My mom's 60th birthday is coming up, and what party would be complete without a series of awkward skits to complete the evening. Well, my family really enjoys a little number, and since singing is out of the question (I sang my last song in 1996...it was "Dust in the Wind" and I am pretty sure it blew) I decided to create a trivia game based on all the animals that have been a part of my mom's life the past sixty years. It is impossible to include each one, my mom has had countless Toby's, but I gave it my best. Most of you don't know the animals mentioned, or my mom for that matter, but I think it speaks to her enormous heart and incredible passion. The performance is Sunday, so cross your fingers for me. I hope you enjoy it.
Cari Rodman’s Animal Trivia Pursuit
A tribute from the many animals whose lives you have impacted (and from Lisa, David and Dad)
1. In a galaxy far far away our adventure took flight.
We were destined to be together forever,
Our love was out of sight.
Answer: Luke and Leia (Cocktails)
2. I believe in the principal of plural marriage.
I dish out tough love, and I am not afraid to get physical.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and if you are nice, I might regurgitate some up for you.
Answer: Chico (Parrot)
3. “Unfortunately he’s dead”
At least that’s what she said.
You taught my parents a big lesson,
But poor Steve sure was stressin’.
Answer: Stolen Turtle
4. I was meant for another,
But our connection was like no other.
You bent the truth so that we could be together in flight,
I also slept on your head which was really a sight!
Answer: Missy II (mixed breed rescue)
5. When it comes to “true to breed” that is not me.
You are my best friend and I always have your back,
Just remember that you are on your own if there is opportunity for a snack.
Answer: Taylor (Aussie rescue)
6. You were my princess but I scarcely showed affection,
Lucky for me you didn’t take it as rejection.
My gorgeous hair and long legs made me sophisticated and regal,
Too bad for me, I was dumb as a seagull.
Answer: Alfie (Afghan rescue)
7. As the seasons changed my love for another grew stronger,
Finally one day I couldn't’t hold back any longer.
A report wasn’t filed,
But poor Steve was defiled.
Answer: Autumn the Bunny
8. While the legends of your swimming did not exceed our yard,
To me you were on spectacular life guard.
You saved me from drowning more than twice,
I lived to be 22 because you were so nice.
Answer: Ivy (Shitszu rescue)
9. I ate through luggage and I ate through grates,
I ate for fun and I ate to escape.
Although I was sneaky I was lovely as a flower,
One look at me and you lost all of your power.
Answer: Daisy (Mutt rescue)
10. I was sickly and frail, my old owners thought I was a dud,
You saw past the missing teeth and treated me like a stud.
You carried me around and kept current on my massive medical chart,
You saw more than anyone ever had, and I saw straight to your heart.
Answer: BJ (Yorkie rescue)
11. We celebrated a Bat Mitzvah with a new arrival,
I knew my long search was over, there could be no other rival.
I proved smarter than most, jumping on counters and opening the door,
When I was in the picture life was never a bore.
Answer: Chelsey (Lab rescue)
With great love and affection,
Tony, Boots, Taylor, Ivy, Sunny, Simon, Chico, Gordo, Missy, Missy II, Luke, Leia, Madison, Toby, Winston, BJ, Chelsey, Alfie, Buttons, Maxi, Autumn, Daisy, Abby, Puff, Peppy, Sascha, Shayna and Paco.
And the list goes on and on and on…
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
Just when you think things are running smoothly, that there is a break in the madness, you realize that you spoke just a little too soon. Our brief glimpse at serenity was just that, brief, it was the calm before the storm. I took a momentary break from my weekly veterinary visits to focus on a new job opportunity. I suppose the vet must have wondered where we had run off to, but I have to admit that I was enjoying our hiatus. My wallet was heavier, my dog was healthier, and all appeared to be perfect in our happy little household.
The recent ease of our lives had given me temporary, blissful, amnesia. All of our previous woes slipped away as I started to plan our carefree, vet free existence. Pleased beyond words, Toby and I trotted out the door, practically singing as we left for our evening walk. Even cleaning up the poop (normally an arduous and sickening chore) did not phase me that evening. In fact, when Toby did his standard bathroom dance I politely turned my back, gave him a moment of privacy, and happily whipped out a plastic bag. A moment later I bent down, gave Toby a little nod, and prepared for a swift pick-up. I thought I caught a funny look from Toby as I leaned over to scoop his business, it was fleeting, but there was a distinct expression of worry that flashed across Toby’s face. So as not to nauseate you with the gory details, let me leave it at this…Toby had worms, and Toby knew it. Toby felt shamed, and I felt ill. We were not going to combat this with our bad attitudes, but I must admit it was a sight like no other I had ever experienced.
An emergency call to the vet taught me that worms are highly common and easily treatable. In fact my vet was quite calm and did his best to answer my endless questions with patience. The questions ranged from relatively straight forward (is he contagious?) to those of a more complex nature (Do I have worms too? Are they in my apartment? Do I need to call an exterminator?). Hundreds of frantic inquiries later, Dr. Harner assured me that both Toby and I would be fine and that two simple rounds of a de-wormer would do the trick. Slightly calmer (but still nauseous) I took out my Toby Binder and added “worms” to our ever growing list of medical mishaps.
The recent ease of our lives had given me temporary, blissful, amnesia. All of our previous woes slipped away as I started to plan our carefree, vet free existence. Pleased beyond words, Toby and I trotted out the door, practically singing as we left for our evening walk. Even cleaning up the poop (normally an arduous and sickening chore) did not phase me that evening. In fact, when Toby did his standard bathroom dance I politely turned my back, gave him a moment of privacy, and happily whipped out a plastic bag. A moment later I bent down, gave Toby a little nod, and prepared for a swift pick-up. I thought I caught a funny look from Toby as I leaned over to scoop his business, it was fleeting, but there was a distinct expression of worry that flashed across Toby’s face. So as not to nauseate you with the gory details, let me leave it at this…Toby had worms, and Toby knew it. Toby felt shamed, and I felt ill. We were not going to combat this with our bad attitudes, but I must admit it was a sight like no other I had ever experienced.
An emergency call to the vet taught me that worms are highly common and easily treatable. In fact my vet was quite calm and did his best to answer my endless questions with patience. The questions ranged from relatively straight forward (is he contagious?) to those of a more complex nature (Do I have worms too? Are they in my apartment? Do I need to call an exterminator?). Hundreds of frantic inquiries later, Dr. Harner assured me that both Toby and I would be fine and that two simple rounds of a de-wormer would do the trick. Slightly calmer (but still nauseous) I took out my Toby Binder and added “worms” to our ever growing list of medical mishaps.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Hotel Rodman
I have said before that Toby is a sensitive dog, and while it would make sense that perhaps I passed that less than flattering trait on to him, I believe that Toby’s personality is more a function of environment and past experience. On my recent business trip to New York Toby was forced to leave the nest, reluctantly spreading his wings and facing the massive world before him. Since long term boarding would be a major fiasco, I decided that Toby would benefit from staying at the ultimate dog spa and hotel…my mom’s home. My dad was reluctant, my mom sent Toby an email saying that grandma was ready and waiting.
Of course I received Toby updates from my mom, but also a few from my dad which I found surprising. While he continuously called Toby a “she”, there was a moderate amount of enthusiasm in his report that struck me as odd. Was it possible that my dad was starting to like Toby? I was confused, but as my trip went on so did the positive feedback. It started small, “she is doing pretty good”, and progressed into “your little dog is kind of cute”, and then shockingly “Toby greeted me at the door and then chased after me so I could play with him”…was that affection I was hearing in his voice?? Well not only had Toby miraculously turned back into a male, but if I was a gambler I would bet that my dad was starting to like her, HIM! I was stunned! If Toby could actually win over my dad maybe he could win over more people. Maybe, just maybe, my serial monogamist was ready to explore the possibilities of life with more than one love…oh the possibilities!
Of course I received Toby updates from my mom, but also a few from my dad which I found surprising. While he continuously called Toby a “she”, there was a moderate amount of enthusiasm in his report that struck me as odd. Was it possible that my dad was starting to like Toby? I was confused, but as my trip went on so did the positive feedback. It started small, “she is doing pretty good”, and progressed into “your little dog is kind of cute”, and then shockingly “Toby greeted me at the door and then chased after me so I could play with him”…was that affection I was hearing in his voice?? Well not only had Toby miraculously turned back into a male, but if I was a gambler I would bet that my dad was starting to like her, HIM! I was stunned! If Toby could actually win over my dad maybe he could win over more people. Maybe, just maybe, my serial monogamist was ready to explore the possibilities of life with more than one love…oh the possibilities!
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