Honey…The Dog Ate The Lasagna

I had a flashback today. My boss was telling us about her daughter’s dog and her penchant for eating food. Lots of it. dog food, people food, it didn’t matter. The conversation brought me back to 16 years ago when our Lab/Chow Chow/Malamute mix Kodi was just a puppy.

We lived in Alaska at the time and it was the middle of winter.  Colder than…. let’s just say it was so cold we had to leave the car running while we went in the store. After we stopped for a couple groceries, we left  Kodi in the car with the heat on and ran into the the excuse for a department store. While we were gone, she managed to eat an entire loaf of bread and open a gallon of milk for a little drink. I’d be thirsty too after a whole loaf. Problem is, she must have missed her mouth. Milk was all over the back seat of the car. Come Spring the car defrosted and the stench of spoiled milk was unbearable. We traded that car in and got a deal on it before they set foot in the car. We felt a little sorry for the dealership guys who had to clean that mess up.  That one loaf of bread and gallon of milk signified only the beginning of her career. 

I can remember making my first lasagna ever when we were first married and we left it on the counter to cool. We learned real quick that Kodi was pretty tall on her two back legs. She stood there at the counter with her head in the lasagna. Briefly lifted her head, cocked it to the left to see me come in the kitchen. Her black snout dripping in red sauce  then went back at it with full gusto.  I cried.  Another day, I baked a full tray of cookies and left them out for my hubby. Pleased with myself for my thoughfulness. She saved two cookies for Rick and none for me. Just as well. I wasn’t sure if she licked those two.

Eventually, Kodi trained us to put all food out of reach. I stopped crying when she ate my food and even started prying bagels, and what not out of her mouth just to prove I was on to her. What little power I thought I had disappeaared. Like the time Kodi mastered unzipping backpacks and managed to eat my cousin’s souvenir chocolate bars in Germany from his bag. Wrapper and all. Tupperware was no match for her skills either. She rarely left a toothmark  on the lid. Licked them so clean I could have used them on the spot.  I didn’t really do that, in case you’re wondering. Even a brief intermission from the table meant certain demise off your meal. The kids would often shout on the way to the bathroom “watch my food”.

Towards the end Kodi slowed down and her arthritis meant she had to be more creative to get up on the table. Like use a chair to prop up on. She usually just resorted to the trash can because it was accessible. When Kodi was gone I found myself still lunging at unattended to food. That reflex has been slow to release.  As much angst as that dog caused me, I sure do have some fun memories of her. Sure hope she enjoyed my lasagna as much as I enjoyed her.