Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Hot Dogs and Pupsicles

Conversation between father and son while driving home.

“Hey Dad, what smells good? It’s making me hungry!”
“You don’t want to know.”

The problem was that we were not driving by a restaurant. We were driving by the local veterinarian. I had noticed this before, lots of smoke coming out of a large smokestack on the property, and the smell of BBQ. No, it is not a Vietnamese vet.

I don’t know if I could bring myself to take my dog to a place that disposes of the not so lucky patients.

Then there is this alternative.

Back in the early 90’s I worked for Domino’s Pizza. One of the restaurants that I worked at was in a strip mall, right next to a veterinarian. This guy didn’t incinerate the unlucky ones; he froze them. I guess he had a freezer that he kept the corpses in until a truck came to pick them up. There were many nights that we watched the heartless “pick up” guy toss frozen dogs and cats from inside the building into the back of his van. It was a long toss too, maybe 15 to 20 feet. Sometimes a leg would break off, but it was frozen solid so it wasn’t too gross, just sad. We made lots of gross jokes, but I think we all thought deep down inside, those pets deserved better.

So on the topic of pets let me introduce you to the new member of my house. His name is Ernie. He is a 13-week-old Labrador retriever. Sherri had a Lab when she was a teenager and always wanted another one. We also think the kids should get the opportunity to have a puppy when they are young, so Christmas morning we sprung Ernie on the kids. It was quite the feat hiding the little guy all day Christmas Eve Day.






15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just wanna SQUEEZE HIS CHEEKS!!!

Anonymous said...

Nah, he's more than capable of doing that on his own. That's what the shower is for, right? Incidentally, we have separate showers so it's not like I'll be standing "on extra traction." ;-)

Guinevere said...

What a cutie-patootie!!!!

And, no, we didn't serve venison at the food booth...we sold hot dogs...

snicker snicker

;o)

Hyperher said...

God, I almost cried reading your post. But the image of the pup erased it. Charles Schulz was right. Happiness is a warm puppy.

Elizabeth said...

He's gorgeous!! Makes me want another puppy. :)

Malathionman said...

Kristi- You're no fun. :)

G- The pork kind I hope.

Hyperher- Charles Schultz's daughter-in-law used to teach Sarah tennis.

Elizabeth- You have the Malathionman stamp of approval on that one.

Anonymous said...

A-Dor-Able!

And at that age they are prolific poop machines! He looks just like Marley of "Marley and Me." Did you read that book? That guy was nuts for all he dealt with!

No, I didn't copy you. :)
It must be a dog of a week... I just finished watching that new dog show on "Nat Geo" called, "Dogtown." (I actually have the movie, "Dogtown" but it's about skaters/surfers.) It was sad but uplifting and I always wonder how people can work with abused/sick/"special" animals. God bless 'em.

Happy Tails to you and Ernie!
:)

Hyperher said...

Wow. It's like 6 degrees of separation on Wear Gloves and Protective Eyewear!

Big Dog Mom Pam said...

I got a lab puppy for Christmas two years ago. Best gift I ever got. Your baby dog is adorable! You're in for a few fun months. They start to settle down when they are two years old. Or so I've been told . . . .

Anonymous said...

For both our sakes I hope he returns to the "Jumbo Joe" status we know and love - fast! It's been a huge bummer to pay so much cash to go watch them lose at home over and over again. Worth it, but a bummer.

Btw, cute pup!

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Patty O said...

Haha, nice. He looks like a good dog.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

May his legs stay attached for a very long time...

Seriously, he looks like a terrific dog!

Siobhan said...

Wow, that was horrific to read, then you spring Ernie on us! Such a cutie!

Chris said...

Only a guy named after an insecticide could spin a yarn like this. Glad you ended it on a high note. Like Ernie's name, too.