Day One Hundred Seventy Three

Bullymania

Well, Jack is now getting in on the act. He has been watching Rooney's new verbalizations with keen interest and has decided he needs to up his game. This is especially important when desiring people food.

We had stuffed meatballs for supper last night. Everyone was interested, from the cats watching me make them, to the dogs watching us eat them. Now, in the past, I have added chopped (toxic to dogs in any form) onions to meatballs and meatloaf, which rendered them inedible for Jack and Rooney. This batch was onionless, and I swear they knew it. While the meatballs were cooking, Jack kept venturing into the kitchen, then walking away drooling. I promised I would give each of them a meatball after we ate our supper. They held me to that promise.

They were so patient while Andy and I ate. If you haven't seen the recipe online, you add a block of mozzarella cheese to a blob of your meat mixture, then form the ball around it. You can either cook these in your sauce in a slow cooker or on the stove. Anyway, the result is a super delicious meatball. Jack and Rooney knew they were good, too. I mean, they can smell like a million times more than humans, right? So, they were picking up on some goooood stuff. (Apologies to my vegetarian friends. If it makes you feel better I always thank the unfortunate animal who provided a meal for me.)

So, while we were eating, Rooney was "telling" Andy she had waited all day and was about through with being patient. Jack speaks in "drools." The longer and more copious the drooling, the more intense is his desire for whatever you're eating. It also ups the odds of you sliding on it and breaking a hip. It was getting serious. I took two meatballs out of the pot, covered them in sauce and cut them up. But they were too hot for them to eat so I put them in the fridge.

Aren't you forgetting something?

Jack knew they were in there and waited just long enough till he lost his mind and came to get me - just in case I had forgotten they were in there. He stood in front of the fridge and sort of motioned with his head - "Mom, I don't know why you put our food in there, but I think it's time to take it out! Like now!!" They were the most anticipated meatballs in the history of meatballs and it took J and R about a half of a second to wolf them down.

Later in the evening, while we were watching TV, I cut up an apple and cheese as a snack for the two of us. I always give Jack and Rooney apple slices as a treat. Now, I don't know if dogs can discern different types of apples the way we can, but this was an Ambrosia apple and Jack nearly lost his mind again! He loved it.

Andy told them he would save each a piece when we were finished. They waited patiently - once more. So they each got another slice of apple. Jack wanted more. Andy told him they were all gone. Jack seemed to accept that, and turned to sulk away. Then he must have decided maybe we were tricking him. He changed course from going to his bed, to walking over to the empty bowl to check for himself. You never know with these humans. They can be pretty sneaky.

I might love you but I do not
trust you...

Meanwhile, the cats had no desire for either the cooked meatballs, apples or cheese. They have a much more discerning palate. As in, "Oh. We liked that yesterday but it's disgusting today. How do you expect us to eat this junk? Do you have anymore of that stuff you fed us a week ago Wednesday? Yea, that was really good..."

You expect me to eat this?
I'm just gonna cover it up and forget it...