T'eo

This is Theo. We spend our days together at the office. I guess you could call us colleagues. But we're becoming friends. He's younger than I am and always itching to horse around. He's got good technique for a pup. He goes for the legs forcefully but never maliciously. And when he chews on my year, it's gentle. Like a massage. But wetter.

The other day, Dan dropped the ball big time with Theo's mom, Gina. I've been doing what I can to make it right by giving Theo a bit more leeway than usual. Today, I let him eat my breakfast. Then Gina gave me some of his food. That was nice of her.

Looks like Round 59 is about to begin. Back in a bit.

This is what winning looks like

Dan and I have been playing the same game for years: he puts out my food, I don't eat it, he eventually tosses some cheese in the bowl.

Sometimes it gets hard to hold out, especially after a long walk. I've come with a strategy to get me through the hunger pangs: naming off my favourite cheeses in alphabetical order. I've never had to make it all the way to Zwitser, but I'm fairly confident I can do it.

End scene.

My Chefs for the Day

Yurkenbaum Summer Fun went yesterday. It's the first of three annual parties Dan and Tiia throw. This is the one where different people take control of the barbecue and I chill out by the grill.

Patrick kicked it off with cheese quesadillas and chicken shish kabob. He said the quesadillas were for the kiddies but I know they were for me as a subtle hosting gift. Well played, sir.

After Pat came Brennan and his organic cheeseburgers. Brennan was Cairo's dad. I got to be Cairo's wingman at a few parties in his backyard. Back in 2012, Cairo taught me the wink move where you wink at a person just before they give you a bite so they're more inclined to give you a second. Brilliant.

Vanessa went third with a rack of tangy short-ribs. I was disappointed at first because of its cheeselessness, but I got over that quickly. It was probably the tastiest plate of the day. I think it needs a name, though.  I'm throwing Scarlet Shorties out there. Vanessa?

Dean took control next. Dean's a legit grill master, and proved it with South African Boerewors sausage. I actually got the very first taste of the day as Dan (predictably) sent a piece flying off the plate as he was cutting it. 

But Dan redeemed himself later in the night with a second round of burgers and dogs, and then a midnight rack of ribs which seemed like a good idea at the time. And it was. At the time.

All in all, another successful garden party. Thanks to everyone who came out, and a special thanks to everyone who shared the love. You know who you are.

Maui in the Lions Den

There's a lot of Detroit Lions gear in my house. Like, a lot. There's even a little Lions pin on my walking bag. Our team colour is Honolulu Blue. Dan says that's just coincidence, but I know it's not. When you say "Maui" every day of your life, it influences your other decisions.

Dan wasn't a Lions fan when I met him. He liked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The way he tells it, when he started liking football, he picked the worst team he could find as his own and count on the law of averages to eventually deliver him a Superbowl. It took 16 years, but it happened! And then it was time for a new broken-down bandwagon to join. Enter the Detroit Lions.

And Dan picked just the right time to jump aboard. Little did he know that the team was about to have the worst season in the history of the league. I remember him watching the games that season. You'd think it would have made him angry, but it didn't. He'd just smile. "The law of averages," he'd say to me. "You'll see."

That was seven years ago. Nine more to go. Maybe dogs will be allowed to go to games by then? Ahem.

It’s never too late to start again

I started blogging a while ago for fun. Then life got hectic and I stopped. That was silly of me because while I was doing other things, bloggers all over the world have started making some serious cheese doing it.

I want to make some cheese. Well, to be more specific, I want to make some money for Dan so he can buy me cheese.

I think what I need is a starting goal. And here it is:

Dan wants to go to London on November 1st to see his Detroit Lions play in Wembley Stadium. It’s also his birthday weekend. I’d love to get him there.

That’d certainly be worth a block of Gruyere. And maybe a costume like this guy?