Karma- a phenomena in which one’s actions perpetuate ethical consequences to occur in their future. This happens to perfectly describe the relationship between pets in my family. Let me begin by telling you about my first dog, Tiki. When Jimmy and I moved into our first home we decided to get a pet. He was not thrilled about the idea so my sister came along with me for the ride up to Bordentown to pick the pup out of a litter of little Chesapeakes. Our hearts were quickly stolen by the runt. Darn was he cute! I brought him home and from that day forward he was easy-breezy. Never chewed, never barked, never jumped on people at the door, never got in to ANYTHING. He was obedient and well-mannered without ever having to train him to be so. Even as a puppy Tiki was laid back and mellow. He was an old soul to say the least. I constantly had strangers come up to pet him who, while doing so, would remark “You old boy,” or “Your huntin’ days must be over.” They would ask, “How old is he? 12? 13?” I would reply, “He’s actually only 1 year old” and they would look at me with disbelief… Tiki’s two favorite things to do were follow me around and lay down. If a visiter came to the front door he would maybe lift his head off his mat to look, and that’s if he was feeling spunky that day. He was a good boy.

Then, about a year later, my sister moved into the house across the street and decided to get her first dog, a yellow lab pup, last one left in the litter.Millie. Millie came home, 8 weeks old, as a measly meddling menace. Hyperactive as they come. Her temperment could easily be compared to that of the Tazmanian Devil with ADHD. Needless to say, Tiki’s world was turned upside down. No more peaceful visits over at Aunt Julie’s house, Millie was now there with her sole purpose in life: to harass him. He would lay in the corner keeping to himself and she would tease him, taunt him, and torture him with everything she had. He would groan everytime she came near him with her puppy-like antics. Even after he developed epilepsy she was relentless, continuing with her pesky shenanigans.

As time went on Tiki’s epilepsy worsened and on a sad sad day last February he passed on. And In more time, Millie morphed from a wild child to a well-mannered adult dog. She became polite, reserved, and affectionate.

Months later, in Tiki’s absence, I decided to welcome a new puppy into my home. Along came Tide. To Millie’s (and my) surprise this new kid in town turned out to be the menace of menaces, torturer of torturers who was brought to this earth absolutely obsessed with getting her back. In a group of dogs, Tide will play nice with all the others, but when it comes to Millie he’s on her like white on rice. Upon entering cousin Millie’s house, it’s first things first- he guzzles down her entire water bowl. Then it’s on to swiping all her toys out from under her and proceeding to destruct and destroy them one by one. This is followed by an aggressive wrestling match. And finally, a quick whiz on her carpet. He is always looking to put her in place.

……And so, before Jimmy and I depart for Jamaica tomorrow, we will be dropping Tidey off (along with these cookies) at Aunt Julie’s for the week. I’m looking forward to the sun, the sand, and a drink in my hand. For Millie it will be 6 nights, 7 days of being reminded that paybacks are a in fact a bitch, no pun intended.

1 1/4 c. flour

1/2 c. pumpkin puree

1 egg

1 T. honey

2 T. peanut butter

dash of cinnamon

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together until well combined. Drop Tbsp-fulls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.