That Doggie in the Window by Chipka
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Description
I see dogs in passenger-seats of various automotive contrivances, and I think of a song by Iggy Pop. “The Passenger.” I think that in choosing that particular song to perform, the venerable Mr. Pop found himself in a position in which he was perfectly able (and willing) to channel the pure spirit of Canus Doggus Passengerus…or whatever the Latin name is for dogs in passenger-seats of automotive contrivances powered by internal combustion.
I see dogs in stylized vehicular contrivances and think: they are passengers…they ride and ride…they ride through the city’s backside…they see the stars come out of the sky…yeah, they’re bright in a hollow sky…” eh, you know that song, and if not, it’s on YouTube. The point is, I see dogs in sleek (though sometimes-inefficient) locomotive machines, riding along, sticking their heads into the wind so that they may more accurately smell the world coming at them. I see dogs, smelling the world, and processing all of that information, while their human companions are relegated to nothing more than seeing it.
Dogs in car-windows are always so incredibly amused, always so engaged in the world: it doesn’t go by them. Instead it goes up their nostrils: it becomes a part of them. There’s something to learn from this: just as there are things to learn from cats. Animals—those we consider below us—are always teaching us things, simply because they lack the one thing that differentiates us from them: arrogance. Their lack of arrogance allows them to feel the world, to smell it and to taste it…to satisfy lusts for life that human beings allow ourselves to read about and to experience only from a distance.
I love dogs, because—unlike cats—they make me think of Iggy Pop. I love cats and woodlice, but they don’t remind me of Iggy Pop. I love yellow jackets, but unfortunately, they’d probably sting Iggy Pop…and I love Iggy Pop, because he’s as goofy and as immersed life as any dog sitting in the passenger seat of a rather flatulent automotive contrivance, allowing the whole world to blow into his nostrils.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting on this and previous posts…a special thanks goes to the dog who inspired the capture of this image—a dog, as you can see, interested in being a charming passenger.
Comments (25)
Orinoor
I have often heard people try to define the difference between humans and any other animal, but I think you have hit the nail on the head with your assessment. I like other peoples' dogs and never miss a chance to watch them. Wonderful image!
NefariousDrO
Somehow I'd never equated dogs with Iggy Pop, but what I've always loved about dogs is how much they truly live in the moment. There is no past, no future, only NOW. And now is always totally engaging. Whatever a dog does it throws itself into completely, utterly without any holding back. You can so clearly see that in this dog's attention. It stares out the window with a complete intensity and fascination that consumes its entire being. Even if it's for only an instant that dog is totally concentrated on one thing right down to it's toes and to the tip of its tail. I admire that about them.
danapommet
If you blow in a dogs face - they either bark of snort. But they will ride forever; with their nose out the window and it doesn't bother them at all. Great shot. Dana
myrrhluz
Dogs are such fun to watch. There enthusiasm is infectious. There reactions are instantaneous. I have watched my niece's dog go from total dejection to rapt attention, to complete rapture in an instant, because she has entered the room. Excellent capture! The passenger is so intent on the sights and smells out there. I like the view of the driver. Long hair caught by the sun and continuing in strands down her jacket. One hand casually holding the wheel, the other in motion, perhaps reaching for a drink or to change the music. She is by necessity in the world of getting them to where ever they are going, while her passenger revels in the freedom of looking wherever he will. Wonderful composition and color. The dog is brown in a world of reds and blacks. Superb capture of the dogs alert expression and pose. Very fine shot and interesting narrative!
MrsRatbag
I love watching dogs' excitement in their people's cars...I would love to see inside their heads as they watch the world going by so quickly! Great capture, Chip!
CoreyBlack
I LOVE THIS!! I was there when you took it( couldn't get my camera out fast enough)and have been waiting for you to post it for 6 weeks now. Dogs and cars, what can I say, they're a natural combination and I love them both. Cats on the other hand seem to go with sofas, and you don't see too many people driving those down the road-there's an image! Can you imagine a cat on a sofa going down Kimball Ave at 40 mph? Not pretty.Probably wouldn't smell too good either! I like cats o.k., but they're a little too prissy and aloof for my tastes. Give me a nice friendly dog any day. Put him in the passenger seat, cruise around listening to the inimitable Mr. Pop. Doesn't get any better than that. I say La la la la la la la la la la....
auntietk
The immediacy of this is so engaging! That is one in-the-moment doggie. I wonder, sometimes, what they're thinking about. Mandy is always scamming for a treat or trying to get us to lift her up onto a comfy chair. She's most fun when she's at the beach, or exploring some new environment. That's when I see this all-out involvement in whatever's right there in front of her. Great shot!
Crabbycabby
Great Image, great narrative.
beachzz
And of course, all I could think of when I saw the title, was "How much IS that doggie in the window"? Where I live, dogs usually ride in the back of pickup trucks with their ears flapping in the breeze. I have a dog sitting at my feet right this very moment; my sister's dog who follows me everywhere. Around here, dogs are allowed in the lot of the stores. So when Beaux and I walk, if we pass one of those places, he automatically turns to go in to get his treat. Simple, basic creatures!! Great shot and another wonderful narrative.
helanker
HA! That is how my Magnus is standing when we drive .....in warmer weather than right now, of course. What a fun and beautiful capture. You were faster than Corey. :) How mean of you to let him wait for SO long time before you finally posted this :-D.. And I so love you little spin around this shot.
durleybeachbum
That's a handsome creature! I prefer mine not to hang out of the window as they could be blinded by stuff being thrown out the car in front. A friend of mine was saved from that by his helmet visor when he was struck by a peach stone tossed from a car. Ralph looks intently into the rear-view mirror, maybe at me or maybe not, I can't tell. Buster leans against the window like in Midnight Cowboy, and Fritz searches the floor for food. Hetty used to sit on the front passenger seat, or on the front passenger if there was one.
GARAGELAND
IGGY RULES, & so does this pic!!!!!!!!!!!!
bmac62
Only thing that may beat this is a dog in the back of an open pickup truck. I'd always be afraid I'd never see my dog again if I tried the pickup trick... But that aside, excellent photo of this non-arrogant inhaler of life:)
KateBlack10
Great shot Chip! I love your narrative. You are always so good at seeing things that I just feel but never can figure out how to put words to them. So true about the non-arrogance. I LOVE the way that each of my dogs has taught me every day about what matters most in life - living in the moment, cuddling and looking for a tasty treat!
Sea_Dog
Leave it to Chip to see the depth in an ordinary thing like a dog riding in a car. I love your imagery of the dog smelling what's ahead in the world and taking it all in - so perfectly describes the total joy our canine companions exude as they navigate us down the road. Well done, as usual, Chip.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.I like your insight and thoughts about dogs hanging out of car windows.
sandra46
AMAZING SHOT!
RodS
OK - now you've gone and done it, Chip! After this, I'll never see a dog riding in a car without thinking of Iggy Pop! LOL! What scares the daylights out of me, are the ones rolling down the street with thier heads sticking out of the DRIVER'S side..... That always gives me pause.... Great photo of this expressive pooch.
lick.a.witch
Barney and cars are not friends. Cars to him mean being returned to the dog centre and it's a vision he finds hard to put behind him. So it's whine all the way - the only time, apart from dreaming, he makes any noise at all! Fabulous image of this happy passenger and your narrative makes it doubly so! ^=^
jac204
You share quite an insight here. Great capture.
flavia49
marvelous shot!
kasalin
Excellent capture, dear Chip !!!!!
CaressingTheDark
Love this
three_grrr
I've always wondered why they are called Dog. And notice early on that it is God spelled backward. So I was highly amused when I heard the expression, "Oh my Dog". It still makes me giggle. But ... I have come to the conclusion that the name Dog was chosen because it IS God backwards. Dog gives us the only real sample of Unconditional Love. Someone said it's a minute sample of what God gives us, and we were given Dog so we would know just what Unconditional Love is. Murphy is a good example .. no matter what I do that poor pup, he loves me. No grudges, no hard feelings, no show of being angry for even a moment. No matter how ugly of a mood I'm in .. sigh. Dogs area great. They DO teaches us a LOT. The most important thing is to live in the moment. Dogs don't dwell on what happened last year, or last week, they don't stress on what's going to happen tonight. They just are, and they glory in the moment. Very cool image .. and observations
praep
They often really like driving with cars or motorcycles with side cars. Great capture.