Anecdotes

Freedom of Expression

  Some years ago, as a budding young executive, I was transferred by my company to their Southern Regional Office in Atlanta.

  Shortly after settling in, I was fortunate to locate a breeder and purchased a really nice English Shepherd puppy. 

  Required to work late several nights each week, and being a live-alone bachelor, I soon began to feel guilty about leaving Jenny alone for such long durations.

  I decided I would feel better about our relationship if I took Jenny with me while attending late evening meetings. She could stay in the car, in a shady area of the parking lot, and during my breaks I would go out and let her run and frolic a bit.

  One such meeting night, as we were all leaving, one of the woman spotted Jenny in my car window and insisted that I let her out of the car so all could be introduced to Jenny.

  Jenny being the typical English Shepherd was overjoyed by the opportunity to meet new friends and rushed from one executive to another to be petted and fussed over.

   One of our members that evening was Senator  Herman Talmadge, of  Georgia's Talmadge family fame, and being the astute politician couldn't resist picking up Jenny as she ran to him to demonstrate that he was a true dog lover among his witnessing constituents.

   Predictably, Jenny in her attitude of puppy excitement peed down the front of the distinguished Senator.

  And, as one might expect, there was suddenly a predicable embarrassing pause among those of us trying desperately to suppress a giggle.

  The good Senator, without missing a beat, began praising Jenny as one exceptional patriotic American willing to articulate in her own fashion  her freedom of expression.

  Senator Talmadge was a generous man and subsequently would frequently inquired about the health and happiness of that "fine English Shepherd dog".