Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Ambitions of Levi

I remember the day that I met Levi.  I had, at first, mistaken him for a ball of down feathers that had escaped from a nearby pillow. He was about the size of a grapefruit, impish, as most puppies are, and brilliantly white. But amongst his other traits the subtlest of all was ambition.  As he glanced up at me with the blackest of eyes he was rewarded with a grin because it was at that point that I knew this animal was like none other.



I, personally, have a strong distaste for most animals.  It isn't that I despise the companionship or warmth that they bring to a home.  It isn't that at all.  Throughout most of my childhood my house functioned as something of a private zoo and it was because of this that I developed a slight aversion to pets.  But as I have stated Levi was different.  His eyes held wisdom beyond his years as if when he was brought into this world he instantly knew just what his purpose was. As I said he is an ambitious pup and that has become more apparent over time.  Levi has expressed his intention to become a stage actor on more than one occasion. 
Levi's favorite holiday is Christmas.  For this photo, to test out his abilities as an actor, I asked him to appear pensive yet retain an air of humility.  I think he pulled it off nicely.

Though I have told him that the world of acting is quite competitive, especially for pets, Levi refuses to yield to my advice and give up on his dream.  He has expressed that the one role that stands out in his mind is that of an American war general. Levi practices everyday by peering out of windows for long lengths of time as if he is about to issue a command that will turn the tide in favor of American forces.




This mindset emerged soon after watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown".  Seeing Snoopy portray a World War II flying ace was the catalyst that ignited his passion to become the best canine thespian to trot the globe.  Aside from aspiring to become an actor Levi has delved into writing quite a bit.  Currently he is working on a biopic of Mark Twain called, "A Dog's Tale", drawing the title from Twain's 1903 short story.  Levi has cast himself to play the lead character and though he may look like the legendary author I feel as though he lacks the emotional depth to accurately capture the essence of Mark Twain.  He may also want to avoid placing himself as the main character of the film because he has always feared being typecast as a 20th Century American writer.

















I have always told Levi to follow this very ambitious dream because even if it never comes to fruition he can at least reprise the role of the Wampa in the live action stage version of "The Empire Strikes Back".


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