DOG GONE! While watching the rescue efforts trying to save household pets from Katrina's floods waters – dogs, cats and any other critters mankind befriends and invites in his domain - I kept thinking about a book I read years ago dealing with a dog-napping gang operating in the Crescent City.
I remember I read the book because assumed it had to be about the “historic” French Quarter. I had, shortly before that, visited New Orleans for my first and only visit as a member of the convention-eers who help the Quarter stay in business. The book only touched on the French Quarter being right where the French left it when they unloaded it on the Spanish for a short time and the norte americanos when Thomas Jefferson issued a purchase order purchasing the entire purchase. And, as usual, it was done for some ridiculously low price which I will refrain from even mentioning.
In modern times there was some crisp, folding money to be made dealing in dogs down there. The mutt merchants had an international arrangement whereby canines were gathered in from several source ....quasi-legal – a dog catcher who was poor a math; a pet-polisher/clipper/styler with an expensive girl friend; a shadowy vet with varicosed principles.
Two additions are necessary at this point. Add one pretty young girl who has developed an interesting hobby-job of raising puppies which she then takes to her nearby hospital to serve as “four-legged friends” to the older, inactive residents. Then, bring on a young who is a successful dog-napper-catcher. Not so in this case. He makes the mistake of falling in love with the girl who become the leading suspect in the case. They work it all out and it made a good story.
It turned out I didn't miss the”French Quarter” after all.It may just be that this flood and all I feel must follow unless some radical changes in effect right away. Much of the old area has long been a rather shabby sham. It has, long ago become an over-painted plywood plaything. The women are, too often, girls; the jazz music is rock; the entertainment is under-financed and no-show; the bars and booze rate "B" at best. Food? Too spicy and too pricey.
Vegas wins all the way.
A.L.M . September 19, 2005 [c401wds]
