|
When
we lived in Paris, one of the most charming aspects of the antiques
business was seeing the dealers with their dogs. The
business required long hours in a shop and things could get lonely
between customers. So what better companion than a pooch? Most
were small dogs, frequently Poodles, and they all seemed uncommonly
smart and friendly, just like their owners.
True to that tradition,
M. Markley Antiques needed a dog too and, for the last ten years,
Mischa has filled that role with gusto. Named after Mikhail
("Mischa") Baryshnikov, whose agility, grace, and
leaping abilities he shares, our Mischa enjoys living in a home
filled with antiques but never has any accidents involving
them.
Although Mischa was not born into the antiques business,
he got there as soon as he could.
When a young pup looking for a home, he was taken by his owner
to her job at our internet service provider, where Michael happened by one
day and Mischa promptly fell asleep in his lap. It was love at first
sight. Soon, Mischa was home with us and fulfilling
his genetic role of protector, especially when cats, armadillos,
or turtles happen by the office window from which he surveys his
domain.
Although he looks like a Poodle, Mischa is a Schnoodle
(Poodle-Schnauzer hybrid), combining the best of his French and
German heritage. His favorite things include long walkies on
the nature paths in the
Woodlands, visiting with his pals Putter, Buster, Little Jake, Pearl,
Daisy, Minnie, and Sid, snoozing in Meril's lap while listening to music of his
preferred composers (Rameau and Telemann), and eating any kind
of cheese but preferably Neal's Yard Colston Bassett Stilton.
|
Margaux
is the newest addition to the M. Markley Antiques Team and came to us thanks to two
serendipitous encounters. The first
involved Mischa, who was sprayed by a skunk in the pre-dawn hours one morning
as he ventured off the back deck to begin his morning toilette. While visiting the groomer's to seek out a
replacement for Mischa's violet collar that was doused by the skunk, the second
encounter occurred. Michael saw Margaux,
a 3½ year-old apricot Maltese-Poodle mix who was up for adoption after being rescued from
difficult circumstances. It was love at
first sight, just as when he encountered Mischa on a chance visit to our
Internet service provider over a decade ago.
Margaux
has proved a challenge in helping her to overcome the lingering behavioral
problems from her former life. For
example, we learned that she had lived indoors and
had never experienced rain. The first time
we had a light drizzle and took her for a walk,
she was terrified and refused to budge. Since
then, she has been adapting to a host of new experiences.
Having a role at M. Markley Antiques has also
helped her to focus and to adjust to a
stable routine Chez Markley.
Her favorite
toy is a plush carrot (see photo below) that she loves to shake and throw in
the air or to walk around the house with it in her mouth until someone
volunteers for a game of fetch.
With
Margaux's long, silky hair, we think she bears a certain resemblance to the
star of Botticelli's Birth
of Venus. This could help explain Margaux's fondness for the
Italian pieces in the Château des Bois CollectionTM
and her preference for Pecorino Romano cheese
over Gruyère (although peanut butter may be her
ultimate treat of choice).
While
Margaux is still learning the ropes at M. Markley
Antiques, she has proved an intelligent and clever
young lady who is a great addition to the Team and
a faithful companion for Mischa.
|
