A Dog's Party

Day Chomper found my arms

In the parking lot of a Home Depot I did the best shopping I have ever done in my life. It fit in one hand, soft as cashmere, smelled like a taco and wriggled like a worm. There was no doubt in the sale, once that lady put Chomper on my hand there was no way in hell I wasn't taking that smelly, soft worm pup home.

I had the fortune (or not) of not having a job that summer and really not doing much with my life in any way whatsoever, so I dedicated my time to this beautiful little pup. We would spend those sweltering summer days playing, walking and watching Netflix. He would start sleeping on my legs and end up on my chest or shoulders, trying to be as close to my heart as possible; he is now a 60 pound dog that believes I still enjoy this. My body goes numb, but I enjoy every second of it.

He’s had his humorous puppy adventures, like he would climb inside the reclining couch and scare the crap out of me when I noticed the couch was howling. One night he got into his food bin and transformed into a black beach ball that required lots of potty trips the next day, I thought I had killed you, but you probably had the best night of your life. He has also chosen to eat his good amount of REAL LEATHER shoes over, say old navy flip flops? Or dog toys.

But he has always been there, with his scary excitement to see me, encouraging kisses to force unto me and devoted looks to give me when needed.

Chomper turned a year old this month. So I decided to make him some treats and spoil his diet. He has never been too much of a food beggar, but carrots are his kryptonite, anytime he would hear me chopping them he would run to the kitchen and sit like a good boy until I obliged. And since we used Peanut Butter for toys and treats, me and him would go through a jar of it fairly quickly. I found this recipe for carrot and peanut butter dog cupcakes online, but I think it is exceptionally delicious. They turned out more like muffins because of the density, but with some cream cheese frosting the humans were more than happy to taste. I will definitely be making these again for the next night me and Chomper have of indulging and cuddling.

Carrot PB muffins

(makes about 6)

-1c  flour

-1 tsp baking soda

-1/4 c natural Peanut butter (smooth of chunky is fine)

-1/4 c vegetable oil

-1 c shredded carrot

-1 tsp vanilla

-1/3 c honey

- 1 egg

- pinch of salt

Instructions

1)      Combine flour and baking soda in large mixing bowl

2)      Add all other ingredients!

3)      Bake at 325 for about 25-30 minutes.

4)      Let cool and decorate with cream cheese frosting for humans, for dogs I would recommend a tiny bit of frosting or peanut butter to adhere a cute doggie treat. 

Chomper with his first pinata!

My Gatsby

The Great Gatsby.

Two mesmerizing eyes in a royal blue background, story that stays with you, a character that deeply touches you, memories that haunts your past.

A classic book most of us have read containing an exciting romance that ends tragically, a great American drama. When I read this book a LOT of years ago I remember finishing the last page and questioning what the hell was all the fuss about. A mentally unstable man has trouble letting go of the past; and ends up screwing up his life even further dedicating all his time, energy, and money to convince this pretty ditzy girl to love him again. In the end, I felt Gatsby got his karma right back where it was deserved; and old sport Nick got a great story from it. I moved on with my life and into other books right away.

Watching the 1974 Coppola classic movie was but a mere strike of luck between laundry being ready to fold and Netlix having it available. Again, a lovely story, a good ending, and a damn handsome actor. Let’s move on to dishes and maybe some Family Guy later. Tonight, an hour after watching the 2013 version of Baz Luhrman, I am transformed.

It was not the special effects, the selection of music, the great acting, or the glass of wine I had before.  

It was that moment. In Nick’s cottage, a dream of cascading white orchids and the constant splatter of a summer rain. That striking moment when Daisy and Gatsby lock eyes. I felt my heart skip a beat with hers, a tremble in the lips and the memories course by.

 “I am certainly glad to see you again”

These words she bravely speaks; I don’t know if my brain is smart enough to come up with or my heart foolish enough to allow. This moment of reencounter, I don’t know if destiny has it in my plans. But pretending life is actually a great novel, and mine were to be a tragedy, I only ask for there to be orchids please.

Gatsby with his lies, Gatsby with his secret past, Gatsby with his childhood, Gatsby with his extravagance, Gatsby with his passion, Gatsby with his love. I tried to refuse my theories and see past it, see nothing but Leonardo DiCaptio playing the role of a sick millionaire; but those flashes would reappear: nights, wine, screaming, and pleading; feeling perfectly safe and completely lost at the same time.

“You can’t repeat the past”

I had to smile and exit the theatre with the other people, wondering if we had all felt the same. If nights were reminiscent and words reinvaded in our brains. Maybe I understand Daisy better now, when she smiled and agreed on returning to the past? or when she hung up the phone and left forever? I am not sure. All I know right now is that if it happens, let there be white orchids.