It has been a quiet week down on the Strand. The camel has even stayed out of my way.

If it was not for the band 'Shaken Not Stirred” lifting the roof off my kennel on Sunday, it would have been a mundane week indeed.
Damn they were good, had my paws shaking. I spent the afternoon looking for a bitch or two to shake my booty with. The good news for those who missed out is that they, like the good Governor of California, will be back. Easter I hope.
Anyway, let's talk about me. Being the smart animal I am, and can Google, I have been surfing the ‘net' in my spare time. Here is an interesting story I found recently:
An young lad in India was married off to a dog by villagers who said it would stop him being killed by wild animals. The tribe of 150 performed the ritual after the boy, who is younger than two, grew a tooth. The Munda tribe believes that's a bad omen and makes them prone to attacks by tigers.
Well, please! If a bloody large dog in striped pyjamas came out of the mud flats at Te Puna after some of the two year old two-leggers I know, hell good luck to him! You can be sure he would not have to worry about me, married or not, things like this were not in any pre-nuptial agreement I saw.
And in other news:
'The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.” – Anonymous
'Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.” – Robert A Heilein
'If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven and very very few two-leggers will.” – James Thurber
Moving on to my mate Johnny the Aussie Butcher, who I am sure has a story or two to tell, has chicken on special this week, so get in and see him quick.

'Chicken thigh casserole'

Ingredients
3 cups cooked, chopped chicken thighs
3 cups cooked wild rice (1 cup uncooked), cooked according to package directions
1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli cuts, thawed and drained
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup slivered almonds

Directions
Preheat oven to 180C. In a buttered casserole dish combine chicken, cooked rice and broccoli. In a saucepan melt butter over medium high heat. Stir in onions and cook for 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Whisk in milk and return to a simmer. When sauce has thickened, pour over mixture in casserole dish. Sprinkle with parmesan and almonds and bake for 30 minutes. (Serves 4)

'Scotch and soda'

Ingredients
1 oz Scotch whisky
½ oz orange juice
½ oz lemon juice
Soda water

Directions
Pour whisky, orange juice and lemon juice into a tall glass and stir. Add soda water to taste. Garnish with a slice of orange.

Well that's all the rambling we have space for this week…And where has all the sunshine and warmth gone? I am going to have to search for my cardie soon. The boss kicked the door step in the dark the other morning before taking me for my morning walk, muttering 'hell it was light the other day at this time!”

Take care all, see you next week.