ARTIST
ON THE CUTTING EDGE
April- June 2016 Volume 1
When we at AOTCE talk about SALT OF THE EARTH, we are speaking about people who contribute to the overall good of our society. We at AOTCE feel that Irvin Cannon fits this category well. He graduated from college in chemistry, with the hope of going on to medical school. Life sometimes happens and he became a math teacher instead. After working as a teacher, Irvin became a Detroit police officer. Years later, while on the job, he was fired upon and sustained a gunshot wound. Shortly after, Irvin became a member of the bomb squad. He recreated himself again and became a first time author while maintaing a full time job elsewhere.
It is his book, "For The Love of Dog Tales" that catapulted him into the sights of AOTCE. As Irvin writes, the book is about the "life's stories told through the experiences of our closest companion".
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"For The Love of Dog Tales"
by Irvin L. Cannon
"Below, were the kennels that held the fighting dogs, and inside the makeshift ring two competitors fought, surrounded by loud, jubilant, drunk , betting spectators, As the two dogs tore into each other-much to the heartened delights of the men surrounding the combatants-another set of captive eyes watched from a distance away, inside the kennels.
Brisk, an American Staffordshire terrier-otherwise known as a pit bull-stood attentive in his kennel, occasionally barking, then feinting and ducking side-to-side, observing the competitors closely, "Watch it, Needlenose? Boy that young kid got some good stuff on him."
Worm, an aging boxer and fellow competitor who'd been bested by Brisk a number of times--but like a true sportsman still considered Brisk his closest associate--yelled, "He does, but e's still young yet. He needs to learn the ins and outs of the fight game!
Within moments, the fight was over as Needlenose, with dominant vigor, pinned the younger dog to the ground, its tail firmly planted between its legs in submission. Two men separated them, and one of the men wiped Needlenose off with a towel, returning him to his cage alongside Brisk. "Good fight there," Brisk said. "Way ta stick 'im."
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Irvin currently lives in Arizona with his wife and companion Carlieta who he affectionately calls "Dubby".