My poodle is a constant source of amusement. I figure she doesn’t do any work around the house, but I do have the option of clapping my hands together briskly and saying “Amuse me!” with good results.
Take tonight. I was looking forward to sliding between my favorite, amber-colored, silky sheets to continue reading The Ten Year Nap (review coming soon!). But when I fluffed my pillows in anticipation of leaning against them for support, I found a muddied package of cheese crackers hidden underneath. The poodle dog had apparently buried the crackers, then raised them to be placed under my pillow as what? A bedtime snack for the mommy master? A new burial ground? Amusing, yet also maddening, as I had just changed the sheets.
Last week she was having a conniption in my office and I went in to chastise her. Then I saw the reason she was barking to wake the dead: a well-fed squirrel was tormenting her from the outside. He was spread-eagle on the screen outside, just staring at her with those beady eyes. I believe the squirrel’s steady gaze said, in essence: “Bite me.”
Of course, there are those not so amusing times.
Just yesterday I saw her coughing like an asthmatic grandfather out back and when I inspected the contents, found something unusual. Have you ever heard of a dog coughing up a hairball? Well, my dog did. She’d just been groomed and had apparently licked off so much excess hair it formed a giant choking ball (actually it was sort of oblong) in her gut. Beautiful.
The truth is, I’m very attached to this dog.
My husband often takes one look at me and Bij and rolls his eyes. “You and that dog…” he intones, trailing off, leaving unsaid, “You are embarrassingly devoted.” I have to admit we like each other very much. I think it’s best explained by noting that I was never allowed to have pets in the house growing up. I did sneak a few kittens into my bedroom (there’s photographic proof in one case as my cat, Peaches, is seen wearing a tiny embroidered doll hat).
So until now I’d never had a dog to hold court at the foot of my bed or patiently wait outside the bathroom door while I showered or beg me with her big, brown eyes to let her out to potty already!
I know I’m not the only pet lover in Northwest Arkansas. In fact, there’s a new magazine in town devoted entirely to our furry friends called ArkanPaws. The tagline for the magazine is cute: For Pets and their People.
Anyway, I stumbled upon their premier issue yesterday at The Fringe Benefit when I stopped in for an eyebrow wax.
I promptly called the publisher and president of the magazine, Leslie Ray, and chatted with her about our mutual affection for dogs. Leslie also owns Angel Pet Sitters (they come out to your house to take care of the fur babies while you’re at work or away) and is also the co-founder of the nonprofit For Pets’ Sake, which is featured in the magazine. For Pets’ Sake has a program called “Best Friends” that offers assistance to senior citizens who may need extra money to help take care of their beloved pets. The organization also provides discount micro-chip clinics for the public and, among other things, educates elementary children on animal safety and welfare.
Leslie, the mother of three children and three dogs, said she wants the magazine itself to be educational and entertaining as well as offer an outlet to the pet industry. A former graphic designer, Leslie plans to use cover art by local artists and photographers.
If you’re looking for the small magazine around town, you’ll know it’s the spring issue of ArkanPaws by the painted assortment of cute cats and dashing dogs on the cover, the work of nationally-known pet artist Linda Picken of Bentonville.
Note to cat and dog owners: For Pets’ Sake is sponsoring a discount micro-chip clinic tomorrow (Saturday, April 26), from 9 a.m. to noon at the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market.
