Monday, November 26, 2012

The Doggie Spa - The Beginning - Chapter 1

In the beginning...........there was........
9/3/2010
The Grandpa Bailey’s Spoiled Dog and Canasta Club.  The resort has continued to be rather busy. Mostly short stays. The fall is shaping up to be rather busy as well. I have the pugs for 4 days while Debby (known as #2) attends the Cranberry Festival someplace. All these years I thought she hated Cranberries. Surprise!  Oh, just so you know, she is not second best or anything like that. She was fortunate to have been our second child to be born thus the #2 tag.
Had to replace the canasta deck. The boys, Barney & Max, got on a tear the other evening.  I think it started when Barney snookered Max in there two paw game. Not certain what they were playing, probably “War”.  Well, Max took his frustration out on the deck of cards. He chewed them and flung them all over the family room. Had to give him a time out in doggie jail (the crate). Gave him some community service time as a condition for getting out.

9/4/2010
Boy that French roast is good this morning.  Action has been hot and heavy here at Grandpa Bailey’s Spoiled Dog & Canasta Club. Recently, we were able to organize a canasta league. Can you believe it? It was really an undertaking. It is called “Etavirp”.  For those of you that are unfamiliar with “Etavirp”  it is the word “Private” spelled backwards. Clever, huh? We have 4 tables with 4 players each. They rotate and earn prizes for the best AND worst players. Prizes can’t be more than $3.29 in value. This is high stakes canasta.  Remember me mentioning just how we are struggling for entertainment in the Midwest.
The Club is also busy booking puppy stays for the Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. We have the usual evening stays booked – usually the pugs. My “Peeps” are working on some bigger deals. The Lab – Kinnick may actually be with us for an extended stay. Still in negotiations. Seems as though someone in Lacrosse Wisconsin thought it would be a great idea to have a Cranberry Festival. Whaaa! Heard about everything now. Daughter, oops forgot her number, Debby seems to be excited about a 4 day romp through cranberry bogs. Did I mention how boring it is here in Iowa? Yes, Barney and Max, the pugs have booked with us for those 4 days. Oh boy, I hope they remember their sleeping assignments.
I made a command decision a while back and have added limo service to the club. Cost is relatively inexpensive. Kinnick has me booked for this evening. He usually needs me a couple of times a week.  He has also requested an evening with us. It has been a while. Should be a hoot.

9/8/10
The Etavirp canasta league at Grandpa Bailey's Spoiled Dog and Canasta Club is into their third week. All has been going pretty good. All of the ladies seem to have a good time. The average age of our all female league is around 77 I think. Last Thursday we had a small incident. Two of the ladies got into a squabble over who had the lowest score and who had earned the lowest score prize. They were separated by cooler heads just as one raised her cane in the air. Whew! As commissioner and organizer I made the command decision to aware duplicate prizes to calm things down. They both received a coupon for free chicken tenders from Chik Filet. They were delighted.

Other than the stress over the canasta club fiasco, our dog sitting and limo service has been rather quiet. Kinnick did need a ride on Friday. He was glad to see me when I picked him up at the doggie day care. Or maybe he was just glad to get out of there! This was a combo event in that he came to my house for an evening sitting engagement. Got along fabulously. He did his duty in the backyard with gusto, barked in every direction to let the neighborhood dogs know he was on site. Then came in and collapsed in an exhausted heap. His mother did pick him up later and he was glad to be out of here. Life is good!

Negotiations are still ongoing regarding his extended stay. My peeps tell me that we are down to the details now. There seems to be agreement in concept. Various details still have to be worked out like defining the walking regime - when, how often, length, with backpack or not, morning or evening yadda yadda. I will let the peeps work all of that out. I'm just too busy.

9/14/2010
Had a close encounter of an unusual kind Sunday night.  As is the custom during “Big Brother” season on TV, my current wife and I had supper at daughter #1’s house. Kinnick the yellow lab was there of course. Daughter #2 also showed up with the pugs – Barney and Max. Felt sorry for Barney. Poor guy had a little bug bite on his eye lid.  Didn’t seem to bother him. We all have our favorite seats to watch the TV. Mine is on the end of the couch with the recliner option in use.
Every dog in a two mile radius jumped on my lap and proceeded to lick my face until it was sore. Well maybe it was only the lab and pugs. Sure felt like a larger pack.  They licked noses, ears, eyes, eye glasses, hair, neck everywhere. Yuk! I think Barney did get some ear was out of my left ear. Good job Barney! Took a hot steamy shower as soon as I got home. It took me 2 days to get all of the dog licks off of my glasses.  Haven’t figured out why it is just me that they attack.  Must be my “sweet” personality! Don’t laugh. You got a better answer?
Kinnick has booked Saturday through Friday with us. Yeah! The pugs have booked 4 days next week also – it is the aforementioned  “Cranberry Festival” weekend.  Will need to get busy and clean the club for the visitors. Those canasta club ladies leave a mess every time they play.  We need to talk.
Well, the second cup of French roast is history and my caffeine boost is kicking in. Until the next time remember, Life Seen Through Dog-Licked Glasses is not for the feint of heart.

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