That is what assistants are for. Luckily, this assistant will do anything I ask for a piece of cheese.
Nikko was told to "Wait!" while I wrote the names on slips of note card and taped each one around a piece of cheese. She was very excited at the possibilities of a reward. (in fact, she can hear the refrigerator drawer being opened from any room in the house and comes to check if cheese is being removed)
The word,"Stay!" is a bit open-ended for her to take seriously but "Wait" has the connotation of a reward for being patient. (and patience is something she has perfected over nine years of trial and error.
The objects of desire were then placed in her dish. I tried to get most of the names hidden so she could not read them. I saw Nikko looking over my shoulder at the comments to see who had left her compliments and I didn't want her to play favorites.
The magic word for helping herself to goodies is "Itadakimasu". This is a word that is always spoken before taking the first bite. It means, I am about to partake.
Oh no, Nikko, you greedy dog, you have taken two names! And, how cleaver of you, both those names are people who have left you compliments.
Well, give them to me and you can try again. After all, I have only one give-away.
So, here they are ... Cheryl and Rose Marie. I am not going to tell you which is which but now please try again and only pick ONE!
And... the winner is... Cheryl of Cheryl's Teapots 2 Quilting.
So, Rose Marie and all my dear friends, I still love all your comments and support and help. Thank you for making this a very special year. And, if you are not happy with the results, blame the dog. She is very good at accepting blame.
And now ... back to quilting!
Very cute story! Seriously gorgeous assistant! Well done to the winner!
ReplyDeleteThis is the funniest method of picking a giveaway winner that I have seen so far! Kudos to both of you and thanks for the giggles.
ReplyDeleteI love this method of choosing! I'm wondering if I might borrow Nikko at my next giveaway? It by far beats my own method of having my husband pick a number between 1 and... Perhaps I need to just get a dog. I've been asking for one and husband says no. This could be just the excuse I need. :) blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteThat is just too funny! If I put a bowl of cheese on the floor in front of my dog, with pieces of paper on them.. I would have to fight the little weiner dogs off the bowl, and snag whatever piece of paper was left in the bowl.. and then clean up paper out of the back yard..they would not be so well behaved.. not with cheese!!
ReplyDeleteThat's too cute! I love the look of anticipation on Nikko's face. Sandy (quiltincats)
ReplyDeleteLove it! It's always good to leave the big decisions to the "help" isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThis is so funny Julie! Nikko is cute as can be too. I love how dogs get such funny facial expressions. And now you have cheese snacks for Nikko cut for the next while! Congratulations to Cheryl for her win.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to watch Nikko pick the winner! Congrats to Cheryl :)
ReplyDeleteWell at least it wasn't Mr Random Number Generator who ignored me this time. lol
ReplyDeleteI tried that with my cats, but it ended up a mess, lol.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Cheryl!
Debbie
Congratulations, Cheryl! Nikko was such a good girl for helping choose the winner! My dog would have eaten all of the cheese AND the names! He can't be trusted near food at all! And I LOVE the tray you have under Nikko's dish. That is VERY clever!
ReplyDelete^..^
Nikko, Thank you for picking me. You deserve an extra piece of cheese for that. What a good girl you are. If you were closer, I'd scratch you behind the ears and give you a belly rub. I'll give your scratches and rubs to my doggies, and hope that they can pass them on to you.
ReplyDeletecongrats to the winner and Nikko what a fun time it seems you had!
ReplyDeleteKathie
Is Nikko bilingual? Seems to be an unusually intelligent dog.
ReplyDeleteDarn .... came that close! Oh well ... Nikko, you are still a sweet doggie.
ReplyDelete