Vol.VI – Issue No. 21 – Mar 2011

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS
(of the pleasant kind)

Yesterday, at a writers and authors’ conference, I met a veterinarian lady (of a certain age which, from my perspective, made her even more interesting than just because of her occupation and profession).  In the course of introducing ourselves she asked if I liked animals.

Not one to miss an opportunity for scoring a few points with an interesting woman, I said, indeed, I do like animals, and as illustration of that fact explained that almost any kind of dog and I had an immediate affinity, because I spoke dog. Smiling at that, she said – I thought you might be a dog person…but…what about cats….or other animals?-

Without missing a beat, I said I was generally on speaking terms with any kind of cat, some more than others, but otherwise, okay, and that made her laugh. It seemed we were both at one of those ah-hah moments, when chance encounters are of the pleasant kind. As for herself she was obviously an animal lover, very passionate about their care and treatment and planning to write a book about it.  From what I could discern she was more of a cat fancier (well, no one is perfect), but her practice gave her encounters with all sorts of creatures. I was about to ask her some more about that, when the conference was called to order.

At the first break, after networking with a variety of others in the room, I then quietly maneuvered myself to her proximity. She had apparently been doing the same, so we found ourselves face to face again. Picking up where we had left off, she asking me what other animals did I like, besides dogs, and tolerating cats? I smiled, and began giving her my list of these. First, there were horses, even though the few that I had known had tried their damndest to kill me. Her eyes, twinkling with good humor, encouraged me to continue with my encounters in the animal kingdom, so…. how long ago…. I’d tamed and made a pet of a wild chipmunk, of my close relationship with a family cow, a sweet little Jersey, whose only flaw was having to be milked twice a day, and, of my efforts to train a barnyard pigeon to become a homing carrier pigeon instead(a dismal failure); then, of course, there was a six pack of Black Angus steers, who always came bounding across their pasture to me, like wildly loving half ton Labradors, knowing I had treats for them. Her smiles and merry giggles about it all convinced me we were definitely….connecting.

At this point the break was over and we went back to our seats. We would have to continue things later on.

At lunch we shared a table, and her cross-examination of my being an animal lover went on. Barnyard livestock were all well and good, but how about other kinds of animals, how about those? Not stumped by that, I claimed credit for two wildlife encounters overseas. One was a young golden eagle I rescued, by buying it from a street peddler of wildlife there, then teaching it how to fly, which it eventually did….then left….never coming back. Unhappy about that, but, wildlife was wildlife, so what could one do. The other was with a young leopard which a roommate had brought back from Cambodia, as a pet! For some reason it became more attached to me than to him, its idea of friendship being to sprawl all eighty pounds of itself over my reclining frame in the lounge chairs we used for siesta on the porch, to cuddle for that noon-time siesta, happily purring like a full-throttle diesel in my ear, while occasionally licking my chin to show we were truly….pals! (somewhat jealously, my roommate claimed it was really only checking out my edible index…not a sign of affection). Sadly, that beautiful creature ultimately died from a terrible mishap, leaving both of us devastated by it.

By now the lady seemed properly convinced I was an animal lover, without being a fanatic about it. Meanwhile, we went on with the subject of the conference….getting books published and more importantly….how to market them.

She was in the planning stages for getting her book published. Mine was already published. We both talked about how new technology was making producing books a lot easier, but, marketing them was really the main problem. I pointed out, in her case, she had an advantage over me, because she was preparing one on how to take care of  pets, farm livestock, and even exotic species, and today’s market was insatiable for any kind of –how to- content, any kind of – self-help content, or even any kind of –spiritual and self-awareness- content. Its focus for such content was much like piranhas swarming over anything in the water near them. For writers, like me, however, whose only offerings were running commentaries on events of the day, politics, etc…..not so much.

Her reaction to the mention of politics drove my point home, as she exclaimed….I hate politics! Curious about that I asked her why. She explained by saying – It’s all just a bunch of idiots hollering at each other about whose ideas are better than the others. None of them listen. They all just rant about their point of view, and no one else’s. Yeck! –

Grinning broadly, I told her that was one of the best definitions of today’s partisan environment I had yet heard, and would she mind if I quoted it for one of my columns. Flattered, she just grinned back saying….be my guest!

Continuing with our exchange and repartee, I then asked – when someone comes to you with their pet for treatment or advice about what to do about something, do they ever ask questions about what you propose? – She answered – of course -. So I asked – And do they always accept or agree with what you tell them, or, do they ask even more questions about what you propose?-  Puzzled, frowning slightly, she said – Yes, often, then I have to almost draw them little pictures, just to convince them I’m right and know what I’m doing! –

Grinning broadly at her I said – There you go! Each time you do that….you’re engaged in….politics….the only difference is….in those situations you’re not braying at each other like a couple of dumb-ass donkeys. You’re discussing pros and cons. We all do it every day of our lives with each other. You don’t hate….politics….you just hate the way some folks engage in it.-

Fortunately, the lady had a good sense of humor, so we exchanged business cards….her Noah’s Ark logo for my Centurion logo. Frankly, I think I got the better part of the deal, because, if ever I’m in need for a good veterinarian….I’ll know whom to call. But what the hell need is there today for calling a….centurion?

Even so….it was indeed a chance encounter of the pleasant kind!

CENTURION