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featured are Sweet Nestlee from Noquochoke, CGC, Alpha Summerthyme Star, CGC, Summerthyme Dory Delight, and Queen Pearl of Grampian ~ with a special guest appearance of Glow Bowman, CGC ~ ~ made possible by Audrey ~ PART ONE
"Who shall I invite?" Nestlee asked herself as she hummed a little tea-party tune. It went a little like this: "Hmmm de dum, hmm de dum. Hum diddle diddle dum. Having a little tea party and who-would-want-to-come?"
"I know who would come!" Nestlee got out her little flowered address book with all her phone numbers in it and looked up two names: Dory Delight and Alpha Star. They were ALWAYS up for a party! "Hello, Dory? This is your very good friend, Nestlee.....Yes, dear, HELLOOOOOO!........I wonder if you would be so kind as to come to my Garden Tea Party at 2pm this afternoon..........Yes, hats are appropriate........no........I have everything I need, thank you.........yes, I have your favourite peanut butter frosted biscuits from WOOF....yes that new shop in Bristol.........Oh, thank you Dory.......see you at two!" Nestlee then dialed Alpha's phone number. "Hello, Alpha? This is your friend Nestlee.........Hello, old friend!........I'm fine, thank you very much.....how are you?......and your legs?......Oh, that's good to hear......Listen, I'm having a Garden Tea Party at 2pm this afternoon - would you like to come? Oh, wonderful! And guess who else is coming? No......guess again.......noooo, silly girl, not Benjii! I hear he's not well anyway........It's your cousin Dory Delight!.....That's good!.....OK, then - see you at two. Bye for now!" "Meowrrrrrrr......so, it's going to be those two scamps Alpha Star and Dory Delight.".....purred Pearl. "Hmmm......this is going to be fun with a capital 'F'....." Pearl slipped in the bushes to plot and wait for the party to begin...... PART TWO 'DING dong' rang the doorbell. Nestlee looked at the clock - 2pm precisely. 'That would be Alpha - she's always prompt', thought Nestlee happily as she scurried to the door.
"Come in and join me in the garden. I'll pour your tea and we can chat while we wait for Dory. Love your shades, dear. Where did you EVER find them - looks like you've gone Hollywood on us!!" "Thank you, Nestlee. I got them at
the new Yuppy Puppy Boutique in the village. The shopkeeper said they were
just meant to
be mine! This is SUCH a nice idea, a Garden Tea Party. Such
a sunny day. Such a pretty garden. And look
at the butterflies!" 'DING dong' rang the doorbell again. "That must be Dory Delight! Alpha, make yourself at home - pour some tea - I'll be right back!" Nestlee called over her shoulder as she went to the door. Watching from the bushes was Pearl, the cat. She washed her whiskers, then washed her tail from base to tip, watching and listening to the Ladies Having Tea. "purrrrrrrr.............purrrrrrr................can you just believe all this silliness?" Pearl asked herself. "Just wait until that scampy Dory Delight gets settled - THEN we'll see some FUN! I know what makes that dog tick............."
"Oh, Dory, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that new hat! Where did it come from?" Alpha wanted to know. "Can't tell you, Alpha, you'd never believe me anyway. It's not from anyplace you'd think I would get a new hat! But isn't it fab-booooo?" Dory answered happily as her nose wiggled, catching the aroma of the treats to be had at tea. "Come on, now Ladies, try these biscuits." urged Nestlee. "Try this one with carob and peanut butter chips." "yummmmmm............ooooooo..................ahhhhhhhhhhhh................." Dory and Alpha drooled with delight. Nestlee smiled proudly at her biscuit choices from the WOOF Barkery. Pearl was slowly rising from her place from
the bushes, but the shadows hid her from the Ladies
"But, sweetie," cooed Alpha, "Why do you bother going to that salon anyway.......they are ALWAYS changing staff, and you can NEVER count on anyone being there from week to week....." Pearl crept closer still.......Dory was enraptured by the delightful desserts on Nestlee's table.............. "Then I told her that I was tired of the crimp in my ear hair. I decided that straight was the way to go - crimped hair was so oooollllllldddd." blathered Nestlee. Dory jumped a bit. "Nestlee sweety, do you have - oh dear, I hate to ask this of you darling - do you have....................FLEAS in your garden?" "WHAT????? FLEAS?????? Oh my goodness! Why are you asking?" squeaked Nestlee. PART THREE "I felt something pinch my tail, Nestlee, and I KNOW I don't have fleas - I've been using Frontline all summer!" declared Dory. "But, Dory, dear," whined Nestlee, "I have the lawn treated by my gardener, so I'm SURE I don't have fleas, either. Are you sure it isn't your imagination, sweetie?" "It must be her imagination." whispered Alpha into Nestlee's ear. "She is Soooooo flighty, you know!" "I know", whispered Nestlee back to
Alpha. "Just look at her hat all askew. Just let her SMELL "Hey, Alpa, I heard vat! I am NOT fwighdy! I DID ZO veel sompdhing pinch my daeew!" shouted Dory with her mouth full of peanut butter biscuits. "Sweety", cooed Nestlee, "Not with your mouth full. Now, let's forget this unpleasantness and have some tea." "Right" agreed Alpha. "I'll pour. Sugar anyone?" Dory grumbled a bit, but decided to let the discussions drop. After all, peanut butter biscuits were her favourite! Pearl purred. "Hmmmm........this is fun. Wonder what else I can do to stir the pot?" She rolled on her back and swatted blossoms and thought about her next trick! PART FOUR "Now, Alpha, dearie, tell me about your recent holiday on Long Island. I hear the North Fork is charming this time of year" asked Nestlee politely as she poured more tea for Dory to wash down her peanut butter. "Oh, Nestlee" answered Alpha, "You would have ADORED Shelter Island. Every cottage has gardens with huge blossoms for squirrels to try to hide in - they didn't fool me, you know. I could SMELL them. Squirrels think they are so clever." "I know what you mean", Nestlee said. All they need to do is twitch their tails and their arroooomaaaa....ahhhhh...." "Well, the aroma of these biscuits is wonderful, too!" exclaimed Dory. "I'll show them aroma!" meowred Pearl from the flower beds. "These dogs think they have the best sense of smell - well see if they can smell ME!" Pearl quietly climbed on top of the garden shed, remaining in the shade of the main house. In her mouth was acorns the gardener missed when he raked last. PLOP! SPLOOSH! An acorn fell in Dory's tea cup. "HEY! Nestlee!" squealed Dory. "I thought you chased all the squirrels away today before we came. I told you I did not want to be interrupted in my tea party activities to chase squirrels. My HAT would fly off!" "Dory. Oh my goodness........let me wipe off that tea before it stains your yellow coat brown!" Nestlee swiped Dory's face with her napkin and sputtered her apologies. "I'm so sorry. I thought I really chased that nasty beast away this morning. I know how you like chasing them, but after all, that's another day's activity!" "Please, Dory," begged Alpha. "Calm down. You know how squirrels are......you just can't figure them out. Nestlee tried her best. Have another biscuit. Besides, I can't smell a squirrel within a mile of here - it CAN'T be a squirrel" Alpha pushed the biscuit plate towards Dory with her left foot. Pearl rolled another acorn off the roof onto the biscuits. It gently plopped in the peanut butter and carob one on the edge of the plate closest to Dory. Dory picked up the biscuit and took a big, slavering bite. "OUCH! HEY! If it wasn't a squirrel, then who put that acorn in my biscuit? ALPHA!!!!!" Pearl was purring from the garden shed roof as she slithered away, back into the flower beds......... "Dory, DARling.....please calm yourself," soothed Nestlee. "It has to be the squirrel again, I'm sure. Your nose must just be desensitized by all the great biscuit smells. Now, listen Ladies, I'm going to go into the garage and look for my small animal sonic machine. You have another cup of tea. I'll be right back." "Take your time, Nestlee, dear. We'll be fine, won't we, Dory?" replied Alpha calmly. Nestlee trotted off to the garage. Dory looked peeved. "This party is a disaster, Alpha. I don't know WHAT Nestlee was thinking. After all, she's great fun when we play ball, but I am the one who should have had this Tea Party." "Oh, Dory, pleeeeuuzzzzzz. Don't be mean. Nestlee ALWAYS throws great parties - this one is just having a bit of trouble. When Nestlee comes back, let's both make the effort to be gracious." Pearl purred and twitched her whiskers, planning her next trick.......... PART FIVE "Hewe I am!" called Nestlee as she breezed back in the garden carrying a heavy box between her teeth. The box was trailing a long electric cord that seemed to go on forever behind Nestlee as she trotted by, holding her head high so as not to trip on the box or the cord. "What is the world is that?" asked Alpha, getting up to help Nestlee. Alpha took the box from Nestlee, who licked her lips to restore the moisture. "That, my dear Alpha, is my Rodent Remover." "Wodent wemoober?" slurped Dory over the peanut butter biscuits. "Waz a wodent wemoober?" "Please, Dory, not with your mouth full, dear. Remember your manners," corrected Nestlee gently. "It emits a high pitched sound that even we dogs can't hear. It keep the squirrels in the neighbor's yard unless I turn it off for some fun. Sometimes even I enjoy a chase the squirrel moment." "Show us how it works, Nestlee." encouraged Alpha. "Maybe I'll get one for myself if this works the way you say it does. In the morning it drives my humans crazy when I bark at the squirrels in my back yard!" Nestlee already had the electricity plugged in, so she flipped the switch to the ON position. "It's as easy as a flip of the switch!" declared Nestlee proudly. "Now we can get back to our tea party uninterrupted." "Sank goodnesh!" said Dory gratefully as she chewed another cookie. "Dory, take a sip of tea dear - you're slurring your words!" "OK, Alpa. pweeze pour." answered Dory thickly. None of the Ladies noticed the volume control knob on the back of the Rodent Remover as they sipped tea and enjoyed the warm August breezes through the flowers...... PART SIX 'DING dong' rang the
doorbell again. "Now, who in the world could THAT
be?" asked Nestlee. "I'll Dory started eating faster and nervously looked at the door and then at Alpha...... "DORY!" said Alpha sternly. "Do you have anything to do with an extra guest at the Tea Party?" "Who, me?" asked Dory innocently. "Why would I have any knowledge of a gentleman caller at the door?" "I KNEW IT! I just knew it. We can't go ANYWHERE and not have you go and invite Glow. He always brings those brandied fruits he makes himself, and you KNOW they always stick to my teeth!" "But, Alpha, he's such a nice guy......he's such a sweetie and I like his brandied fruits....." pleaded Dory. "Now shush up - here they come." In breezed Nestlee followed by a sheepishly grinning, and displaying the nicest pair of CUP EARS anyone could have seen, Glow Bowman. "Ah, hello, Ladies. And hello Alpha and my dear dear Dory, so nice to see you once again. And many thanks to our lovely hostess looking lovelier and lovelier every time I see her. I hope my sudden appearance at the festivities is all right with the three of you." ''well, maybe with TWO of us' muttered Alpha under her breath. Dory kicked Alpha under the tea table. "Be polite, Alpha" hissed Dory. "Let's see what Glow brought today - Glow my friend, did you bring us your famous sweet treat?" "I did indeed, my friend. Here they are! I made a double batch this week because I know how much you appreciate them." Glow reached into his bag and took out a huge tin of brandied fruits. "Please sit down, Glow and I'll get another cup and refill the biscuit tray," invited Nestlee. "Thank you lovely lady." said Glow bowing deeply. I shall sit and entertain these two lovely ladies while you are away. Now don't be too long........" called Glow in his most charming manner as Nestlee trotted into the house. "Now, Ladies, help yourselves!" All the while the Rodent Remover was busily humming in the flower bed, with not a squirrel to be seen or smelled. Pearl still lurked in the shadows of the early afternoon, inching closer to the machine. She was doubly pleased to see Glow in attendance at the Tea Party. "Goody" thought Pearl. '"More fun for me now. Glow has VERY sensitive ears. His 'CUP EARS' can hear EVERYTHING - except MOI of course. Let's see how he likes THIS!" Pearl found the volume knob on the back of the Rodent Remover. She turned it up a notch and waited..... PART SEVEN "Here I am!" called Nestlee as she came back to the garden with a fresh plate of biscuits. "Thanks, Nestlee" said Dory. "I was getting hungry." "I don't see how" sniped Alpha, "You've already eaten most of the last plate of cookies. Aren't you on a diet or something?" "Ladies, now now. We are here for some pleasant conversation and camaraderie." calmed Glow. "Do you hear anything.........unusual?" "What do you mean, dear?" asked Nestlee and Dory munched on fresh biscuits and brandied fruits. "I don't hear anything, Glow. Flatten your ears, maybe they are catching the wind," suggested Alpha helpfully. Glow took the suggestion, and flattened his ears beside his head. Pearl giggled and turned the volume up a notch more. "I still hear something." declared Glow. Do you have a high voltage wire somewhere close by?" "I don't know, Glow. Maybe after the Tea Party is finished I'll call the electric company and have them check for me. Right now, though, let's just visit." The Ladies chattered away about this and that. Pearl turned the volume of the Rodent Remover up even more until it was set at three-quarters volume. Glow twisted in his seat back and forth, obvious discomfort on his gray face. "I'm sorry, Ladies, but I really MUST investigate this sound. I know my hearing is MOST sensitive, but you have GOT to be able to hear this sound!" "Well, if Dory would stop chewing in my ear for a moment, I might be able to hear something other than slurping...." complained Alpha.
"Now, now Ladies, " calmed Glow, "Let's just figure this out as a team and we can go on with the fun. I will tilt my Cup Ears this way and that until I hone in on the sound. Follow me!" Pearl waited until all the dogs got up to search, then she turned the volume on the Rodent remover down to low and crept back into the shadows to wait. "Hmmmm.....that's odd," said Glow, puzzled. "I thought I was so close and now the sound is gone." "Good!" said Dory. "Let's eat!" PART EIGHT "I have a better idea!" exclaimed Glow. "Let's all sing! My sister and I are going to be in an opera at the end of the month, and I'd like to demonstrate some of our part. Now, I'll need help. Who can sing Carmen?" "CARMEN??? I LOVE CARMEN!" shouted Nestlee. "I just can't sing is all. I'll be the audience so I don't ruin the show." "How about you, Dory dear? Can you sing some of Carmen with me?" "I dond fink sho....not wif my mouf foo of peenud budda" answered Dory, chewing and drooling on her feather boa. "That leaves me, Glow, and I'm afraid I'm not much of a singer, either." said Alpha matter of factly. "Why don't we turn a CD on and you can sing along when your part comes. Nestlee, do you have a portable CD player we can bring out here?" "Great idea, Alpha. I can go and get the one in the kitchen. Does it sound good to you, Glow?" "Well well. Sounds wonderful to me! I'll just drink some tea with lemon to clear my throat while I wait for you to set up the CD player," agreed Glow. "MEmememememememeeeeeeee......OoooooOOOOOOooooooooOOOOOOOo" vocalized Glow. "AaaaaHahAHahAHahAH.......doemsolmedo.....doemsolmedooooooooo.....doDOdoDOdo.......ahHEM......ack ackak. ahHEM" Nestlee scurried in and out of the house setting up the portable CD player with an extension cord. She found the CD of the opera Carmen. Pearl watched and planned her next trick from the shadows. Her tail twitched. Her whiskers flicked with pleasure. "There, Glow! Tell me when to turn it on!" Nestlee looked excitedly at Glow. "Ladies and gentlem.......ahem.......LADIES. I present...............CARMEN!" Glow nodded at Nestlee and she pressed the start button. Music flowed out of the speakers into the warmth and fresh breeze of the afternoon sun. Glow swayed and kept time with his front left foot. His tail swished the grass as it wagged along with the string section. Pearl grinned and twitched her tail faster and faster as she watched Glow's tail. Glow closed his eyes. The Ladies swayed with Glow, rapture on their faces. Dory stopped chewing to watch Glow. Nestlee stopped breathing. Alpha took a deep breath and sighed. Glow looked magnificent as he opened his mouth to sing the first passage. Pearl flew through the air onto Glow's tail and grabbed tight as she could, using her sharp claws and screeched her loudest screech. " MEEEEORRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrEEEeeeeeeooooooooowwwwwwwww" "ARRRRRRGghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!" screamed Glow. He jumped four feet up, whipped around, forgetting Carmen and shouted.... "A CAT!!!!! Chase it!!!!!!! He ran after Pearl who was already way in the lead. Dory jumped up and joined in the chase, losing her hat in the wind and tripping on her feather boa. Alpha whooped a loud whoop and threw off her pearls and bonnet to join the fun. Nestlee, looking a bit confused at the sudden change in events, shook her golden fur, her hat and pearls falling off, and ran after the 'Chase the Cat Parade'. Around and around the garden shed went the parade. Around and around the tea table went all the dogs, knocking everything up in the air and down into the grass. Around and around the house the dogs chased the cat. Around and around they all flew until Glow suddenly stopped short, Dory, Alpha and Nestlee crashing into him one by one until they were all in a panting heap. "Anybody see a cat?" asked Glow, breathing hard, his tongue hanging out. "What cat?" asked Alpha looking around his shoulder, trying to gather her sense of decorum. "I thought you said COOKIES", said Dory looking sadly past Alpha and Glow at the shambles of a Tea Party. "Well, I've never had so much fun at a Tea Party in all my life, no matter WHAT we were chasing!" laughed Nestlee.
"I'm with you, Glow-man!" yipped Dory with glee. "Me, too" agreed Alpha. "Last one in the pool is a CAT!" yelled Nestlee and she ran for the water closely followed by the three happy Labradogs.......Pearl sat smiling in a tree, licking her toes...... the end
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One
day in late August Nestlee decided to have a tea party. It would be in the
garden next to the little garden shed. The flowers were all in bloom, and
would make a lovely backdrop for her Great Grandmother's hummingbird tea set.
"Who
indeed?" meowred Pearl, the white kitty who lived next
door....."Dogs just don't get it - TEA PARTIES????? So passé.......hum
drum......I wonder how I can make this little gathering more exciting?"
she mused as she rolled on her back in the green grass, watching the butterflies
gathering nectar from the flowers.
"HElloooooo,
Alpha my good friend!" Kiss kiss, wiggle wiggle, both Nestlee and
Alpha greeted each other.
gushed Alpha as they passed through the
kitchen into the garden.
"Here
we are!", called Nestlee to Alpha who had already poured three cups of
sweet tea.
Having Tea and biscuits. She crept through the flower bed behind the
dogs. On silent feet she got closer and closer to Dory Delight who was
enjoying a scrumptious carrot cookie.
"And
then I told that little Poodle, Mitzy, the one down the street, you know......I
told her that I just couldn't STAND
the new girl who does my nails - always popping her bubble gum and never
offering me ONE BIT!" chattered Nestlee.
biscuits and she goes all funny!"
be right back."
"I'm nad swurbing!" said
Dory, hurt feelings showing on her full face.
"Ladies!
You are the most fun Ladies I have ever had the pleasure of entertaining
with. What do you say we scrap the singing and lemon tea and brandied
fruits and go jump in the pool for a SWIM!" shouted
Glow happily.