April 2, 2012

White Dog and the White Dog Army love when Steve and Michael invite them along to walk over to the little family-owned taco shack a couple of blocks away for a snack. It is not fancy, just a little place with an outside walk-up window, but the food is authentic and the people are nice. No one said “no” on Sunday when Michael suggested such a stroll to take advantage of their 1-year anniversary celebration featuring fifty cent tacos.

When they returned, Steve mentioned that the place was packed (we love that so many turned out to support a local business) and that they had all registered for the drawing being held. There were three prizes: free tacos for a year; a taco fiesta party for twenty; and a deluxe family meal. The WDA coveted the fiesta party while Michael had fingers crossed for a year’s worth of free tacos. “Don’t break out the salsa yet, dear ones,” I said. “The chances of winning are VERY slim; you said the place was packed!”

Well, we got the phone call around eleven today. Or as Quinn would later say, “Just in time for lunch!” Puff, timid quiet Still Another White Dog, actually got the call. She had won the deluxe family meal! We could come by and claim it whenever we chose but Puff Sehi-Smith would have to appear in person.

The WDA was already at the door. “Wait! We don’t need to claim it TODAY,” I protested. “Why not? Puff won and she wants her tacos. Right, Puff?” challenged YoYoMa as he moved chummily against her. I looked at Steve who shrugged. “It is your choice, Little Princess. Don’t let the others force your decision.” SAWD looked at the expectant faces of the Army and back at me; she wagged her tail and pushed toward the door. “OK, then,” I surrendered as Steve and the WDA headed for the van.

Puff appeared in person and the clerks got a laugh when she presented her collar tags as identification. “Puff Sehi-Smith” it said right on the pink tag which hangs with her official city license and rabies tag. There was no arguing that her claim was valid, especially with the rest of the WDA barking their personal witness from Pumpkin that she was who she claimed to be.  

A dozen tacos, large nachos with cheese, refried beans, guacamole (with warm tortilla chips) and house made biscochitos spilled out of the bags. “This deluxe family meal will feed an army,” I said unaware at first at my slip. “Exactly,” was the unanimous reply.  

White Dog was mentally doing the math of dividing everything up by 5. “Firstly, WD, there are SEVEN of us here plus we are going to put together a big plate to save for Michael for when he gets home from school! These are his favorite tacos and he loves guacamole’  “But then we don’t even get TWO tacos,” Nuka complained. I gave her the momma look. “Let’s not be greedy.” Steve gently reminded, “there is plenty here for everyone.”

“Hey, smells like tacos in here,” Michael said when he walked through the door later. “What’s new?” Check out the microwave we suggested. “You guys had tacos?” “Puff won third prize at the anniversary drawing.” “Really?” “You are holding your share of her bounty!” “Wow! I was starving; thanks Puffy!”

“I am sure she would graciously tell you to enjoy but she is passed out in a fiesta stupor.”