The Looking Glass
by Jennifer Johnston
Qing Ming's glade in Dog World (all snapshots courtesy of Tasom Benim)
And they called it puppy love
Oh I guess they'll never know
How a young heart really feels
And why I love her so.
Singer-songwriter-actor-performer Paul Anka (Diana, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, Lonely Boy, the theme for The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, the lyrics for Frank Sinatra's mega-hit My Way, and others) wrote those lines in 1960, according to legend as a result of his break-up with Annette Funicello of The Mickey Mouse Club and Beach Blanket fame.
When I told Nicki this past week that I would have something new to post by today, I had a couple of potential topics kicking around in my head. However, over the last few days there have been some momentous occurrences in my dear Dog World (DW), of which I've written before ... and I ran out of time to develop possibly weightier subjects ... so I am going to share with you the latest news in the continuing saga of Qing Ming, his beloved Gracie, and their DW Friends. If you are not interested in the topic, you'll just have to wait for the next post. Sorry about that.....
Before I go on with the story, I want to mention that I've included here pictures not only of Qing Ming's magical, mystical DW domain (which has changed somewhat ... the addition of gifts of a hot air balloon, a bridge, and a few other things ... since I last published it). But I'm also showing you pictures of some other DW domiciles to give an idea of the great differences which may exist from yard to glade to beach to underseascape. (Bear in mind, as I've mentioned before, that various items in the DW vignettes move, flutter, chime and "do" other things, when you see them in situ.)
As I've mentioned before, each person has the opportunity to decorate their "yard" as they see fit ... with items from the DW Store, and/or gifts given by friends ... so except for some newbies or those who abandon their virtual pet early and only have the "starter package," none of the yards is identical. One of the fun things about visiting other yards in DW is to see the wonderfully creative settings that have been fashioned for the DW denizens. And in the process of visiting, and gifting, you earn points which apply toward saving more dogs. Our DW group is coming up on having saved 400 dogs ... and that is a good thing. But I digress ... and now back to Qing Ming and Gracie and their friends....
The beachfront abode of Tasom's Robinson, Qing Ming's best friend
Qing Ming and his darlin' Gracie (the "daughter" of my friend Robin Wissinger) have been smitten almost since they first met not quite two months ago. It was indeed puppy love at first sight ... and they have been inseparable ever since! Qing Ming (bless his gallant artistic little soul) fell paw over heels, and has composed innumerable sonnets and songs to sing to Gracie while accompanying himself on his little lute (difficult for his little paws to pluck sometimes, but he is determined).
He has serenaded Gracie under her window many a night, and taken her on picnics and strolls along the stream ... always chaperoned of course by Chaya (our enchanted being in the persona of a white cat, in Qing Ming's picture) and/or by Robin's Mr. O, that wise old owl. Occasionally Pablo (our peacock, named after Picasso) goes along to observe as well. The romance progressed in puppy time, and there were slumber parties (carefully segregated as to gender and supervised of course) and 4th of July parties ... and Robin and I knew that one day an announcement would be forthcoming in good and sufficient time.
Well, as often happens in real life, good and sufficient time failed to deal with a case of raging teenage puppy hormones. Last Friday Qing Ming left our yard in his balloon without Chaya as escort, carrying his little lute, and Pablo heard him muttering something about going over to Gracie's and taking her to "watch the submarine races." (I think most of us have been there ... grin....) When Pablo relayed this news to me (he can be a bit slow because he tends to become mesmerized by raising and lowering his tail), I immediately sent Chaya in hot pursuit and contacted Robin ... but alas!!! Gracie too was missing from her yard!
We immediately put out an APB (All Points Bulletin) through the Shout Out feature of DW, asking everyone to please keep an eye out for the runaways and report their whereabouts. We received many good tips and sightings from all over the U.S. and the world (that magic balloon can really move!). Doris' Brandy said they stopped briefly in Cleveland, someone else saw them in Arizona, there were several sightings in Europe ... oh where could they be???? (Visualize anguished wringing of hands by Robin and me....)
At last a true intrepid hero, the shining knight Sir Luke Reeves in Australia and his trusty dog Mystique emerged!!! Luke immediately stripped his DW yard (which means of course he'd need to put it back together later ... what a selfless and gallant gesture!) and sent Mystique aloft in her magic flying machine, along with a phalanx of the Bluebird Patrol, to search for Gracie and Qing Ming! And lo and behold, they were soon found and Luke and Mystique forthwith returned the "kids" to their homes. (Guinevere the Druid Goddess has conferred the Order of the Triple Goddess Garter upon Sir Luke for his brave and meritorious service, and has also granted him her favor to wear upon his person at all times.)
After receiving their just chastisement for their rash act, Qing Ming and Gracie eloquently pleaded their case to their moms ... and so, after due consideration of their youth (and those raging hormones!), Robin has given Gracie's paw in marriage to her stubborn little suitor Qing Ming, and the wedding is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, in Robin's and Gracie's yard in DW, which Robin has already prepared for the festivities, as you can see from the picture!
Gracie's yard, prepared by Robin last night for the ceremony
Qing Ming has bought his little tux (we're still trying to decide about a top hat!) and Gracie, like all brides, is frantically searching for the perfect dress for her big day!
The wedding party will include, among others, Qing Ming's best friend Robinson (whose yard is also pictured here, courtesy of his dad Tasom) as Best Pup; Doris' Brandy as Maid of Honor; Jules' (Sir Luke's other half) Zeus as groomsman; and the brave Mystique as a bridesmaid. There may be a few more additions before the actual date ... and I have it on good authority that the entertainment at the reception following the ceremony will include performances by Celine Doggone and Andrea Pupcelli (sigh!)....
Sir Luke is also hosting an engagement party for the couple in Australia on Saturday, July 18 ... with entertainment and activities to be announced (along with further wedding details) in Shout Outs and postings on DW, and updates to the blog. All of Qing Ming's and Gracie's friends ... and kind passersby ... are invited to attend.... The enchanted Chaya (who is also performing the ceremony) will magically disrupt the space/time continuum so that friends from all over the world (and different time zones!) can all attend at the same time!
Qing Ming and Gracie were visited yesterday by literally hundreds of their friends from across the globe, who left good wishes and engagement and wedding gifts, and our greenhouses and fridges literally runneth over! Our friend Bonny also threw an impromptu celebratory soiree for them, with champagne and tea for the adults and sparkling apple juice for the pups!
This whole saga played out in DW, with postings by me and Robin and Luke and so many others ... and it was such fun!!! Among the miracles of this "modern age" and its instant communications, at various times over the past couple of days I have found myself "chatting" or Inbox messaging with several people simultaneously all over the country and the world, including of course Cleveland, North Carolina, Arizona, Norway, Germany, Finland and Australia! What fun!!! (If a bit taxing to switch back and forth among personalities and different languages!)
The undersea dreamscape of Dana's Lucky, good friend of Qing Ming and Gracie
Several of us (including our own Sheila) had quite a thread going about some of the "doings" on my Profile page on FB last night, which remains "up" if anyone is interested, though I must caution that it gets a little "wiggy" at times, so the faint of heart should be warned.... (I swear I was only "drinking" the virtual drinks passed to me by my generous friends.... Cross my heart....)
And so, having now covered my obligations to the blog, I now return to FB and DW to continue the various dialogues and plans for the coming nuptials ... thinking all the while that it is probably criminal in some states (!) to have so much fun ... and have the added bonus of helping helpless, homeless dogs who don't live in pretty yards (as is Qing Ming's stated mission).
Y'all come!!! No gifts necessary.... (grin) And let's hear it for young love ... and old love ... and just pure unconditional love, in its many forms and incarnations....
)O(
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