HAPPY PON Day!!!!!!!

Happy Dyngus Day!  AND Happy PON Day!!!!  First off let’s start with an explanation about Dyngus Day…It’s a holiday in Poland and it is celebrated by Polish Americans as well.  It is not a government holiday – but cities where there are lots of Polish Americans celebrate the day – South Bend,  Chicago, Pittsburgh, to name a few – and the OFFICIAL Dyngus Day capitol of America – and the birthplace of my very own human- Buffalo, New York.

Dyngus day marks the end of lent – the day after Easter.  According to some sources, the pouring of water was an ancient spring rite of cleansing.  In Poland, men would throw water on girls and also hit them with pussy willows.  Some would also spray them with perfume.  All to get noticed, I understand.  I BET they were noticed.  But not to worry- for those who are crying sexism -because the next day, the women would throw dishes at the men.  Seriously.  I am NOT making this up.

Anyway, today in the US, there are huge celebrations – like those in Buffalo.  We’re talking a parade and EVERYTHING.  I wish I was there – I would be marching for SURE.  I also understand that there is much eating, dancing, and the odd drink. 

So given this celebratory day – it seems PERFECT that it would also be PON day!!!! While I believe that EVERY day is PON day, I think it’s cool to have a REALLY special day for us.  So for those reading this, who aren’t OWNED by a PON, here’s a quick review about us.

P.O.N. comes from Polski Owczarek Nizinny – the Polish words for Polish Lowland Sheepdog.    In an almost English sounding translation – polskee   ahv char-ek   ni szhinee.   Clearly, PON is easier!

We are an old breed, with early accounts of us dating back to the 13^th century.  We were originally bred as flock herders.  We were not the flock guardians – that was done by bigger dogs – although my human would argue that we certainly guard OUR household!

Back in the 1500’s there is evidence that WE were directly involved in  breeding what became the Bearded Collie.  Yup.  You Beardie people can thank us – just send treats.  We were actively bred for years but by the beginning of the 20^th century, sheep herding was supposedly not thriving, and we became less necessary.  After the First World War, a Countess decided to actively start breeding us again.  I think she was a VERY smart woman.  The first two PONs shown in a dog show were in 1924.  I wonder if those guys had fancy grooming tables and brushes? Some other kennels also started breeding us, through 1937. It was at that point that it looked like people were really getting interested in us.  But then some not-so-smart humans started the Second World War – and all the records on breeding were pretty much lost.  After the war, in 1948, the Polish Kennel Club was formed.  With lots of work and research, in 1957 the first kennel to register PONs was proclaimed.  The standard for PONs was written in 1959.  The "standard" for non-dog-show people are the "rules" that describe what a purebred dog should look like - in size, color, coat, etc.  In 1965, NINE PONS were shown at the World Dog Show.  The FCI officially recognized the breed in 1959, the American Kennel Club recognized us in 2001 (took them long enough) and the Canadian Kennel Club finally recognized us in 2006 in the herding group. Honestly, I’m not sure what all this “recognizing” means.  Were these kennel clubs not sure what we were?  I mean it’s not like you could mistake us for chihuahuas or something.

 Now for the good stuff.  WHAT is a PON REALLY like?  We are smart.  VERY smart.  And sometimes, according to my human – we CAN be just a LITTLE bit stubborn.  I don’t see it myself – but that’s what SHE says.  We are active – and honestly – DO require exercise.  Because IF you DON’T exercise us – at LEAST mentally – we WILL find things to do ourselves.  Like destroy things.    Smart and stubborn CAN be deadly combo.  But my human LOVES a challenge : )

Many of us LIKE food.  I mean REALLY like food.  REALLY LIKE FOOD.  So IF you humans are smart, and you want to teach us something…well, let's just say that we LIKE to be rewarded.  LOTS. 

We’re mid-sized.  Which means you don’t need a van if you own us.  If you want us to look like the shaggy dogs you see in the magazines – you DO need to brush us.  If you start brushing us when we are LITTLE – your life will be much happier.  MUCH happier.  We require a good brushing probably once a week if you want to keep the shaggy, Beatles hair do.  If not, we are quite happy to be clipped down.

Some of us (read FRODO) also like to bark.  He likes to bark when my human gets up.  When she is getting dressed.  When she is getting our breakfast.  When she takes me out.  You get the picture.  Me – I’m not QUITE that vocal. 

We LIKE people, but can be suspicious of strangers.  If the strangers have treats – all the better.

And lastly, we are comedians.  Seriously.  I am not joking.  We have an uncanny way of making our humans laugh.  And here is fair warning – IF we have done something bad – that IS kind of cute – DO NOT LAUGH. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you laugh – because one other trait is that we NEVER forget.  Ever.  We will remember.  And we will do whatever it was that we were not supposed to do.  Just because you laughed.  We also NEVER, EVER forget where the treats and food is stored.

So THAT’S the story of us PONs – and clearly we deserve a “day” for the unique, cool breed that we are. Some would say we are like potato chips.  You can’t have just one.  Me, I say we are like kielbasa.  If you have one link, you just have to have another. Speaking of which – it must almost be time for breakfast!

Have a WONDERFUL PON day!!!!! I know I will!

©  Linda Wozniak