The Big Snip

Tomorrow Shmoo officially becomes "ours." I'm taking him to the Vet at 8:30 to get the "big snip" and to have his microchip implanted. Today, I went out to buy a few things at a pet store and decided that even though he had a collar, he needed a new one to celebrate his new life. So, he is now the proud owner of a fire engine red nylon collar. It has a place to put his name and our phone number (still need to get a permanent tag made) and I have filled that in.

Maggie still looks at him like he's an idiot. She does not understand his obsession with toys. However, she DOES understand his obsession with food and makes sure that she is present and accounted for whenever there is any treat-giving going on. I've had to cut down on her food rations to compensate so she doesn't become a roly-poly! Svelte is in, even for dogs.

I get the feeling that people in the village like the fact that we not only took the Shmoo in, but that we are keeping him. I'm getting lots of pleased smiles when we're out. But as I say to them, I don't feel we had a choice. He chose us, not the other way around.

Tonight the canines need to have an early dinner and no treats after 7 pm. Of course, Maggie COULD have treats, but I don't think that's fair, so no one gets an evening snack.

Life can be so unfair.

Ciao for now.

Randy

Our Capon

Capon is the traditional Christmas meal here for many people. I ordered one from our friends at the butcher shop. It was all ready and waiting for me yesterday, nicely wrapped in paper with my name on it.

The butcher and family took off for their Christmas holiday after closing last night.

I went to take it out to get it seasoned so it could rest for a few hours before cooking it tonight. Imagine my shock and horror when I unwrapped it to discover it had it's head, feet and disgusting bits all still attached!!! I had just assumed they would get rid of those bits, but I guess a lot of people here like to "do it themselves." I admit it, I've always been a city girl and never saw a store bought chicken that came looking like it had just gotten off the bus before!

I contemplated NOT making capon tonight, but didn't have anything else particularly festive that would be ready in time. So I got out my Chinese cleaver and started hacking away. Got the head and feet off, but I was pretty stumped about the "inside bits." Luckily a friend of ours is a chef at a nearby Chateau, and I was able to call him for some pointers.

I told JM he'd better damn well like his dinner tonight!

And, for anyone following the sage of Shmoo the dog (he doesn't like Shmooey, preferring the plain-old Shmoo), he has his new home. It probably won't surprise many of you that the home is right here with us. When JM and I started coming up with excuses as to why various potention adopters were not "quite right," we realized the painful truth: we were in love.

Love is like that sometimes; it just creeps up on you when you're least expecting it.

So, may all of you find that love in your lives, and in the meantime: Merry Christmas to all!

Ciao and Ho, Ho, HO!!!

Randy