Black dogs, bones and the Polish deli

Earlier this week, Babushka came over to spend the day with our family. She's (please don't snigger when you hear this) a Cockapoo! Yes, you heard it right. Can't say I'd like to be in her paws. Now, telling people you're a Golden Retriever, or even a Golden Retriever/Irish Setter mix, has some pizazz to it. It sounds dignified, solid, let's people know what your skills and interests are. But tell someone you're a Cockapoo and what does that tell them about you? I've overheard some talking and it seems it's something to do with being part of a Cocker Spaniel and part of a Poodle. Spoodle would have made more sense to me, but there you go, that's humans for you.

Anyway, in spite of the label, Babushka is a top notch dog, smart and cute with black curls and floppy ears. It made me spin around in circles and jump all over everyone when she arrived on Wednesday morning. She came from the Humane Society too, so we understand each other. It's been a bit rough for her recently. Her people got divorced and decided it was time for her to have a new home. Luckily, some really good people found her at the Humane Society - my mum and dad's friends, Rob and Chizuko. Rob used to have a dog called Wolf, who was one of the smartest dogs anyone has ever known. I didn't know her for long myself, but people still talk about her, and my mum has a picture of her in our house. She died quite a while ago, so Rob and Chizuko have been missing having a dog around. Quite frankly, I don't know how they've managed all this time. No one to take on walks or snuggle up with them in bed at night. Doesn't bear thinking about! Lucky for them, Babushka's a real snuggle bunny, and can wag her whole body nearly as much as I can. She's only 2, so I've been teaching her a few things and she's been catching on really fast. Almost too fast, I would say. I showed her my marrow bone, thinking it would be much too big for her little mouth, but I'd only turned my back for a moment and sure enough, she'd carted it off somewhere and buried it. No matter, I'll soon sniff it out. There's not much gets past my nose!

Another visitor this week was a black lab called Molly. No one invited her over, but she arrived at the gate one evening after dark. I dutifully guarded my territory with some ferocious barking that should have scared a dog twice her size, but being Molly, she just stuck her face through the gate and kept on wagging her tail until my mum came out and let her in. Now, I knew it was Molly and that she lives just around the corner, but Mum didn't recognize her and because she wasn't wearing a tag with her phone number on it, the police had to come and take her off to the Humane Society so her people would know where to find her. While we were waiting, Mum asked her what her name was. Of course, Molly was saying it loud and clear, but Mum couldn't get it, and went through a whole list of names before she got the picture Molly was sending her. Then Dad remembered who Molly's mum was, and where she lived. My mum quickly went over there to tell Molly's people what had happened, but no one was home, and the yard gate was open, so Molly still had to go for the ride in the police cruiser. I prefer Officer Rob's truck myself. Mum doesn't like it when I go for a ride in the animal police truck, as it means I've been "a naughty girl" and gone exploring the neighborhood on my own, which Mum says is dangerous. I usually get to ride up front where I can see everything, and they give me a treat to make sure I'll jump in. I would anyway, but it's best not to take any chances when a treat is being offered.

Speaking of treats. Today we went to my all-time favorite place in Sedona. The Euro Deli! Those people really know how to treat a dog. In fact it's more like a whole dinner. They have a place outside where dogs can wait, and there's always a full bowl of fresh water waiting. I sit there on my best behavior while Mum is inside, trying to catch the eye of the lady with blonde hair. I can tell when she's spotted me because everyone in there starts talking about dogs and what a "good girl" I am, and I can see the lady going behind the counter for MY TREATS! It's nothing like one of those dry biscuits you get at the bank drive-through. This is a whole plate of the tastiest meats and my mouth starts watering before she's even part way through the door. I have to scoff it all down at record speed, in case there are any other dogs watching and getting ideas that it's for them instead. I can taste it even now. Just writing about it is making my mouth water all over again. I'm going to be dreaming about that Euro Deli tonight. In fact, I think I'll get a head start right now.