Cora's Temptation

We brag quite a bit about our wonderful rescue dog, Cora. We feel we can do that since she came to us at around 2 years of age, already sweet, loving and partially trained. Since we didn't make her this good, we feel we can brag without seeming boastful.

Even in restaurants, Cora is remarkably well-behaved. After an initial tail-wagging for the wait staff and perhaps a pat from that friendly person at the next table, she usually settles quietly down under the table and goes to sleep. No drooling on one's shoes; no begging, hopeful eyes. So, when we took her to Murray Circle to sit with us on the porch while we ate a delightful lunch, we weren't prepared for the antsy, nose-in-our-plates nuisance she turned into.

She was great during the soup course - apparently sweet pea gazpacho and Vichyssoise don't tempt her palate - but when my lamb canneloni with Parmesan sauce and green salad showed up, it was a whole different story. I kept finding that long, quivering nose poked tantalizingly close to my plate with some serious sniffing going on. She was never so rude as to actually lick the plate or try to seize the canneloni but you could tell it was taking every ounce of her self restraint not to. It was hard to scold her, too, as it really did smell wonderful. The taste was hearty and rich, from lamb that had been cooked low and slow, then wrapped in pasta and clothed in silky, cheesy sauce.

If I could have figured out how to save a bite of that marvelous meal for Cora, I would have given her a taste after we left the table. As it was, all she got was a tempting sniff and a whole lot of "Sit!"