Pet Food

I’ve written about my “dont’ eat and drive” fruitcake, and Grandma’s poppyseed bread. Those are my favorite holiday baking extravaganzas; when I pull out all the stops. But much of my time in the kitchen is spent with mundane items, boiling water for tea, making coffee, or feeding the pets.

Truthfully there is an important part of the family that never eat the holiday goodies. And if you were to ask them what the best things I prepare the fruitcake would never be mentioned. Every morning and evening Max, Marcus and Sabrina line up in the kitchen demanding that chef Dad do his magic with the cat and dog food.

First I warm a bit of water. You must always be careful to make sure that the dears are adequately hydrated. And the food should be warmed for proper gustatory appeal. Then I carefully spoon out the selected viands in an carefully arranged pile at the bottom of their bowls- esthetics are so important! Now comes the topping. Currently, the perferred topping is a piquant paste derived from the best tuna sourced directly from the supermarket. Like any well garnished dish a certin flair in application adds to the esthetic appeal. Plating is so important.

There is a certain pleasure derived in watching the three consume their meal. the eager bites. The bowl licking, and the final appeal for more. And the dog is always willing to help the cats finish if they can’t.

Photographs of this sort of meal seem to be lacking in gourmet magazines and cookbooks, but a certain amount of hominid prejudice is involved.

Bon Appétit