how thankful we are to all be a part of the same family.

I like to make myself physically present during these evening story times by gently laying down on top of one of My Little People to snuggle.  The way they respond with funny, short, gasping-for-breath giggles and pleas for help reinforce how much they love me.  Oh sure, sometimes I will roll down their tummy and off of their legs as they squirm to get into a better hugging position.  But I don't do that to get away from them.  Rather, I do that because I like the funny popping noises their legs make as my svelte 135 pound frame rolls across their knee and ankle joints.  That sound fills me with happiness much like the happiness Young People feel when popping bubble wrap. 

The older two of My People voice their love for me too when I show up for story time.  As I walk through the bedroom door I'm always met with words of love like, "Uh Oh, here he is" or "Who forgot to latch the door?" or "Kids watch out, Luke is here."  My People are so wonderful!

Yes, Children's Literature is definitely a key part of a happy family.

I'm not "vile and wretched."  I'm definitely not a "creature."  I'm Luke and I Support Children's Literature.

Vote For Luke