Achilles, our Golden Gourmet

Here he is, my little Golden Gourmet, just like his passed brother, Nick. I am in total love with Achilles' little hound dog face. His head and floppy ears actually remind me of a Beagle's head profile more so than a Golden's head profile. He's adorable, isn't he? ADORABLE!!!


I think I've mentioned more than once that Milo couldn't really give a rat's ass about food if there is affection and petting to be had. That's very rare for a Golden Retriever because they are highly food driven. I remember watching an episode of Emergency Vets where they had to operate on the torn stomach and intestinal lining of a Golden Retriever who discovered that her kibble bin had been left uncovered. She gorged herself to the point of tearing her poor tummy!

I'm positive Achilles would do the same if we ever made that mistake. He has actually taken metal cans out of the recycle bin in an attempt to lick out any remaining juicy morsel of food. We now keep the recycle bin on top of the bar. I can just see him slicing his poor tongue on the sharp metal edges! Milo would rather we rub his belly, pet his head, give him a massage, or all of the above, rather than eat his dinner, no matter how hungry he may be. He is so funny like that. He loves, just LOVES, affection.

Achilles, on the other hand, is the complete OPPOSITE!!! Of course he loves his petting and affection, but he is primarily a FOOD HOUND. Total and complete addiction to the delights of the culinary arts. Last night, Little Sister S brought home a roasted turkey from the store (like we haven't had enough turkey this week). He was so arreseted by the scent of this turkey that he was quivering while prancing around the kitchen. It wasn't their dinner time yet, so Ed & I took our boys out for their walk.

Achilles rushed for about a block, peed like a racehorse and took the fastest dump we've ever seen. Next thing we know he turns around and RUNS back home!!! He has NEVER, EVER done that before! He wasn't on a leash so he was able to make a break for it. It was totally unexpected since he is such a mellow walker. I caught up with him at the front door just as he skidded right into it. I was laughing out loud at this point and breathing hard from chasing him so I couldn't bear to force him back out on his walk with us. I opened the front door and he made a mad dash for the kitchen where S was still carving the roasted turkey. I could hear him panting and trying to position himself for a morsel of delicious meaty goodness. Too funny! I guess you had to be there. Those of you who know Achilles will surely be laughing at the sight of his arthritic little legs churnging to get him home for roast turkey. LOL!!!

So, it's football Sunday in the KBL household. My favorite day. Too bad my Bears couldn't play the way they did today the rest of this 'effin season!!! (Our one shining highlight of the season is the fact that even though we sucked during most of our games, we did at least beat the hated cheeseheads of the Green Bay Packers TWICE!!! Hell yeah!) As you can see, Achilles is very, very pleased that our Chicago Bears beat the Packers this season...
Mr. Grump here got PISSED OFF at me and REFUSED to let me take his picture today claiming something silly about how I'm always posting bad pictures of him on my blog or something like that. Pssshaw!!! Whatever. I took his picture anyway. Ha! He's just mad that his Miami Dolphins were only able to win ONE GAME this entire season, so he's taking it out on my *very excellent* picture taking abilities. Aww, poor baby! I keep telling him that he should just become a Chicago sports fan but he simply refuses to see the light.....Men!...Can't live with 'em, can't stuff 'em in your sock!

Anyway, back to Achilles. He likes to keep me company while I watch football. I think it's his favorite sport. I'm totally serious actually. During the "winter" months in San Diego we like to get the Hickory Farms smoked turkey sausage log with some good, aged cheeses. That's usually our snack during football along with a good crispy cracker or two and delicious sweet mustard. That's what I was snacking on today during the Chargers game. Achilles turned his attention from the game and just stared at my snack plate. An occasional hanger of drool would slime to the ground as he contemplated bum-rushing my plate and devouring all the turkey, cheese and crackers before I could stop him. I just know that's exactly what was going through his little Golden brain!!!

Of course, I couldn't help but get some video for my blog! In this video keep a close eye out for the drool hangers and licking of the lips...

This video proves my point. Milo couldn't care less that I had food. He's too busy napping.

Achilles is so very good and patient that I always reward him with a little something after I'm done eating. If he can't have what I'm eating, then I make sure to bring him one of his doggie treats. Also, I want to apologize for talking with a mouth full of my "turkey schnack". After watching this video I realized that I sound like Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa from the Food Network. She's got that soothing, monotonous voice with absolutely no inflection unless she's drinking one of her gourmet cocktails. I'm addicted to that channel. I swear it.


P.S. For any of you who visit our humble home, Ed & I are incredibly alert to germs and stuff. We wipe everything down with antibacterial wipes and we always spray carpet/floor cleansers where the boys hang out (or drool). Just FYI! :-)

Ok, I've got to take the Gourmet and the Napper out for their walk now. The Bears will once again visit the Super Bowl in 2008!!! :-) Time now to prep for Bulls basketball and Cubs baseball .

I wonder if I can tear Mr. Grump away from his Playstation 3 Assasin's Creed game to go on a walk with us? Hmmm... Wish me luck because he may just bite my head off. I'll be sure to get a picture for blog! Ha ha ha!!!! (He is going to be so mad when he reads this but I don't care!!! :-)