Written by This is our little bundle of joy, Phineas, who I’ve mentioned on several occasions. I thought I should add him to my little Cabinet of Curiosities before the month ends. He’s a full breed Basenji who stubbornly refuses to doodlewash and follow in his family’s footsteps. His personality is so distinct, that we do what most dog owners do, we talk for him. More than just putting the words in his mouth, we’ve envisioned a full personality profile.
Since he was a rescue found growing up on the tough streets of Topeka, Kansas, we assume he must have a very small town view of the world. This, combined with his rather wrinkled brow that makes it seem like he’s always a bit irritated with something and judging you, led to us deciding he’s also an extremely ultra-conservative Republican.
This was an admittedly ludicrous profile given this poor dog’s current situation. Beyond the obvious fact that he actually has two fathers and no mother in the home, he also has to endure a house that doesn’t eat meat with every meal.
Add to this, the fact that one of his dads is an immigrant and things just get cruelly complicated for the little guy. We’ve tried to explain it to him, but upon hearing that Philippe is not from America, Phineas just assumes he must be Mexican.
To keep things simple, we’ve given up trying to explain to him why his Aunt Aesha, Uncle Jeromey and even the President of the country he loves so much aren’t white. And he really won’t listen if you try to point out that his own bloodline comes from Africa and so technically he’s also African-American. To be fair, Jeromey also claims to simply be American, since he says he’s never been to Africa either.
Due to the personality we’ve crafted for him, we avoid discussing all types of politics. And though he does seem unusually interested when hearing FOX News mentioned in a conversation, it’s also very likely because he thinks it’s a show about actual foxes. Come to think of it, a show like that would be far less intellectually insulting and would, at the very least, be factually reliable.
But despite our complete and total differences, we’ve managed to communicate with Phineas and form a true bond. That’s the great thing about dogs. They don’t have to agree with your life in order to love you. And you don’t have to be exactly like them to earn their respect.
So our little household functions just fine with me, the immigrant, and a super conservative Basenji. Though I’m sure it must put quite a strain on poor Phineas. Luckily, with his little dog brain, he’s able to pick and choose what he wants to believe, so it all works out. And he’s super excited for the upcoming holiday season. Even though he knows that little gun he asked for won’t be under the tree once again this year.
Lol, a politically savvy Basenji! Phineas is a cutie! I love his wrinkled brows! I bet he will soon pick up doodlewashing, he’s just waiting for the right motivation! It’s good to know that love transcends the color of your skin, your heritage, and even political affiliation! 😊
It definitely does!! Thanks Kari! ❤️😃 Phineas is very cute, I think I captured him well, but was so nervous to show Philippe since it’s his baby. Lol… He loved it…got the likeness! But I don’t hold out much hope for getting him to doodlewash… being like he is, he’s quite stubborn. 🤔🐶
FABULOUS Doodlewash of Phineas, Charlie! He does have a conservative look about him. hehe! 😄🎨💜 Enjoyed your humor! 😉
Thanks Jill!! ❤️😃He’s a complex little guy to paint!! Since I did him in light pencil first, I almost erased him and moved on. Glad I finished though! 😊
Me too! 😄
This made me laugh out loud! “his rather wrinkled brow that makes it seem like he’s always a bit irritated with something and judging you, led to us deciding he’s also an extremely ultra-conservative Republican.”
I love it!
I’m on the dog’s side XD
What? Seriously?! Lol
😉 I’m not about to team up with your dog to argue about politics. 😛
Hehe… Thanks Allison!! I’m glad you liked this post. Yeah, extreme views are comical on dogs and well… people for that matter. Best to hang toward the middle and watch the show! 😉👍🏻
You totally cracked me up…ultra conservative Republican dog…poor Phineas! 😀 You’ve nailed his perplexed look though. He’s such a cutie!
Thanks Teresa!! ❤️😃Yeah… Poor little guy lives his life perplexed, but he’s definitely sweet given his political leanings. Philippe gave me the thumbs up on his likeness so that was a huge relief! Lol I was afraid if I messed it up a painting of his “baby” he would divorce me! 😳
Heehee…silly Charlie! Philippe knows he would be insane to let you go! x
Hehe…yeah, right? And I know Phineas will keep me around because I’m in charge of feeding him. 😉👍🏻
Lol, I can see who is really in charge of the household. Phineas is a darling!
Hehe…thanks Sharon! ❤️😃 Yeah, he’s pretty much the one calling the shots around here, and has Philippe wrapped around his little paw. 😉
I am chuckling. Aloud. Conservative dog. Hmm.Great sketch.
Hehe…thanks Kirk! Glad I made ya chuckle. He definitely has an interesting little personality. Even the part we don’t make up for him! 😉
Great Phineas Doodlewash!!
Thanks Nicole!! ❤️😃 Really glad you like it! And so does Phineas but he’s currently asleep … he’s convinced he’s going to get fan mail after this publicity so he’s resting up in anticipation. 😎🐶
Delightful story as always. Love the portrait, he looks like quite a character and a charmer. Am sure he is a prince of a companion with a somewhat quizzical brow. Thank you for sharing him with us. Peace.
Thanks so much Haunani!! Glad you liked this little guy and his story! Hehe…he’s a pretty amazing dog! 😊❤️
hahahaha…let me guess what his voting instincts will be in a few days’ time… 😉
I don’t even want to think about that! Lol 😳😊lol
What a great little guy, even if he is towards the Trumpington end of the political spectrum!
Thank Michael!! 😃 Yeah… the Trump bit is a shame, but luckily he’s not allowed to vote.
That’s Trumpian – damn spellcheck!
Haha…I figured that, but now I want look up what Trumpington means! Lol
Oh my gosh that was so funny! Great doodlewash too
Hehe… thanks so much Catherine!! ❤️😃I’m so glad you liked the story of Phineas. He’s definitely an unusual little dog! 😉
too funny! We too talk for Charlie and he has a personality! Glad to hear we aren’t the only wackos! charlie has a speech impediment – a bit of a lisp – that is why he was orphaned from his mean owners, but it is what we find endearing about him!
Thanks Jodi! ❤️😃Haha! A lisp?! That’s awesome…it doesn’t come through in his writing though which is probably why he chose that over a YouTube channel. 😉
Funny thing is though that friends that know me say when they read his posts they hear it😝
Haha…I think I’ll hear it from now on too! 😉
i hear (or dont hear) that Basenji dont bark.
Lovely that your puppy stood still long enough for the portrait!
Hehe…you’re right! They’re barkless…another amazing feature! And there was no way he was standing still that long! The rest is from reference photos and memory! 😉
Ah Phineas, you are so adorable but you need to relax, oh wait you feel asleep, such is the pups life! Great post and doodlewash Charlie!
Haha! Thanks Cathe! ❤️😃 Yeah…he’s sleeping most of the time which makes his radical leanings less frightening.
Oh, I´m soooo happy to finally see Phineas here!!! And I really enjoyed reading his life story and learning about his personality a little… Glad you don´t get him a gun, but to avoid disappointment you could buy him a laser sword. That´s a lot cooler anyway! He would be Darth Phader. 😉
Haha!! Oh my…I can’t even imagine what he would do with a laser sword!! 😳😳But that is more awesome! Glad you liked this Ann!! ❤️😃
I knew I always liked Phineas even though we have officially never met. 🙂 Tell him he is not alone and that there are many of us that can definitely be sweet and not-so-judgmental despite our political leanings! Here hee!! Three cheers for Phineas!! 👏 👏 👏🎉🎉🎉🎉
lol…thanks Jill! Glad you found a friend in Phineas… his views are just more on the extreme side. Hehe And completely made up as he really is just a dog and would prefer treats over politics. Come to think of it…he and I do have something in common!! 😉hehe
Aw, this is wonderful, Charlie (and hilarious)! A tender but very characterful portrait. Phineas is so ridiculously adorable; I love the perplexed look! It’s so funny when dogs wear that expression. The eyes look too loving to me to be deliberating anything radical or judgmental… perhaps I am falling for his charm… well, I think that clear. Did I saw aw? Aw!! <3
Yeah…you’re just falling for his insidious charm! He’s still a radical! Lol…not really…but we love to make things ups and anything moderate would have just been boring. Glad you like this one Jacob!! 😃
Oh my goodness, I’m falling off my chair laughing. A true American family you are, and thank heaven only you and Philippe can vote. Still, Phineas wins all with those eyes. Gotta forgive him his politics.
Hehe…thanks Sharon! 😃 Yeah…it’s really good he can’t vote. Would be just another poor animal voting against his own best interests. So sad! But yeah…he wins on cute so the rest of our little family ignores his views. 😉
Oh, my God, Charlie that was funny even though you do totally stereotype republican voters! We’re not all like that, you know. (Then again, we call our cats democrats because they are so entitled, lol 🤣) And we don’t even need to talk for them because they are highly articulate for little bundles of fur, lol. We say they missed their calling, they could’ve been movie stars ⭐️ This was one of your funniest posts, even with the stereotyping. 👍
hehe… glad you liked it, Miste! 😃💕 It was stereotyping on purpose, of course, for comedic effect, although those versions of people DO exist like that, which is a little frightening actually. lol I’m well aware it’s an extreme, but that’s what makes it so funny when embodied in a small dog. 😉
😁 Suuuuure you were, Charlie! hahaha 🤣
It’s okay, I see some of those people too. On the right and the left there are extremes and I agree, it is frightening (and mind-boggling!). Our family is actually nonpartisan–they have that designation in CA–probably what would be called conservative liberals or something, lol, and even we don’t always agree on issues.
You’re right, it did make it funny and was a fabulous character sketch for Phineas! This post truly had me cracking up! 💕👍
Yeah… extremes are always both funny and terrifying at once! LOL I don’t think extreme is ever a way to sort problems. There’s always a middle solution that proves a bit magical. 😉
Yes, Charlie, completely agree with you. To be a peacemaker and problem solver is the way to go. 🌟
[…] hadn’t given up, but found his inspiration again from our little dog Phineas. For this doodlewash he says he added hints of blue to reflect the “melancolique” […]