Adventures of Chip de ‘Ville (Three Dog Bakery)

Posted on March 16, 2016March 31, 2016 by Dannah K. "Dannie" Prather

Hi all. Chip here.

On a recent chilly day, Prue* and I went in search of a new destination for our routine, and as far as I’m concerned, we hit the Mother Lode.

Three Dog Bakery opened its doors about 17 years ago, and Pastry Chef Brenda (above) has been baking each of those years. The recipes are very pet-friendly, no sugar or salt, and there are also wheat- and grain-free offerings.

Brenda says she has the perfect job. She gets to bake but is never tempted to eat the treats herself, although I have no idea why; they are so yummy!

Prue says the treats are as pretty as any she’s seen in a bipedal bakery. Some are refrigerated and need to be eaten in a few days (no problem!) and others are good for weeks. (Why would you wait?)

As you can see in the top photo, Brenda also bakes specialty cakes and other treats on request. (I’m hoping for a bone-shaped cake for my birthday this year, even though we don’t know the exact date.)

They even have a party room! (Hint, hint)

The store is well stocked with all sorts of neat-looking merchandise, and Prue says I have to mention that they have stuff for cats, too. (Whatever.)

Three Dogs is a franchise, but with nearly 20 years of doggy-treat history in the ‘Ville, this shop is as local as Churchill Downs. They host adoption events, obedience classes (I must enroll Prue soon!) and pet first aid workshops. How neat is that?

Three Dog Bakery is on Chenoweth Square in St. Matthews. They have their own Facebook page, so check it out.

*Person Responsible for Ultimately Everything

Adventures of Chip de ‘Ville (This dog’s life)

Posted on March 5, 2016March 31, 2016 by Dannah K. "Dannie" Prather

Hi all. Chip here.

My day-to-day life is mostly uncomplicated but having lived with Prue* since last September, I am beginning to see some complexities in my role as companion.

She has few expectations from me, except my presence, which is reassuring. Certainly I have much to offer, but I also require a great deal of sleep, so I prefer to reveal my many skills and talents gradually, lest I get too much on my plate–or supper dish as it were.

For some bipeds, the greatest gift a pet provides is a measure of helplessness. I depend on Prue for, well, ultimately everything, thus I give her a reason to get out of bed each day, get dressed and go outside. When I hear noises in the hall or see strangers in the parking lot, I manufacture the most pathetic sounds of distress I can manage so Prue finds it necessary to comfort and reassure me of her presence and protection.

She eats it up like ice cream.

When she gets down, it’s my job to make her laugh. When she comes home I skitter across the slick kitchen floor and immediately attack her feet, clawing at her shoes and rendering her immobile lest she step on me. She especially enjoys this production when she’s been gone only long enough to pick up the mail from the lobby.

“Yes, it’s always good to see you, too,” she comments sweetly, if somewhat condescendingly.

She finds it hysterically funny that my preferred chew toy is her hand. What can I say, it’s convenient and malleable, and I am an expert at apply non-painful pressure. (Note: I never try this on other humans. I’m selective with my chew toys.)

She often requires extra cuddling. Rather than being satisfied with having my toasty self pressed against her leg, she gathers me up in her arms and we stare at each other while she strokes my head. For some reason, I cannot sleep resting on her arm, so I just stare at her until she dozes off. She opens her eyes and there I am, looking right back at her.

She says this is comforting and creepy at the same time, which I find delightful!

Even in our short time together, I’ve come to realize she needs me and depends on me, possibly only slightly more than I need her.

She assures me it isn’t a competition but if it were, I’d be winning.

Later, Chip

*Person Responsible for Ultimately Everything

Chip de ‘Ville’s ‘Pooch Ponderings’

Posted on February 18, 2016February 25, 2016 by Dannah K. "Dannie" Prather

Hi all. Chip here.

Various issues and topics on my mind these days. Just when I think I’ve got something figured out, another subject crowds in. Kinda like another dog I know.

Let’s start with one of my favorite subjects, food. Prue* took the photo above of me enjoying the remnants of an elk I felled earlier this week.

Hang on.

She’s telling me I can’t lie on her blog. When did we decide this?

(Whatever.)

To say that I enjoy my food is an understatement. I can clean a supper dish like nobody’s business. Usually, I’m done before Prue reseals the bag or returns the can to the ‘fridge. The aroma of browning hamburger drives me nuts, and I can hear the sound of a Ziploc bag opening behind closed doors and when I’m asleep and buried under a couple of pounds of doggie blanket. Yep, I’m that good.

I’m a machine when it comes to food.

I really didn’t think it was a big deal when I upchucked an entire serving of soft food five seconds after I consumed it. We dogs are pretty practical about such things and I was getting ready to take another run at it when Prue started making gagging noises and looked at me like I had two heads or something.

A “friend” (yeah, right) suggested incorporating an obstacle in my supper dish (below).

Some friend. (That’s a can of mushrooms, by the way.) In no time, I shall have a tongue as agile as a giraffe’s. Prue says she expects me eventually to be able to tie her shoelaces for her.

With the obstacle in place, it now takes minutes, not seconds, to consume my kibble. Wet food I get every now and again, in small bites and mostly from Prue’s hand. Silly, but I suppose this arrangement is better than involuntary regurgitation. Maybe you, dear readers, have come up with bright ideas to deprive, I mean, limit, food intake for your pets. Feel free to share them on our blog and/or Facebook page.

Another subject I’ve been pondering is the recent discovery here in the ‘Ville of four puppies left to freeze beside a dumpster near an industrial park. Two of the shepherd-mix babies already were dead when a kind fellow on his sanitation route discovered them. He took the surviving pair to the Kentucky Humane Society.

The circle of hell to which the perpetrator should be consigned is a question for another day.

Compassionate bipeds everywhere were outraged. The fuzzballs, named Samson and Gregory, were instant media darlings. KHS was inundated with calls from people wanting to adopt one or both.

There was so much interest in the pair, KHS decided the only fair way to place the dogs was a lottery among qualified applicants. (Story from WHAS-11, Louisville’s ABC affiliate.)

As a fellow canine, I am relieved and excited that these little guys who had such a lousy start to life are going to find great homes. I sure do wish there had been four puppies in the lottery instead of just two.

But I have to wonder if those dozens of people who contacted KHS, and possibly completed an adoption application, will consider bringing home an adult dog or cat.

Does compassion rely solely on the cute factor? I hope not.

I understand the appeal of a puppy, believe me. (I was freaking adorable, after all.) But I hope, very much, that when Samson and Gregory are no longer headlines, some of those people moved to tears by their plight will follow through on pet adoption, no matter the age or breed of the animal. There’s a great deal of love to be had from dogs and cats grateful for a warm, clean home, food in the supper dish, a lap in which to snuggle, and the occasional belly rub.

For details on adoption and on current animals who need homes, contact the Kentucky Humane Society.

Later, Chip

*Person Responsible for Ultimately Everything

Adventures of Chip de ‘Ville (Half Price Books)

Posted on February 10, 2016February 17, 2016 by Dannah K. "Dannie" Prather

Hi all. Chip here.

As predicted, the fake spring kicked us in the pants here in Kentucky. Actually, I don’t have pants. In fact, I only have two-thirds of a sweater! What’s up with that?

Sorry, short attention span. I’m a dog; sue me.

Anyway, Prue* has been looking for pet-friendly merchants in the ‘Ville upon whom to share my awesomeness lest Cabin Fever get the best of me.

She says there’s a chain of amusement parks around the world that touts itself as “the happiest place on earth.” Prue, however, saves that moniker for Half Price Books. (She says the fact that we don’t have enough money to go to Disney is mere coincidence.)

We visited the Westport Road location, which popped up on a search of pet-friendly businesses in Louisville. The store is super spacious and overflowing with treasurers in hardcover, softcover, paperback, vinyl, CD, DVD and more. About the only thing that isn’t used is the stationery, but no doubt some of it is made from recycled paper.

It’s a cool store. Several overstuffed chairs, a section for kids, and even though there’s no overpriced coffee in the back, there may be some unpretentious Joe in the decanters by the door.

Prue has sold books at Half Price before. She says no one will get rich doing it, but if you are more interested in reading books than collecting them, this is the place to go. Gather up the volumes that no longer pique your interest and rotate that stock for some new-to-you treasures. It’s a great way to cut down on clutter in the home.

The carts are a perfect size for me. I met a cute little red-haired girl (Charlie Brown would be jealous) who really wanted to take me for a walk. I like kids. They’re the only people I meet who I can remotely look in the eye without getting a nasty crick in my neck or first being picked up.

As a bonus, there’s a Petsmart a few doors down! I scored some Greenies before we went home.

Later, Chip

*Person Responsible for Ultimately Everything

Chip endorses Grossberg for Mrs. Kentucky

Posted on January 13, 2016February 3, 2016 by Dannah K. "Dannie" Prather

Hello all. Chip, here.

It’s too bad that pets are deprived the vote. There’s no telling how much better the world would be were we given the opportunity to run it. Prue* tells me that, I may be denied the vote, but I can always endorse, no matter the race.

In that case, let me endorse, with enthusiasm, Erica Grossberg as Mrs. Kentucky 2016!

The pageant is Jan. 23 at the Oldham County Arts Center. Currently Mrs. Louisville, the former Erica Thornbury is a native of Oldham County, a graduate of the University of Louisville and teaches Spanish for Jefferson County Public Schools. As a mostly-Chihuahua, the latter really made me sit up and take notice, but it was her platform that sealed the deal for me.

And of course, she’s drop-dead gorgeous, too! I don’t kiss just anyone’s photo.

Erica’s platform is pet adoption. She’s a big supporter of the Kentucky Humane Society, an organization close to my heart, too. It was the KHS that brought Prue and I together.

You’ll notice in the photo above, Erica is posing with her canine companion, Betsy, a lovely golden retriever Erica rescued several years ago. En route to Florida on vacation last month, Erica and her husband, Daniel, got word that Betsy was very sick. They returned home immediately and the diagnosis was very sad. Betsy has cancer and is in her last days. She’s hanging in there, though, responding to palliative care and getting all the love and hugs she can possibly bear.

There’s a nifty twist to the Mrs. Kentucky competition. Supporters have the option of raising money for delegates’ causes, and in the process, can ensure their favorite “Mrs.” gets in the top six if she garners enough donations! Just click on the menu below her photo on this page: http://www.mrskentucky.net/contestants.htm to cast your vote and make your contribution.

I hope you will join Prue and I in supporting a lovely person, inside and out, in her quest for the Mrs. Kentucky title. Rest assured that your contribution goes to a very worthy cause, and that if Erica wins the title, she will represent Kentucky brilliantly at the national competition.

*Person Responsible for Ultimately Everything

Check out this photo of Erica speaking to the Ballard Animal Relief Club of Ballard High School about pet adoption.

Meet Chip

Posted on September 17, 2015September 22, 2015 by Dannah K. "Dannie" Prather

For years I’ve been visiting a local pet supply store across the street from my home. The Kentucky Humane Society has a small headquarters there, as it does in other Feeders Supply stores throughout Louisville, and always has several cats and dogs available for adoption.

In all my previous visits, the canines up for adoption have been too large and/or high energy for my small place, or the animals were up in years and I didn’t feel as though I had the financial means to give them the care they would require.

Last week, though, I saw Chip.

He’s about two years old and in good health. The vet tells me Chip was born with the problem to his right eye. I’m not sure if he can see anything out of it, but as far as I’m concerned, it only adds to his character.

While I do not condemn others for dressing up their pets, I’ve always done a little eye roll when I’ve seen photos of dogs and cats subjected to such treatment. However, now that I have Chip, I admit there is an urge to get him an eyepatch and pirate costume for Halloween. I hope I can contain myself.

He’s quite the charmer and was already housebroken, so I almost feel guilty for getting such a great pet so easily.

If you are looking for a pet, I encourage you to try adoption first. Sure everyone loves puppies and kittens (and quite often there are some fur babies at the KHS) but there are so many “extra” adult dogs and cats out there today, it is a great way to fill your need for canine/feline companionship while also doing the right thing for your community.