That's Life

That's Prometheus in the background of this photo. In Greek mythology he is a Titan, known for wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to us mere mortals. Zeus punished him for that crime by having him tied to a rock while an eagle ate his liver, only to have it grow back and be eaten again the next day. Years later, the Greek hero, Hercules, shot the eagle and freed Prometheus from the rock.

For those of you who have never been there, the picture is of Rockefeller Center in the heart of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, and what I'm wondering is; where did the sheep and dog come from? I don't know. All I can tell you is that it was taken in 1948 by George Silk for Life Magazine and it's a great shot.

I can't help but wonder if it doesn't have something to do with Arthur Allen, who is widely considered the father of the American Border Collie. He was one of the first Americans to import UK and Irish dogs and , around this time, was active competing in sheepdog trials, giving demonstrations and performing at rodeos with his dogs. He founded the North American Sheepdog Society in 1940 and served as President from 1951 until his death at 92 in 1996. The NASDS sponsored Allen's North American Supreme, which he won every year between 1954 and 1976. I guess that makes Mr. Allen something of Titan himself.