Doggie Analysis

…Brenda comes to ‘Singing for Health’ each week, in her wheel chair, with her dog Rosie on her lap; we always sing ‘How Much is that Doggie in the Window?’ in honour of Rosie.

The song illustrates what I shall call ‘Doggie Analysis’:

• She knows what she wants: ‘The doggie in the window’
• She knows what she doesn’t want: ‘I don’t want a bunny or a kittie…’
• She’s prepared to pay the price: ‘I do hope that doggie’s for sale.’

Lowestoft Gull Wing Bridge… Two huge sections have arrived and been installed:

• We want – better traffic flow, access across Lake Lothing, the bridge completed.
• We don’t want – traffic congestion, further road closures or delays
• We’re prepared to pay the price – temporary inconvenience, £126.75m…

There’s a surge in shoplifting… blamed on the cost of living crisis and drug issues:

• People want – food, clothing…
• They don’t want – hunger, going without
• They’re prepared to pay the price – arrest, prosecution, a police record…

Bryan went for hospital tests on his prostate:

• Bryan wants – reassurance, to know if there’s a problem, early treatment if necessary.
• Bryan doesn’t want – anxiety of not knowing, the problem growing through inaction.
• Bryan willingly paid the price – waiting patiently for an appointment, discomfort of the test, indignity of being watched by young students…

After a failed marriage, Hilary’s in a relationship with Andrew… He proposed to her…

• Hilary wants – security for her children, a loving, stable relationship with Andrew.
• Hilary doesn’t want – unhappy children, further distress, instability, insecurity.
• Hilary’s prepared to pay the potentially risky price – she said ‘Yes’.

Each of Jesus’ encounters… with the blind beggar, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, Peter, Judas… can be subject to doggie analysis.

Jesus announced his intentions in the Nazareth synagogue:

• Jesus wants – good news, freedom, sight-recovery, release…
• Jesus doesn’t want – poverty, prisoners, blindness, oppression…
• Jesus was prepared to pay the price – service, humility, compassion, suffering…

And me…? I conduct my doggie analysis… what I want… don’t want… if I’m prepared to pay the price…