Whenever my “Sam” human starts rummaging around in the doggie accessories boxes, I know I’m in for a dress up session. Usually it’s because she has an idea for a silly greeting card, or another photo for our book. Well, in this case I was half right. I was indeed going to get dressed up, but not for a photo session. This was for a parade, and Ellee and I were to be IN the parade.
Sam: Zoey, do you know why we’re dressing up and marching in this parade?
Zoey: Ah-h-h, nope no idea. But dressing up is good! I like dressing up.
Sam: And why is that, Zoey?
Zoey: “Cause I get cookies. Lots of cookies. And carrots. I l-o-o-o-ve carrots. They’re cold and crunchy, and, ooh, ooh, squeaky toys. I get to chew the squeaky toys. But most of all I like the cookie treats. I’m a lab, you know, so eating is my thing. I could just eat and eat and eat and . . .
Sam: Ah-h-h, Zoey ?
Zoey: . . . and eat and eat and eat until I . . .
Sam: Zoey, ZOEY! STOP all right all ready! This isn’t like a photo shoot. There will be no carrots! There will be no squeaky toys. There will be no cookies! Just a nice long walk for a good cause.
Zoey: No carrots?
Sam: No carrots.
Zoey: No cookies???
Sam: No cookies.
Zoey: No way! I’m not doing it without cookies.
Sam: Yes, you are.
Zoey: No, I’m not.
Sam: Yes, you ARE.
Zoey: No, I’m NOT You can’t MAKE me!
Sam: Yes, I can.
Zoey, No, you CAN’T.
Sam: OK, no parade, no dinner.
Zoey: (pause) What should I wear?
The Parade was the 16th annual e Mystic Krewe of Barkus Parade. “The only Mardi Gras krewe in New Orleans by and for the canine population . . . proceeds benefit homeless animals through donations to animal welfare organizations”
Zoey and Ellee coughed up $100 from their cookie jar to march in the parade. Zoey did ultimately dress up, but she refused to let Sam take her photo once she found out that the parade goers had brought plenty of dog treats for the dogs in the parade. In fact, they were showered with treats as they walked the parade route. So much for “no cookies”
