One evening last week Simon and I walked almost two miles on the hiking trail, from green gate to green gate and back.
Then, when we got home, I made his favorite supper of a little Beneful, a little Moist and Meaty, and, best of all, filet mignon-flavored Alpo, all stirred to perfection.
Next, we sat in the big-dad chair to watch the news and evening shows, Simon on my right, while I had my supper of salmon patties with creamy cheese sauce (one of Mary’s specialties), french-style green beans with almonds, and buttered cut corn. I, of course, shared my precious salmon patties with Simon, and when I finished, I let Simon lick my plate, being sure to leave him a little sauce and salmon. He likes the green beans too.
Food gone, he jumped down from the chair, crossed the room to the love seat, hauled his full little body up, burrowed under the blanket and disappeared for the rest of the evening.
I was devastated.
Two nights ago I shared with him my Kahn’s thin-sliced bologna and provolone cheese sandwich with Catalina dressing. I tear off the bologna that sticks over the edge of the sandwich for him; all right, I also let him have a bite of the sandwich from time to time. He stayed longer. But not much.
Last night, however, after an invigorating walk (he chose all the turns and directions), and after sharing my tortilla and polska kielbasa with hot sauce supper, Simon stayed most of the evening, left about midnight; he even licked up the hot sauce. At least he doesn’t leave to sit with anyone else.
I have discovered that in order to get him back, quickly, all I have to do is go to the kitchen, get several Kraft mozzarella cheese sticks and a box of almond-nut thins, mostly gluten free. Before I can return to my chair he is there. It never fails, no matter how sound asleep he is. He is like Gromit the dog, Simon loves cheese; I suppose it helps that sometimes I say, “cheese, Simon, cheese,” before I leave; but whether I do or not he knows. Behavior modification! I guess I should take some comfort in the fact that he doesn’t sleep around.