Home on the Range - Human Style

Hi,

I just located this winter e-mail, and, while it says much more about me than my canine buddy (that would be Baron), it definitely belongs in the Poodle Place collection. You will really appreciate this entry after you hear about our visit with our brand new "doggie dermatologist".

Maybe I should have entitled this "Home on the Range - Randee Style". Let's face it dear, talented cooks - I am not one of you!

Yesterday I was having four women over to play bridge. I know, you're thinking that math is obviously not a specialty either, but we had 5 people and rotated in and out. Anyway, enough about bridge.

The entire day became rather hectic.

1) I had to mail back my cell phone (under warranty but a huge rip off situation - I hate machinery of all types, I'll tell you my computer woes later).

2) Beauty Parlor appt at 10:15. Not finished until noon (major overhaul)

3)Wanted to take Baron to newly discovered dog park which is a life saver because he can run and jump on other canines and not me.

4) Guests arrive promptly at 1:30 for bridge.

I arrived at the mail box place bright and early only to discover they don't open until 10 am. Baron and I headed to the dog park for a fun 45 minutes of running into the wind. Made it to beauty parlor on time. Mailed malfunctioning cell phone (thank heavens), and headed back to the dog park so Baron could again run around the park and not my house. My plan was that a tired dog would make a good impression. Unfortunately despite hours of $$$$$$$ dog obedience, there are a few unfortunate glitches in Baron's repertoire. While he comes very nicely at home, when he is busy with his canine friends and/or new acquaintances, he is not in the mood to listen to my pleas. It was freezing cold (something you Californians wouldn't be into) and my hand was practically frostbitten from cleaning up the hooligan's mess. Baron ran around with the puli (very cute), the vizula and an assortment of others. I called in my nicest voice. He ran straight toward me, gazed lovingly at me, and then continued on his way. This unfortunate glitch in dog obedience continued for several long frozen minutes, until my fellow dog owners took pity on me and tried to help. With the help of three people (and, I might add, no canines), we finally caught the runaway poodle. By this time I was absolutely frozen (did I mention the wind chill?) and, I must admit, rather grumpy. I was thinking of the joys of bichon ownership.

I know, you are still wondering where the range (as in cooking, not the deer and antelope part) comes in. I guess if we think of the dog park as a range, it is a double entendre. I arrived home at 1pm with only a half hour until my guests were to arrive. It occurred to me (a little late) that I didn't have the bridge stuff out (cards etc), the table set for bridge, the food out (you have to feed bridge players, though I have no idea why), and I had forgotten to eat lunch and I absolutely never miss a meal. I began to hurriedly make coffee, tea, put out food (beautifully placed on the plate Friday afternoon - not be me - I am domestically challenged), eat lunch, set the table etc. etc. etc. It is the part about the tea that brings us to our heroine's (that would be me) demise. I decided to put more water in the tea pot and by mistake the bottom of the already-warmed-up pot touched my partially frost-bitten (from the afore mentioned foray into the dog park) hand.

So dear cooks here is my big question: What do you put on a burn?

Anyway, the good news is that in my panic to get everything ready, I forgot about the burn and was able to have everything in place and pretend to be relaxed when my guests arrived. I remembered the burn this morning when I was in the shower and saw a brown mark on my hand. Word of warning: do not try to rub away a burn, it doesn't work.

Well, that's it. I guess I don't need my faithful sidekick (that would be Baron) to do myself in. Oh yes, Baron greeted my guests warmly - he barked growled, etc. Fortunately, "etc." does not include biting and snapping as his predecessor did. After 10 minutes he was comfortable with our guests. In fact he was so comfortable that he tried to get into the lap of the only non-dog-lover of the group. He did go from person to person trying to engage someone - anyone - in play. I had his leash on, and was reminded by an experienced dog-owner guest (you should see her poodle)that I should be doing an on-leash sit with Baron. I am happy to announce that it worked! I sat beautifully!!! After one hour he settled down, decided that bridge is not his game, and took a nap.

Enough about my day, I'm off to the dog park again - I hope I remember to bring Baron.

Botswain

February 22, 2009








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