It was a few days before Christmas, but what a merry day was had by all who came along to the party at Animal Antics last Sunday.

It was extremely lucky for a few of you other canines that attended, as I was held up by the ‘pupparazzi' and therefore missed the first serving of food. This to me is the worst travesty that can occur and a message to all you camera-happy people out there – I have to eat first, then maybe I will smile. It never works the other way around. As it was, I had to plough my way roughly through the throngs, dragging poor Sarah behind me as the smell of the sizzling sausages was too much. At times like this, even for a civilised urban creature like me, manners are irrelevant.
Well after much barking and carrying on, I got what I deserved, the old hot sausage.
Thanks to all you good people at Animal Antics for a corker day, the only other little bump was bringing the toys I was given by Santa back to The Strand.
The Fraulien was obviously a little upset in getting left behind as it took her at the most two hours to rip one of the toys apart and destroy the noise making device inside it. What a mess – have to hand it to her though, she is smarter than the average woofer, not including me, as NOBODY can seek out anything edible better than I.
Now on to something a little interesting the boss has brought to my attention – that our disarmament Minister, (is there a dislegament one as well?) Georgina te Heuheu is heading to Colombia to take part in a Global Summit on landmines. Now I reckon the boss should have been asked to accompany her as he has been negotiating his way around my landmines in the backyard for years, and as such, is the man for the job.
Even in the dead of night his vision is sensational, either that, or his sense of smell is truly phenomenal. Now I reckon the boss and Georgina can save a few taxpayer dollars here and jump across a couple of borders and rescue Doctor Ropata, as 'Shorty Street” has never been the same since he left.
And speaking of turkeys, them and the hams are disappearing out the front door of my best mate Johnny the Aussie butchers shop in Gate Pa. For all you good folk out there, and I say this every year around this time, Johnny's hams are the best, so make sure you get in and see him for something succulent.

'Tangerine beef stir fry'

Ingredients
2-3 tangerines
¼ cup cooking sherry
2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
2 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp light soy sauce
1 kg stir-fry beef
5 tsp olive oil
Broccoli flowerets
1 medium red pepper, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated

Method
Zest one tangerine and set aside. Juice tangerines to equal ½ cup juice. Stir in sherry and hoisin sauce, set aside. In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch, soy sauce and steak.
In a non-stick skillet, heat 1 tsp oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add broccoli, red pepper and ginger to skillet. Cook, stirring frequently until vegetables are tender and crisp, about three minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
In the same skillet, heat 2 tsp oil. Add half the beef and stir fry until lightly browned, about two minutes. Transfer to bowl with the broccoli mixture. Repeat with remaining 2 tsp oil and beef.
Add juice mixture to skillet and bring to a boil. Boil one minute then return vegetables and beef to the skillet to heat through.
Serve with rice. Serves 4.

'Orange Crush'

Ingredients
1.5 oz vodka
¾ oz triple sec
Orange juice

Method
Combine vodka and triple sec in an old fashioned glass filled with ice, fill with orange juice and stir.
Well that's all for me this week, and remember to keep it cool, till after school – hell I have been watching a little too much television.
See y'all and a final word of warning – please wear shoes in the backyard.