Did you know that the gentleman who wrote The Dance lives in Savannah?  He does. I actually met him once.  What an incredibly powerful song. For your listening/viewing pleasure:

However, this post is not about that dance; it is instead about a routine that plays out twice daily in our house.

The participants have been together about ten years – Gracie, a ten and a half year old English bulldog, and Oprah, a thirteen year old black cat whom we adopted from the humane society at about five weeks old.

It occurs at Gracie’s mealtimes – which are usually around 7:30 am and 5:30 pm.  Mind you, Oprah has a dish of food available at all times – and heaven help us if that dish is ever empty – she screams like someone is ripping her toenails out (which is pretty much the only time she is vocal).

Oprah’s grandma (my mom) says that Oprah has an eating disorder. And she may be right; Oprah is definitely a little full-figured.  Maybe it is because she remembers not having enough to eat (although, admittedly, that would be one heck of a memory). Maybe she is living up to her namesake’s documented eating issues.

Regardless of the reason, Oprah likes FOOD – human, dog and cat food, in that order.

So, when we feed Gracie, Oprah is always hovering around us.  And the following scene is played out:

My husband and I always speculate as to the conversation that is occurring between the two of them. (Ok, I speculate and my husband rolls his eyes and says “yes, dear.”)

I think it is one of the following:

A.

Oprah:  “You know they might be poisoning you.  I think you better let me try it first to make sure it is ok.”

Gracie:  “Yeah right.  This is the lady that lets me sleep in her bed when that man is out of town. She would never poison me.”

B.

Oprah:  “(while batting her eyes) Sister, have you I told you lately that you are looking quite svelte?”

Gracie:  “OMG.  I better start eating more.”

C.

Oprah:  “Ok, chubby, here is the deal – you give me some of your food or I will methodically drop kitty litter in each of your dog beds.”

Gracie:  “Do you remember who you are talking to?  I would eat your kitty litter if it didn’t freak the people out so much!”

Oprah is devious and manipulative, so I personally think it is option C more often than not. It is always peaceful and rarely ends in Oprah getting any food.

The regularity and frequency of it makes me laugh. And I am grateful each time for that gift.