What makes up happiness isn’t found at makeup counter

Watch Sadie and Patti LIVE ON CNN Thursday, May 4, 2006, 10:45 A.M. Eastern Standard Time!!!!

Sunday Gazette Mail
April 30, 2006
Patti Lawson

Sadie and I have jumped right into our book tour starting in Richmond, Va., with the Southern Women’s Show and a signing at Fountain Books. It was fun and exciting, and even though Sadie did not get to be on stage as planned because she insisted on standing on her hind legs at the stove, it turned out great.

But it was in New York City that I experienced an event that wasn’t on the schedule. Needing some makeup and being right near Bergdorf Goodman and having never gone into this famed and very expensive store, my sister Bonnie and I decided to check it out.

The store even smelled of money as we walked across the wooden first floor past jewelry cases shining with diamonds and gold and looked at the directory listing designer names we’ve only seen in fashion magazines. What surprised us was that dogs were in abundance in Bergdorf’s — and not just the little ones you can carry in your purse. There were dogs of every kind on just about every floor, sometimes being tended to by the salesclerks while their well-heeled owners modeled clothes.

Once at the makeup counter, being the ever-diligent promoter, I mentioned my book. The makeup artists were all excited and asked me if they went and got it on their lunch break would I sign it? Need they ask!

My cell phone rang shortly after 1:30 p.m. The excited clerk told me they all had the book and would I please come back and sign them. And there amongst the perfumes, eye shadows, nail polishes, body buffers and dogs, I signed copies of my new book for women that I’ve trusted to provide me with happiness of a certain form for years.

I’ve trusted makeup consultants in many stores for advice on perfume that would attract men, eye shadow that was “to die for,” lipsticks sure to make my lips look divine, and bought every “free gift” ever offered. I even dragged a man into one such department once. When he was asked, “Doesn’t this make her look beautiful?” he replied, “She already is beautiful,” which of course made him a perfect date. (Or maybe just cheap!) So it seemed fitting that there among the jars and tubes and bottles promising beauty and bliss, I signed my book that told how I really learned to be happy. That it wasn’t from any fragrance or color tint on my face; in fact, it had nothing to do with these products.

The days when I lingered at the cosmetic counter looking for a magic elixir seemed long ago. Happiness was handed to me in the form of a small black-and-tan puppy and has never left. That’s not to say I don’t still like the indulgence of these luxury products. I just don’t expect anything from them other than the pleasure of using them.

These days, my makeup mostly gets licked off during the day, and Sadie never seems to notice what brand it is. And as for Sadie, you should hear her sigh of contentment when she gets a squirt or two of her Mango Tango perfume, but I assure you that’s not what makes her tail wag either.

Dear Patti: Our family was very interested in your column about puppy mills. We have a 16-year-old daughter who has her first job and insists it’s “her money” and she will do what she wants with it. Namely, she wants to buy a small designer-type dog like you spoke out against and we are firmly against. What should we do? — Perplexed Parents

Dear Perplexed: What if your daughter wanted to use her money to buy something illegal? What if she wanted to quit school? Having money may seem to give one power, but when you are 16, parents still rule. Take her to visit some shelters, do a Web search of dog rescue groups, and ask how she would pay for perhaps insurmountable vet bills for such a dog. Children need to learn that just because they can afford something, it’s not always the right thing to do. Use the same guidance here as you would in any other situation that wouldn’t be the right thing: Just say no.

Sadie and I invite all our readers to come meet us in person at 6:30 p.m. May 6 at Taylor Books. Write to us at thedogdiet@aol.com.

Dog Tired

If its Tuesday, no wonder we are Dog Tired! The book has been released and we are in the middle of our exciting bock tour! Sadie and I started out in Richmond, Virginia at the Southern Women’s Show and Fountain Books for a signing. It was such fun and we feel like celebrities! Our book is selling well and we are getting great feedback from our readers. THANK YOU!

Yesterday things really heated up with the book…sort of. I put something on the stove to cook…actually I was just making some hard boiled eggs for Sadie. Some time later as I was engrossed in writing my column DOGS…DIETS…DATING…the fire alarm on my security system went off.

You guessed It…I forgot the eggs…they burned up and exploded all over the kitchen. Quickly I shut off the alarm…opened front and back doors…turned on all the ceiling fans…and alas the alarm went off again! As I waited for the alarm company to call I started cleaning up the mess and trying to determine if my pot could be salvaged…it could not be.

All of a sudden Sadie was on ready alert…barking…running to the front door and the sound of sirens were wailing loudly. I too ran to the front door as a HUGE firetruck rolled up in front of the house. Three fireman jumped from the truck and approached the house. Sheepishly I told them of my DUMB mistake. They were so nice…and might I add…all so very handsome that if it wasn’t such a waste of time that might be better spent fighting real fires…I’d recommend this tactic for you single girls like me for meeting men. But we all know that’s not a good thing to do.

So now a copy of THE DOG DIET resides in the Charleston Fire House. Sadie and I signed a book and gave to our would be rescuers…its the least we could do since we couldn’t offer them anything we’d cooked…burnt hardboiled eggs are not that appetizing. Sadie put her rubber stamp paw print in it and I assured them with my inscription…”I really don’t burn the recipes in this book.”

So during a hiatus in our tour, we plan to make them a snack from our stash of recipies…preferably something that requires no cooking…andtake it down to the firehouse. After all…they do say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach…that is if he doesn’t have to get all the smoke out of your house from you preparing it!

I am off to Hartford for the TAILS OF JOY FUNDRAISER, a book signing at BOOK WORM and Sadie is staying home with her Dad. The two of them can forage through the kitchen for food and I have no worries about Rodney setting off the fire alarm…he simply doesn’t do cooking and he and Sadie usually live on take out when I am gone.

More tales from the Road forthcoming…and hopefully no more drama in the kitchen!

COME AND MEET US IN PERSON AT ONE OF OUR TOUR CITIES!

HEART HEALTHY…HEART HAPPY

The spring scramble is on and this one has nothing to do with golf. It has everything to do with weight and the arrival of summer. We scramble as fast as we can to anything that even hints of a fast, easy, summer-slim scheme. A new labeling on food packages and menus denoting a “Heart Healthy” food is a great asset for dieters. These foods are healthy, nutritious, flavorful, and low in calories. After last Thursday they have even a more significant meaning for me and Sadie.

Thanks to the mild winter, Sadie and I’ve been able to keep up our Dogercise regularly, and not spent too many days lying in front of the fireplace with hot chocolate. However, we even have some winter weight gain to shed. Before we began accelerated Dogercise though, we had a medical matter to attend to. Since she was a young puppy, Sadie has had a heart condition. It frightened me beyond words the first time she collapsed and couldn’t walk.

After consultation and testing with her local vet, we went to the veterinary clinic at Virginia Tech to Dr. Jonathan Abbot and his team of excellent third year veterinary students.

As Sadie went reluctantly off for her testing, I was told to go have lunch and relax, but I couldn’t eat. Instead I walked the streets of Blacksburg realizing how attached I’d gotten to this small puppy in such a short time. I recalled how miserable I’d been when I’d adopted her and how much happier and lighter everything was now.

The clinic confirmed that Sadie indeed had a serious heart problem. Maybe this medication for humans would work…maybe it wouldn’t. She was to take one-fourth tablet morning and night, continue monitoring at home and once a year at Virginia Tech. It was a somber and thoughtful drive back to Charleston.

For three years now, I’ve given Sadie the pills morning and night. It’s become a ritual with us. For three years now, Dr. Abbot and Dr. Settee have meticulously monitored Sadie and reassured me she was doing fine. The tests kept improving and then last July, she had a perfect reading. Dr. Abbott said it was time to wean her off the medication. I was in a quandary…the medication was safe, inexpensive, and had no long term side effects…what would happen if it was only the medication making her ECG reading perfect? Shouldn’t I just play it safe and continue it?

And so from July until January…..I pondered all of this, finally deciding to listen to the vets’ advice. I told them I was ready and the nerve-wracking process began.

When the final pill was given, I was scared and Sadie was confused. She still paused for her pill when she came in from the back yard in the morning. She still sat by the counter before dinner waiting for the pill…I substituted her favorite treats instead… Mellow Mutt and Happy Heart…chicken of course.

Finally the time came for another ECG and as we drove out to Hurricane to see Dr. Settee, I told Sadie that everything would be OK. Despite my reassuring words to Sadie, I was very nervous as she left the examining room. My hands shook and it’s a good thing I wasn’t getting an ECG because my heart was pounding. She returned joyfully and we had a few minutes alone before Dr. Settee returned with the good news. Sadie’s ECG was perfect!

Everything on the final report was cause to rejoice…even though Sadie had GAINED 5 pounds making my bending the truth to fit her into the 15 pound hotel restriction a little bit harder, but what the heck! We had celebrating to do and thanks to give. It all came full circle, as most things in life do you know. It seemed right that God had answered my many prayers to heal Sadie’s heart, because after all…Sadie had healed mine a long time ago.

DEAR PATTI AND SADIE: About a year ago, my girlfriend wrote to you about getting a dog. I wanted to adopt one…she insisted I buy her a miniature dog. After reading your last column, I wanted to write and give you an update. That girl is no longer a part of my life, but a rough and tumble dog named Casey is. It wasn’t just the dog disagreement that split us up, but it brought out a lot of stuff I’d overlooked. I saw, that if someone was materialistic enough to want a dog because it was a certain kind, had status of some worthless papers, and my feelings meant nothing…then in the end I’d probably end up with a marriage certificate that meant nothing. I found Casey at the shelter and he’s my fishing buddy, sidekick, and at the risk of being a girly-girl—I admit…I love him.
DOG DAD

DEAR DOG DAD: I couldn’t be happier for both of you and I think you’ve left me speechless! I received dozens of notes about the February column. People need to realize…for every dog bought, dozens at shelters die and many of them are the mothers who’ve been used mercilessly to produce the pups for sale. Sadie and I are doing some events for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (S.P.C.A.). to encourage the adoption of wonderful dogs who only want a chance to love someone.