Axis of Evil

According to our President, George Bush, in his State of the Union Address on January 29th, 2002, he named Iran, Iraq, and North Korea the “Axis of Evil.” Apparently, our President has not met the real “Axis of Evil” which can be found here at my house. The axis rears its ugly head twice a day when it’s feeding time. We call the axis, Luke, Madison, and Meego. Lexy represents America.

Feeding four large dogs is no easy chore. Putting aside the expense (yes, I was aware of the potential expense before bringing each puppy home, but they are all so cute at 8 weeks of age, so who thinks rationally?), the very chore can be overwhelming when all four ‘think’ they are starving and I am not moving fast enough in filling their bowls.

And of course, there’s more to their diets that a simple scoop of dog food. We use Eukanuba dog products here. Meego is still on the “puppy” mix, as he is still growing, which should scare us; Lexy is on the “old dog” special needs mix; and Luke and Madison are on a “weight maintenance” mix. So right off the bat, it isn’t easy. Thankfully, I have three large bins that allow easy storage and retrieval of the products.

Each bowl then gets its own addition. Everyone gets a scoop of pumpkin, a multivitamin, and some form of glucosamine, and Madison gets a small scoop of unsweetened, low fat coconut. Because Lexy is Lexy, she gets an egg for breakfast and a hotdog in her bowl for dinner. (she has the need to feel special) And each day Meego and Madison get Vitamin C.

So where does the “axis of evil” come into play? Everyone chows down their food, except Lexy, who eats like an old lady in her own time. Either Jim or I have to stand guard over her, because after the others eat, they begin to circle the area where Lexy eats, like sharks, like Indians around the wagon trains, or like the “axis of evil” arming to threaten the peace of the world. Lexy pays no attention. She picks up her food, chews like an old lady, leers at them (even smiles), and begins the process again. She is never in any hurry. This process plays out twice a day, every day.

Feeding time at the zoo adds humor to our day. But I do like knowing my dogs are as healthy as they can be through our attention to nutritional details and that their tummies are happy. Even with the “Axis of Evil” lurking nearby.