I am writing this with “I’m in the doghouse look on my face.” I will share with you what happened and do some explaining.

I knew things were heating up in the kitchen when Dad started on Thursday working with lots of pots and pans – you know we have a lot of those sorts of things around our house. The aroma was so wonderful and I sat patiently waiting for the occasional treat. This continued onto Friday and I knew something was up as Mom was also involved.

Saturday morning rolled around and I knew I needed to lay low as the table was set with fancy stuff and I heard that all of the hoopla was about a dinner party.

Oh no, were the parentals going to ship me out for the night? It would be a bummer if I could not patrol for the morsels, which might be accidentally dropped by the guest and filling up my perpetual hunger.

I “assisted” in the kitchen while Dad did his thing cooking and tasting.  He was cool even letting me have a treat here and there with not much training – I was in heaven!

Mom went to the Farmers Market at Virginia Park as usual but this time she came back with a GIANT box of large, organic strawberries.

Even I know you should eat organic strawberries as nonorganic strawberries have thin skins and are full of pesticides. For sure that is one fruit that is very important to eat organically.

OK, so the next thing that happened was apparently the start of a slippery slope of trouble.  Mom went to a business meeting, which just left Dad and I to our own devices.

Of course I was a barking storm because the neighbors just got a new dog and it was in my driveway.  So I am going to blame that dog Henry for my behavior.  Anyhow I was in a rage barking and Dad was trying to cook.  The guests were coming and it was crazy with the new canine in my territory.

I finally calmed down and was watching Dad wash 24 of the most beautiful strawberries.  They are my favorite and I usually get the stems but these huge berries grabbed my attention.  Dad was meticulously making them perfect because Mom was going to dip them in dark chocolate for the guests.  I heard her say they are high in phytochemicals whatever those are.  Of course Henry was back outside and I was not pleased, Dad went to the back of the house to get something and yep you guessed it:  I ate all 24 organic strawberries in a quick moment.  All the while Dad was praising me because I was no longer barking. “Good boy, Perry for not barking.” Little did he know I was chowing down…

When I saw his face I realized I better give myself a time out and headed for my crate.   When Mom got home I heard the Dad say, “You need to deal with your dog.”  I was in trouble and thought for sure I was not going to be part of the party.

I lucked out because I got to experience my first dinner party with people.

Of course the parentals had me on the “short leash” but I was still trying to be good.  Everyone loved me and said how beautiful and wonderful I was.  I tried to avoid Dad because if I was on his side of the table he would make me lie down.  Nonetheless, I was glad I had not been banished to my crate.

Finally, I just couldn’t contain myself when they brought out the cheese.  You know I have a little bit of a drooling problem. Well as everyone was talking about the cheeses I planted my drooling head right down on the table.  Apparently I looked like, The Walking Dead, a zombie of sorts and this made Dad shout crate.  I knew I had pushed my limits.

Fortunately I have forgiving parents and they let me out to say goodbye to our dinner guests.  I even put my paw out to shake when they left without anyone asking.

I did feel a little bad for my unruly behavior.  As Mom and Dad were washing up I thought I would pay Dad back for embarrassing me.  Gosh parents just seem to not realize that their actions can cause us kids to be embarrassed…so I completely dismantled the chair by moving the cushions around, laid down and said my peace.

Lots of love and healthy eats to you all!