Chapter 2: A Polish Year (continued from Ben the Foody) By November, Ben had settled into our expanded life that now included him. Routines were being rewritten … and so were my values. For the first time in my life, I now had to think of “someone” else’s needs – another living creature was now…
Ben the Foody
(Benjamin: continued from What’s in a Name) In 1996, the world was only seven years removed from the Berlin wall coming down and the country was still navigating its dynamic and very rapid transition from a “socialist” post-Soviet bloc nation into whatever it imagined it wanted to become. As such, the pet food industry was non-existent in Poland,…
What’s in a Name?
(Benjamin: continued from Ben Trains Us) What’s in a name? What do you name a creature that comes crashing into your life and bites you within an hour of knowing you? What to name a dog that quickly evidences himself a supremely smart little dog? (I hadn’t finished my first 12 hours with him before…
“La Vache Folle” (Imperial Milk Stout), Microbrasserie Charlevoix.
On Monday, and on what turned out to be a rather despicable day in terms of weather, it was appropriate that I decided to turn to the last winter beer I planned to review before next winter. It may not be entirely appropriate that I also decided to do a slow barbeque full for baby…
Ben Trains Us …
(Benjamin: continued from Three Strikes, I’m Yours) The first night, Ben trained us. Apparently a throbbing and punctured finger wasn’t going to deter me from the delusion that I could become the alpha in our burgeoning relationship. I knew from what little firsthand “adult” experience I had with dogs (most of which came via my…
Three Strikes, I’m Yours
(Benjamin: continued from Irish-Terrier Cross) After Magda had left my office earlier in the afternoon, she herself had phoned Andrea. It wasn’t long after that they then met up at the train station with an old dog collar, leash, and a blanket. Together they coaxed him near, put the collar on him, and led him…
Irish Terrier-Cross
(Benjamin: continued from previous post) I had been living overseas for two years and had just finished what was my first year in Poland when my then-wife and I began discussing the idea of getting a dog. We had returned from a summer vacation that brought us back to Canada for a visit. While it…
You Came Into My Life
You came into my life – lost – abandoned Homeless and wandering – wanting – needing Scrounging for scraps – begging – running Through the traveled train station – waiting – surviving Hunger’s fanged chops – snatching – stealing Swallowing whole garbage – wieners – tossed Fishheads and tails – insects – crawling Itching, scratching,…
April: The Month of Benjamin
As Easter Sunday arrives, it is befitting that my thoughts should go to Benjamin, my dog. Easter is the most important holiday in Poland which is where Ben(jamin) was rescued. In Poland, it is a time for not only the observance of what is arguably the most important Christian event on their calendar, but it…
“Raccoon” (Imperial Black IPA), Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur
A cool, cloudy day with still lots of snow on the lawns seemed as good as any for a return to winter … and to Imperial Black IPAs. I grabbed this beautifully styled bottle Le Naufrageur’s Raccoon out of the fridge thinking at first this was an imperial stout. The capped popped, the smells immediately…
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