It was the summer after I'd completed graduate school, and to reward myself for walking to class for the past six years, I had just purchased my first car. Ellie the Elantra: she was sexy, economical, and environmentally friendly. I wanted to show her off. So, I made sure she was spotless, threw 'Nook in the covered back seat, and drove up to see my mom in Atlanta.
After a week of being spoiled, 'Nook and I prepared for the trek back home. As I was packing bowls and bags, 'Nook started throwing up.
"Moooooommm" I yelled, "Help!"
She ran out and saw the damage. "Uh-oh," she said, "looks like it's gonna be a long ride home."
I was not relieved.
Over lunch, I couldn't stop thinking about 'Nook's sudden illness. I took a bite of salad, and looked up at my mother.
"You know, I just can't figure it out." I poured more dressing on my salad. "I haven't switched dog foods. 'Nook wasn't around other dogs. It isn't adding up."
She looked down at her plate. Here's a little dirty secret about my mom: she's a sucker for cute, pathetic looking dogs. She knows Nanook is the closest thing she'll get to a grandchild for a really long time, so she spoils him incessantly. The first time she met Nanook, she essentially fed him a whole bag of Spicy Nacho Doritos. It's so bad, he knows when we're going to grandma's. As soon as 'Nook sees my mom come out of her house to greet us, he runs up, presses his body against hers, and gives the best 'what-do-you-got-to-eat' look. When we eat supper, he gently rests his head on my mother's leg and works the sad puppy eyes. He knows where to go to get his bread buttered.
"Mom," I say slowly, "what did you do?"
"Nothing," she replies, stirring her soup.
"MOM" I yell.
"Okay, okay. I gave him a treat."
"What kind of treat?"
She looks back at the table, "Milkduds."
I put my fork down in disbelief, "So let me get this straight." She starts to laugh, "You ... gave my dog ... Milkduds. You gave my dog chocolate?"
"He's cute."
Luckily, 'Nook managed to recover quickly, and we had a vomit-free car ride home. But it just goes to show, looks cannot only kill. Beauty can also alter my mom's brain, and convince her that feeding Milkduds to a dog is the best idea in the world.
