One Goofus and two Gallants

“Shall we engage in a mannerly discussion?”(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Comparisons to humans is inevitable.

Observe the Canine version of “Goofus and Gallant” in the news highlights.

Start off with the bad boy. (People always secretly identify him). Obviously a Goofus moment.

Most of you saw him, Scooby the German Shepherd, apparently attempting a cross city swimming record in Los Angeles. (If not, click here).

Just too self confident or stubborn to accept help multiple times and admit he was out of his depth. (Well, dogs are a bit skittish about things appearing out of the sky – even helpful things like rescue helicopter guys…heard tales from a Chicken Little, I guess).

Eventually his self-reliance fading, Scooby had to endure the embarrassment of being basically hog-tied, harnesses, muzzled, and unceremoniously hauled up the bank like a drenched sack of potatoes.

Scooby’s expression trudging off with head down between his shoulders, tail tucked, and firmly escorted by three rescuers was the classic: “I am in sooo much trouble.” (Back to his owner’s arms. Possibly signed up for remedial dog class. And perhaps forever to be known as “California Scooby”.)

German Shepherd Scooby rescued by LA firefighters. “Can I claim a confused identity? Thought I was a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and it sure looks like that thing needed to be retrieved? Wrong body of water? Don’t blame me. That dog school didn’t cover geography…only social skills.”(screenshot abc7 news)

No doubt California Scooby ducks his head under a couch pillow when people mention two local Houston dogs quite worthy of accolades.

Now truly Gallant, this German Shepherd: Alejandro. Only one year old, yet he knows his job and responsibility. No loud noise, squirrel, good smell on the ground, or tennis ball distracted him. (Oh, Scooby. Hang your head in shame….Yes. Shame. In the “Goofus and Gallant” era, shame was a teaching technique.)

Heroic dog protects five year old Downs Syndrome boy who wanders off and ends up on train tracks. (Story/video here, if you missed it)

One of the police officers says the dog definitely knew he had to stay with the child.

“The dog knew he had to go with him because he was doing something he was not supposed to do,” said HPD Sgt. Ricardo Salas. Even when the small boy as put into a police car’s AC to cool down, the officer turned away for a second only to realize the dog had quickly slipped in protectively beside the kid.

Only one year old and such a gallant dog. Just look at that face.

“It’s OK, Kid. We’re with friends now” (Screenshot click2houston)

“My puppy pack would be so proud of me. Look mom, I done good! like a German Shepherd should.” (Screenshot click2houston)

  Not even breed specific. Shown up by a “Gallant is as canine Gallant does” in a pink tutu and holiday garb.

Elsa, the Golden Retriever, retired after more than 12,000 hospital visits with children fighting cancer.  She and her handler, Sarah Herbek, “have been committed to ‘comforting thousands of patients on some of their hardest days with snuggles and pets’, according to hospital officials.”

A vanguard pair who implemented the animal-assisted therapy program which was the first ever of its kind in the Texas Medical Center, have been helping small patients for six years. Friday they had a retirement party for her.

Some of Elsa’s photos/video here.

Listen to what one mom says about the impact on this dog’s visit to her daughter here. ““Elsa would lay up in the bed with her when she couldn’t get out of bed. Christiana was able to pet her and find some comfort in it. It would make her smile.  There were days when only Elsa and Sarah could bring a smile to her face.”

(Other paws will continue to greet and help make the treatments a little less difficult.)

“I knew you would come, Elsa.” (KHOU Screenshot)

“Hang in there, kid. We’ll get through this together.” Dogs know how to extend a helpful pause. (KHOU screenshot)

“All this fuss for me? Dogs: a gift to make life better. Dogs know instinctively what to do…Well, most do…I understand there’s one In California…”(Screenshot)

Each day, a dog is up and ready to go – to make a splash in human lives.

Humans could try to do the same.

Some already do. (Be sure to say “Thank you” to the nice rescue team, California Scooby.)

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

For those too young to understand the comparison of the dogs to “Goofus and Gallant” 

“Gallant and Goofus” vintage cartoon from Highlights Magazine. (USPD.1966 pub.date)

“Highlights for Children” magazine used to be only found in pedestrian and dentist offices…well, maybe a piano teacher’s waiting area. A children’s magazine with pages for different reading levels. Educational. But fun with riddles, jokes, Find “What’s Wrong”, Hidden Pictures, and “The Timbertoes”, a wooden family.

“Goofus and Gallant” cartoons always showed two boys about 10-12 years old – one “naughty”/Goofus and one “nice”/Gallant – doing an activity illustrating a child-appropriate, simple message of “Do this, not that”.   Adults were supposed to discuss with the child each’s boy’s facial expression, body language, and actions – and how it made others feel. But most just said, “Here. Sit down and read this.”

While little kids always wanted to be Gallant and older kids scoffed at him, children generally identified a little bit with each one. Lots of parodies and jokes came from that little didactic cartoon series. Some useful lessons, too.

Read more? (Can’t have you going around clueless – funny, how “Goofus” became such common usage)

• WIKI “Goofus and Gallant”
• Mental Floss “7 Engaging Facts about Goofus and Gallant” (Started off as elves with pointed ears in 1948?)
• Highlights Kids “Share your Goofus and Gallant moments”  (Submit your own experience to the magazine. Ever act like Goofus or Gallant? Tell them.)

Who could forget? So many tiny life lessons taught effortlessly. (Vintage “Goofus and Gallant” from Highlights Magazine/US /Pub.date)