Saturday, July 27, 2013

A Tail of Two Rescues: Part 3

Part 3:  That Romantic First Date
It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was getting ready for my first date with the wonderful and studly Turbo.  Of course, it wasn’t as perfect as I planned. Mommadog insisted that Turbo meet me at home and not at the bar.  (She wanted to check him out.)  Turbo was (naturally) very nice about it and said he’d love to meet Mommadog.  Of course, that was before I found out she planned to chaperone the date!  Really Mommadog!  You act like I’m a puppy sometimes!  My sisters and I watched from the window for Turbo to arrive.  I was SOOOO nervous!


Fortunately, Turbo arrived in his red convertible, the one that was named after him!  There were only two seats, no room for Mommadog!  Woot woot!  Mommadog seemed to like Turbo and she agreed we could go without her.  



We didn’t notice right away how she and Lily and Abby were acting so funny, sneaking things out to a strange car and all…

We took off in Turbo’s car and it was a beautiful day.  I let my ears blow in the breeze.  It was so much fun!  We drove for a while but it seemed no time at all before Turbo was stopping at an ice cream stand.  He’s such a gentleman!  We had single dips of bacon flavored ice cream.  You should have seen the other customer stare!  You’d have thought he’d never seen two dogs get out of a red convertible and buy ice cream before!  Hmmmph!  



It was about that time that I noticed an odd lady in a crooked wig watching us through binoculars.  THEN I saw two dogs wearing those disguise glasses with the moustache and big nose. Double Hmmmph!  I ignored them and hoped Turbo wouldn’t notice.

Once we were driving again, I saw those suspicious characters following along behind and you can’t imagine such driving!  They were all over the road, it’s a wonder we weren’t all killed!  I think Abby was driving so Mommadog could keep those binoculars trained on Turbo and me.

“Uh Turbo,” I said, “do you see a strange lady with crooked wig and sunglasses driving erratically behind us?” 
Turbo smiled at me.  “They’ve been back there the whole way.  I think one of your sisters is driving,” he told me.
“How embarrassing!”  I tried to think of things I could throw at the other car, but other than our picnic basket, there wasn’t anything handy.

They must not realize I have 540HP in this car that they designed and named after me. I don't want your mommadog  to worry, though, so I'm letting them stay within sight...” chuckled Turbo.


I sighed, “please tell me your family is crazy too!”

“Of course they are!” said Turbo, “I guess it’s just part of being a family.  I’m lucky to have one though.  You know, I’m a rescue.”

“You ARE?” I cried.

“Yes,” said Turbo.  “And after I was rescued, my mom found me and adopted me.  I sure was glad to get a home and I sure was lucky to get such a good one!”

“Me too!”  I told him, “I’M a rescue too!”

“Really?  Wow, that’s something we have in common!  Looks like you got a good family too.”

“Oh I really did!  They embarrass me sometimes, like NOW,” I glared in the direction of the other car, “but they’re the best!”

Turbo glanced over and smiled at me and I smiled at him and it was…MAGIC.  I knew then that I wanted to spend all my time with Turbo, forever.

“This looks like a good place for our picnic,” said Turbo pulling off to the side of the road.  Opening the door for me, he asked, “would you like to take a walk first?”

“I’d love to,” I smiled, “all those beautiful leaves!  How romantic!”

It wasn’t long though before we were hungry and we started back to the car, BUT WHEN WE GOT THERE…. “Oh NO!”  I cried, “SOMEONE has taken the bottle of wine I put in my picnic basket!”  I glared around the picnic area looking for the culprits.  I KNEW who it was, of course!

“Never mind, Zuda,” Turbo told me soothingly.  He reached into a compartment I hadn’t seen before and pulled out….a 
bottle of CHAMPAGNE!!

“Oh Turbo!” I sighed, “you think of EVERYTHING!”  Turbo blushed and smiled and we spread our blanket on the grass and unpacked all the bacon delights that I brought along for us.  While we were enjoying our feast, I said, “Turbo, Mommadog asked me to invite you to dinner next week.  Can you come?  Daddyman will be there then and he really wants to meet you.”

Turbo gulped his last bite.  Then he said, “I’d love to meet your daddyman Zuda.  I never had a daddy myself though so I hope I’ll know how to act.”

“Oh you’ll love Daddyman!”  I told him, “he takes such good care of us all.  We take care of him too of course.  He’s very kind, I’m sure you two will get along great.”
“Well, of course, if he’s YOUR daddy, I’m sure I’ll like him too,” agreed Turbo and then we snuggled together on the blanket to watch the sunset.


To Be Continued…(Will Turbo like Daddyman?  Will Daddyman like TURBO??  What will Mommadog serve to eat?  How will Zuda control her overprotective Mommadog at the dinner???  Tune in next week!)

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Part 2: A Tail of Two Rescues

A note from Sir Bentley: Greetings fans!  This week we're posting two parts of the story to sort of jump start it for you.  After this we'll post one a week with the final part being posted the week of the "Big EVENT" (September 7 at the BROOD Ramble)

Part 2:  The Meeting


Turbo:
I remember it like it happened yesterday.  


I had just finished a set at the piano in George’s Piano Bar and I was having a drink with some of my pals when Bentley came hurrying over.
“Hey Turbo” he whispered, “look over there at the bar.  See that lady Basset talking to Bessie?”
“Uh huh,” I said.

“That’s Zuda.  You know the one I was telling you about?  We met her at the BROOD Ramble, remember?  She’s really nice.  I was talking to her on Facebook the other day and I really think you should ask her out.”
I sighed.  Subtle is not something Bentley ever mastered.  “I dunno Bent,” I said, “I think I might be the kind who is unlucky in love.  Besides, I’m a little old for that kind of thing”

“What?  Don’t be silly!  There’s no such thing!  Zuda’s no puppy either, she’s a mature lady dog and besides, she likes you.”
“How do you know that?”  I asked curious in spite of myself.
“She as good as told me so the other night when I was talking to her on Facebook!” Bentley looked triumphant. “She likes you a lot, now go ask her out!”
 “That’s not my style, to just walk slap up to a lady and say ‘let’s go out’!  That’s kind of cave dog, I think,” I frowned.
“Well maybe it SHOULD be your style!” huffed Bentley, “okay then, just go over there and chat with her a little.  Bessie will introduce you.  Buy her a bacontini or something.  It can’t hurt to introduce yourself and say ‘hi’ you know.”

I sighed again, but Bentley had a point.  It couldn’t hurt to be friendly.  Maybe we could at least be good pals like George 
and Bessie.  “Okay I’m going in,” I decided.  “You stay here and try not to stare.”  I started toward the bar and then turned back, “and don’t go announcing our engagement to the whole bar while we’re getting to know each other either!”
“Would I do that?” Bentley looked wounded.
“Yes,” I replied and turned toward the bar again.


“Hey Turb, where you going?” asked Gunner.
“Yeah Turb, what’s up?” said Jackieboy Tyler.
“Shhh!” said Bentley, “he’s going to ask Zuda out!”
“Bentley!!”
Bentley put on his innocent face, but he winked at our friends.

“Zuda’s nice,” said Gunner, “and she has great ears!”
“And a nice waggy tail,” agreed Jackieboy.
“Good luck mate!” chimed in George, “and bring us another round when you’ve made your date.”

Shaking my head I started for the bar again.  It WAS sort of flattering that they just took it for granted that Zuda would say “yes” if I asked her out.  I hoped I could work up the nerve.
When I got to the bar Bessie said, “hi Turbo, what’ll it be?” She turned to Zuda, “have you met Turbo, Zuda? He’s Bimmer’s and Bentley’s brother you know.”
“We haven’t met,” said Zuda smiling at me and fluttering her eyelids ever so slightly, “but I’ve heard a lot about you from Bentley.  And Bimmer thinks there’s no one like her big brother Turbo!  I wish MY sisters were as admiring.”
“Hi Miss Zuda,” I said smiling back, “I’ve heard a lot about you from Bentley too.  He and Bimmer really enjoyed meeting you at the Ramble.”  I turned to Bessie, “Bessie may I have some bacon sliders please?  And bring Miss Zuda whatever she’d like.”  I turned back to Zuda, “you know, tickling those ivories is hungry work!  Thirsty work too!  Won’t you join me?”
“Thank you.  I’d like that,” said Zuda.
“TWO orders of bacon sliders?” asked Bessie with a knowing grin.


“Please Bessie and a couple of bacontinis,” I added remembering Bentley’s suggestion.  “How did you like the Ramble?” I asked Zuda while Bessie was preparing our order. “Bentley and Bimmer had a great time.  Bentley’s a little sorry he missed out on the gold in the cookie toss but he had a great time campaigning.”
“I saw the cookie toss and Bentley was really good,” said Zuda.  “It’s too bad he didn’t win, but it would have been hard for any Basset to catch that last cookie.  It was sort of high.”
 “Hmm, Bentley didn’t mention that,” I said, “he’s a pretty good sport.  Were you in the cookie toss event?”
“No,” said Zuda looking down shyly, “I was in the kissing contest.”
“Really?” I said with interest as our food and drinks appeared, “and how did you do?”
“Oh,” Zuda blushed, “well, I took home the gold.”  She gave me a half smile.


“Wow!”  I said, “help yourself Miss Zuda, there’s plenty of food here.” 
We ate for a few minutes and then Zuda said, “oh dear!  I’ve eaten way too much and way too fast!  Not ladylike at all Momma dog says!”
“Nonsense!  I like to see a lady dog enjoy her meal,” I told her, “besides, if YOUR siblings are like mine, you HAVE to eat fast in self defense.” I glanced at the clock and sighed.  “I have to get back on duty at the piano now” I didn’t want to leave, I was having a great time talking to Zuda!  Then I had an inspiration, “I’ll play you a song, what’s your favorite?”
“I like Billy Joel,” said Zuda smiling again, “nobody ever played a song just for me before Turbo.”


“Well they SHOULD!” I said, “I’m going to fix that situation right now!”  I marched over to the piano and sat down, wondering which song to play.  I decided on one of mom’s favorites: “a bottle of white, a bottle of red, perhaps a bottle of rose instead…” by the time I reached the end of the song, “…meet you anytime you want in our Italian restaurant.” Zuda was sitting at the piano with her bacontini. 
“Bravo!” she said, “I love that song.”
“It’s a favorite in our family,” I replied, “I’m glad you liked it.”
“Oh I did!” she agreed.

“Miss Zuda, do you like cars?”
“Yes, I like cars a lot,” she told me looking puzzled.
“Oh good!  Would you like to go for a drive with me sometime…when you’re not busy I mean?”
“I would LOVE to go for a drive with you Turbo.  How about tomorrow?” she blushed, “I mean…I’m not busy tomorrow…but if you’re busy, we can go another time…”
“Tomorrow’s great!”  I said, “maybe around eleven?  I want to make sure the car is nice and clean and shiny for you.
“Eleven is perfect.  Shall I meet you here?  It’s convenient for both of us and my sisters…” she shrugged helplessly.
“I know what you mean,” I told her reassuringly, “Bentley and Bimmer are great, but there are times…” I rolled my eyes.
“I’m looking forward to it Turbo,” said Zuda softly, “but now I better go home and start getting ready.”  She gave me a wink as she slid off her stool by the piano and started out the door.  I noticed that she really did have a nice waggy tail just like Jackieboy said.  I turned back to the piano and started playing again.



  In a few moments, Bentley was standing by the piano.
“I knew you’d like her!” he said.
“What are you talking about?’ I asked as I kept playing.
“You’re playing ‘Marry Me’.  Kind of a giveaway, don’t you think?” grinned Bentley.  “So when’s the wedding?”
“Bentley, there’s no wedding, but we do have a date.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m working here.”
“A DATE!!!” shouted Bentley, “hooray!  Turbo and Zuda have a date!”
“Bentley!” I growled through my teeth, but it was too late.
“A DATE!” yelled several of our friends, “way to go Turbo!”
“A DATE!” cried Bessie, “AT LAST!  Drinks on the house! Here’s to Turbo and Zuda’s first date and many more to come!  Come on Turbo!  Don’t be shy, step up to the bar and join the celebration!”
“Aww shucks!” I said, blushing, but really I was ecstatic.  I was pretty sure Zuda was the nicest lady dog I ever met and I couldn’t WAIT to take her out for a drive the next day….


TO BE CONTINUED… (Will they have a good time on their first date?  Will it be perfect and romantic?  What kind of car does Turbo have?  Will Zuda like it?  Will Turbo like Zuda?  Will Zuda like Turbo??)


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

A Tail of Two Rescues: Part 1

Greetings Friends!  Yes, I know, I know!  It's been WAY too long, but being the CEO of Sir Bentley Art keeps me super busy!

Just recently though, I was inspired to tell you the most beautiful love story.  It's even true!  It's the story of my brother Turbo and his lovely fiancee, Zuda.  I call it  A Tail of Two Rescues.

I thought it would be best to tell it from the point of view of the principals and so we begin with Zuda (with a cameo by yours truly, of course).  First though, I must apologize to Zuda for not being able to speak her beautiful dialect.  Mummy and Aunt Angie always insisted that we speak correct hooman English you know.  (They didn't know any better and now it's too late) Anyway, without further ado, part 1:

 Part 1:  The Set Up
Zuda:
Our first meeting…ahhh yes.  It didn’t start out as romantically as a girl might hope, but of course all that was made up with interest and a cherry on top later.  Here’s what happened:
Lily and Abby and I went with Momma dog and Daddyman to the BROOD Ramble in September.  We always like to support the organization that gave all of us so many reasons to be happy.  This year too, we had heard that Bentley would be there campaigning.  My sisters and I had been following Bentley’s campaign and we thought he was awfully cute!  We even had some squabbles about who he would like best..

It was a wonderful day, even though hot.  We got to meet Bentley and his sister Bimmer and also our Queen, Bailey!  We were all so excited!  All those important Names in just one day, imagine!




All the way home we talked about how much we LOVED Bailey and Bimmer and giggled about Bentley and what a gorgeous President he would make and wouldn’t it be fun to be the First Lady if you were married to such a nice President?

We got busy right away on Facebook furthering our acquaintance with Bentley and supporting his campaign.  Were we ever disappointed when we found out he was already in a relationship!  But THEN he mentioned his brother and running mate, Turbo!  We were all excited again, ESPECIALLY after we saw his picture.  My but he looked strong and handsome and noble! 


Bentley tried to get Turbo to chat with us then, but Turbo said he thought he was much too old to find true love and besides, he needed to practice his piano since he’d be playing at George’s.  He did say he’d love to be friends with us though.

“How old is he?” I asked when Bentley reported this conversation.
“Well…he’s ten,” said Bentley hesitantly (he was only three at the time after all), “but most of the time he seems WAY younger than that, I promise!”  He’s really fun, he just needs more naps.  I like naps myself!”
That decided it for me!  After all, I’m the oldest sister and no spring chicken either!  I’m young at heart myself though and lots of naps sounds like a bonus to me!  “Back away girls,” I told my sisters, “THIS one is meant for ME!”


They pouted a little, but agreed that I should have the first chance.  (As if there would be a second chance for anybody! HMMPH!!)

“Hey Bentley,” I said then.  “Do you think Turbo would talk just to me?  I’m sure we could be really good friends.”
“I think so too,” said Bentley, “but he really is practicing right now.  Let me think…..WAIT A MINUTE!  I’ve got it!  It’s PERFECT!  Zuda, can you come to the bar day after tomorrow?  George’s Piano Bar I mean, you know the one?”
“I do know it,” I agreed, “and I’d love to come to George’s. But I don’t quite see…”
“Turbo will be playing then and Bessie will be working, she’ll help me introduce the two of you.  Please say you’ll come!”

I laughed, “of course I’ll come.  What time should I be there?”

To be continued....