The Dackel Princess

Yesterday Hubby and I drove to the big city to look at a few things. We wanted to check out scanners, as ours is about 12 years old, and we also wanted to stop a Home Show. Since Greta is at the peak of her heat we decided to take Arnie-man along with us. You know Greta is so horny willing we were afraid to leave him lest she open his crate and throw him down on the floor and have her way with him.

So, about 10 o’clock we got Arnie ready with his traveling harness, leash and sweater and off we went leaving poor Fritz to manage the girls!

We decided to go to places in order of where we got off the highway. Our first stop was my favorite outlet store, LL Bean. They are in the middle of remodeling the store so they had many really good items on sale. I got two bath-sheet towels (really big beach size towels) in a delightful pattern for $7.99 each. I got a deep blue fleece throw blanket for the family room for $6.99, and the best buy was a fleece lined navy blue three season jacket, for me at $14.99!! Plus I had a ten dollar coupon so it was all quite inexpensive!

Then we took Arnie into a pet store at the same mall. They encourage you to bring in your pet. On theory this is a good idea, but on a Saturday when everyone is off of work and goes shopping with their dog, not so much. Poor Arnie actually did well until he saw a 125 pound (baby) bull mastiff! He just barked and barked and barked! We finally picked out a nice bone for him and a toy and then Hubby took him out to water a tree or two while I paid for our purchases.

Next we went to the Home Show. I was walking around and I spoke to a woman who is interested in buying a puppy this summer from me. She wanted to see Arnie but couldn’t leave her vender’s stall. So I went and got Arnie out of the car and brought him in. I have said this before about my little man, he is the Frank Sinatra of dogs, just one totally cool dude! He had people from all over the show coming over to say hello and ask about him.

Next we stopped for lunch at a Chinese buffet. I find this an easy place to go and stay on my diet because the selection always includes a lot of vegetables. I did, however, sneak out a little chicken teriyaki and a fortune cookie for my boy who was waiting so patiently in the car.

We had two more stops after lunch before heading home. Upon arriving we found three dogs who were quite jealous of Arnie, and in turn Arnie, who seemed to delight in the fact that he had been the “chosen” one!

Today Hubby is off skiing this morning, and this afternoon Greta’s lover arrives for the first of heir two dates. Seems my little girl couldn’t wait until April Fools Day. She hardly let me sleep last night as she made is quite clear that SHE WANTS BERNIE – NOW!!!

Ah, yes. I remember the last time, Sex and the single dachshund. I hope this breeding is as good as the last!

I went to Boston today to see my Eye Doctor. She is a specialist in the field. People refer to her as the doctor of last resort, as she is one of those gifted people who solves the difficult cases. And as you all know my eyes have been a constant worry for many years, and even now I worry about them.

I guess I have every reason to. Although I have good vision now, I have a few things that will need to be monitored over the years, lest I be faced with further problems.

I’ve always thought that life was simple, but these days I am starting to see the fact that nothing is ever really easy and I’m just going to have to accept that, and take care.

************

Meanwhile, during the time I waited for my eyes to dilate, and my appointment for the doctor to come, I had a chance to participate in my favorite pastime. People-Watching.

There was the handsome father, neatly dressed, sitting with his arm around his ten year old daughter. While she read her book of ghost stories to him, he closed his eyes and looked peacefully, about to fall asleep.

It made me think of my cousin Janet, who always read those “Ghost Stories” while I was reading “Fairy Tales”.

There was the woman, who was probably my sister’s age, there with her mother. The daughter was trying to get her mother’s paper work filled out, and the mother was more interested in trying to find the chicklets at the bottom of her cavernous purse. I watched them for a long time, amazed with her patience. The daughter’s, not the mother’s.

Then there was the older Asian man. He sat there alone doing nothing at all. Suddenly his cell phone rang and he started speaking in fast Chinese (?) and then suddenly his name was called and he hung up the cell phone,and walked to the technician. She asked if he needed a translator. He stood there looking at her. I wanted to shout at her…”Ah yeah, I think that’s a big yes!”. But I sat quietly, and she finally figured it out.

There were several other people, family members, who like Hubby, had driven or come with their loved ones.

************

At the end of the day I was so thankful for Hubby. Not only did he do all the driving for me, but he went out and got me a lovely salad for my lunch, while I waited to see the doctor. He also brought me coffee, and then drove me home after the appointment.

It was a long day made entirely bearable by Hubby. That and the pronouncement that I have 20/20 vision. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that things will stay the same and that my eyes will last a lifetime.