Shih Tzu

Natural Selection

            Shih Tzu can be dated back to as far as the Tang Dynasty in 618 to 907A.D. Another record of Shih Tzu’s entering Chinese Court was in the mid-17^th century when these dogs were brought from Tibet. These dogs were then bred in the Forbidden City of Peking (Kennel). These dogs resemble a lion that is represented in Oriental art. Shih Tzu translates into lion. Shih Tzu is the oldest and smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs. Shih Tzu’s are also called “the chrysanthemum-faced dog” because the hair grows about the face in all directions (Kennel). According to the American Kennel Club, “the Shih Tzu was a house pet during most of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 A.D.) and that they were highly favored by the royal family. Dowager Empress Cixi kept an important kennel of Pugs, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu. After her death in 1908 the dogs were dispersed and breeding mostly ceased. When the Communist Revolution occurred in China the breed became almost extinct. Every Shih Tzu today can be traced to fourteen dogs - seven bitches and seven dogs - some of which were imported to England where breeding of the Shih Tzu began in 1930. Shih Tzus were separate breeds; the Shih Tzu Club of England was formed in 1935” (Kennel). DNA analysis placed the ancestors of today's Shih Tzu breed in the group of ancient breeds indicating "close genetic relationship to wolves (Wikipedia).

            Shih Tzu’s are small dogs with a short muzzle and large deep dark eyes, with a soft long, double coat consisting of fur and hair. Drop ears are covered with long fur, and the heavily furred tail is carried curled over the back. The coat may be of any color, although a blaze of white on the forehead and tail-tip is frequently seen. The Shih Tzu is slightly longer than tall, and dogs ideally should carry themselves "with distinctly arrogant carriage" (Wikipedia). A very noticeable feature is the under bite, which is required in the breed standard. Shih Tzu’s are friendly dogs, and tend to get along well with most people.

            Shih Tzu’s have a thick coat due to the cool habitat they were used to living in, in China and Tibet. Since these dogs are closely related to the wolf family, these dogs still have the instinct to sniff and mark their territory. These little dogs use their ears to sense an intruder. As a dog that lived with monks during the 17^th century, these dogs still have a calm disposition and tend to get along with people. Shih Tzu’s tend to walk to an arrogant air this maybe due to how highly they were regarded in China.

            I have had a Shih Tzu since he was three months old and Sonny is now over a year old. When Sonny was only six months I observed that he would mark his territory when we go on walks. He wasn’t taught to do that but he just knew to do it. When interacting with other dogs he knows the appropriate way to approach the dogs. Sonny also had the instincts chase smaller animals.  He also knows to bark at intruders.

             

                                                                Works Cited

American Kennel Club. “Shih Tzu History.”  Web 12 Dec. 2010

“Shih Tzu.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web.12 Dec. 2010



Fast Food Nation

The theme of the film Fast Food Nation is that everyone is being exploited by the Fast Food Corporations; the teenagers working at the restaurant chains, the immigrants working at the meat plants, and even the people working at the corporations.

There were some parts of the film that I think were effective one scene that was effective was when the character Don Anderson was at the laboratory tasting flavor strips that tasted like food. Another effective part was showing the ranch and what had happened to his land. Especially the last scene which emphasized that life goes on. Corporations care about their business and nothing about the employees or local farmers.

The parts that were not so effective were the unnecessary sex scenes which I thought were pointless to the film.

The decisions the director, Linklater, and Schlosser, the writer, had to make to transfer the book to film were that they had to put scenes that would be interesting to the viewers. Linklater did not mention Disney or the founders of fast food or the history. I believe he did this because it would not be interesting as well as it would not go with the story line. Instead he put in chapters from the book that would be interesting to the viewers. Linklater put a lot of unnecessary sex scene probably because some viewers may think it’s entertaining.

I was interested in the film because I wanted to see how it well the film version related to the book. I personally do not like fast food and watching this film only made me dislike fast food even more.

The characters that are appealing in the film are Amber and her family. Amber was the teenager that worked at the fast food restaurant. Linklater made them appealing to the film because many viewers can relate to the teenager that goes to school and works to pay bills. Don Anderson was an appealing character because we learned through his eyes. By the end of the film I was rooting for him to make a change in the corporation however he only succumbed to the corporate giants.

If Linklater called me up tomorrow and said he wanted to make a film with me, the subject I would choose would be the United States of America becoming a Nanny Nation. I believe that the people are depending too much on the government to make laws for us to live by. Such as taxing sodas so we don’t get fat. It should be the peoples responsibilities to lose weight not the governments.

The Good Life

 

Living a good life means, appreciating the little things in life and always thinking in a positive light. Being able to do some of the things that I most enjoy which consists of reading, drawing, traveling, and spending time with my support system; my friends and family. 

I live a good life by setting goals and having motivation to reach the goals I've set in my life. To strive for these goals and never give up on them. Just being thankful for having a roof over my head and clothes on my back. 

 

In order to create the conditions in my life so that I can live a good life I need a support system which consists of my family and friends that care for me and want to see me succeed in life. They also motivate me to continue on with my goals.

The advances in technology help me to live a good life in contemporary society. Through the advances of technology I am able to communicate with friends and family no matter where I am.

Money is what makes it hard to live a good life in society today. Since the economy is doing bad, there was a point where I thought I could not afford college.

People that have pessimistic view on life are people I believe are not living a good life because they would see only the bad sides and not the good; the positive.