The wonder is ...

[pompei595]

I have a very hazy recollection of a saying which I think came from comments when seeing a performing dog. The phrase was something about the quality of the act itself not being very good, but it was a wonder that it was being done at all ... or something like that...

Anyone know the expression ?

[Clanad]

You're sure it's a dog and not a horse as in One trick pony?

[dundurn]

Dr Johnson: a woman preaching is like a dog walking on its hind legs; it is not done well, but one is surprised to see it done at all.

(Apologies if the exact wording/ punctuation is a littleoff.)

[dundurn]

Actually forget the apologies to Johnson; if a great wit and a learned man, he was nevertheless an unreconstructed MCP. Apologies to women preachers!

[dxhound2003]

Another version:

According to a classic story of 18th Century London, Dr. Samuel Johnson gamely attended a heavily hyped public performance by a talking dog. When asked to summarize his experience to his friends, he famously declared: "The wonder was not that it was done well, but that it was done at all."

[Clanad]

If it's appropriate let me tell you about a talking dog here in the U.S.... Guy walks into a bar with a dog... bartender says "Get 'im outta here... no dogs allowed"... But the owner says "let me prove he's a talking dog"... Bartender give him one chance...owner says to dog "... Whats's the top part of a building called?"... Dog exclaims "Roof!"... The bartender throws them both out into the alley. The owner brushes himself off and walks back in, only to be warned again, but begs for one more chance. Bartender says "go ahead"... Dog owner says, what's the texture of sand paper?" Dog responds "Ruff".... again thrown bodily out. Last time, the owner and dog struggle back into the bar only to be met by the fearsome bartender, but hoping to prove his dog, the owner quickly asks "... Who was the most famous baseball player for the N.Y. Yankees?'... dog quickly says as clearly as a dog can... "Ruth"... dog and owner pick themselves up in the alley and the dog looks at the owner and asks, "... Well, then who was it, Dimaggio?"

[Quizmonkey]

The Dr Johnson quote is often adapted to comment on women and driving these days...