Some days are full of exciting adventures and to that end, what a day Saturday turned out to be !!

Having received an invite to dinner Chez Mike and Liz we were really looking forward to an evening out and then came the strict instructions to "not bring anything". In my world how difficult is that ?? I spent the morning grappling with the idea of following instructions and not bringing anything but secretly still trying to find a loophole that would allow me to, well, be me.

Anyhow, turns out this wonderful couple are the proud parents of Jack and Fleur, two massively beautiful (and beautifully massive) Newfoundland dogs and voila.. there was my loophole !! We could bring something for the pooches couldn't we ? And what pooch doesn't love "a treat?". But where does one get dog treats???? But, at The Dog Bakery of course.

So Dave and I headed out to Dartmouth Crossing, the quaint shop easy to find, a place totally dedicated to fine cuisine for four legged creatures. We walked in our eyes immediately glazed over as we were faced with the glass showcase featuring Dino Bones (large bone shaped cookies with the ends dipped in carob) perfect for the Dino-type sized dogs, Ruffles (truffles that will likely make your canine go ruff, ruff, ruff - I swear that's what the card read), many more tarts and cupcakes and bagles and well, the piece de resistance ? Birthday cakes. All made from scratch, possibly organic (I forget, I was too busy drooling), no sugar, animal fats, artificial preservatives or animal by products added and well. We could've walked out of there with one of each, but, well... practiced a bit of restraint, lol.

Jack and Fleur greeted us with excited slurps and well I think they they could smell the treats before they even smelled us, and the ensuing mayhem and pandemonium had us covered in wet slobbery welcome kisses but the parents smartly intervened with "did you bring treats for them ?"... Man, can't get away with anything round here !!

On the human side of things, Dave and I so enjoyed a fantastic evening and what a feast they prepared !! In honour of our future travels they arrived with an assortment of Mediterranean appetizers (from Bouillabaise to squid stuffed with shrimp, tomatoes and Bocconcini with balsamic vinegar to die for, stuffed grape leaves, pastry tarts with lamb and some sort of apple sauce and more). That was followed by a switch to the Caribbean... dishes of braised oxtail, and curried goat and black beans and rice and beans and jerk chicken and fried plantains and spicy shrimp and more).

Best part was that I was able to enjoy a glass of wine while Liz created and cheffed and we yakked about our mutual love of food (did I mention she's a chef and food critic?), while the boys talked "shop" (and yes, Dave has yet to remember he's retired), and the two gentle giants snored away (too many treats perhaps?) We rolled home way past our bedtime.

Such an excellent time, such excellent hosts, such excellent food, such good laughs, such good people, and truly, such great new friends !!

PHOTO : the showcase of treats found at The Dog Bakery. Wow. A couple more pictures of Jack and Fleur can be found in our photo gallery.