This is Sheriff Peanut Butter Brickle. When at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Or in our case, if at first you don’t succeed, fail and fail again. And then laugh about it. Or change your plan.
When we went to the Biltmore Estate yesterday, Deputy Digby and I had a plan. We were going to try and convince them that they should let us park the Big Blue Treat Wagon RV in there. We put on our best behavior. Especially Digby.
He didn’t RSVPee on as many things as usual…although the persons did not give him a chance to. Not as many persons tried to run from us as usual, and we were the picture of happiness as we got to tour the grounds, look at flowers and imagine how life would be if only we could live here.
I knew we had to make our goal of parking the Big Blue Treat Wagon RV inside to happen.
I imagined it. I could wake up every morning in the RV which would be parked in the Biltmore and look at myself in the biggest mirror there ever was. I would suggest that we park next to that big mirror so that when I looked out the window of the RV, it was right there. An agreement would have been made to honor their “no dogs allowed” policy in the house. So when we were ready for our walk outside, Digby and I would start up the RV and park just outside the door. Many tourists would wonder why an RV would be inside, and why two dogs were driving it, and obviously, they would be jealous about that. They would want to park their cars in there, and let their dogs drive. Well, the Biltmore would have to say no. You see, this isn’t a car lot or RV storage. No. Its just for two dogs with a dream. Two dogs who think that everyone deserves to live like this.
You see, Digby and I thought about our plan. We were getting our proposal ready for the folks at the Biltmore. I am not sure they call themselves folks though. Maybe that is too common. Maybe they call themselves the folks. Nonetheless, a good, well thought out proposal can sway anyone. And so can the thought of a Big Blue Treat Wagon gliding through those massive front doors of the Biltmore. Can you imagine? Each day, there the RV would be. The doors would open and she would drive inside. The smoke and the dirt and the dog hair would create such an atmosphere of drama that people would come from far and wide to watch this.
And I would even show my most famous trick. The paw lifter.
The Biltmore wouldn’t need any more art exhibits or productions. No, this would be an ongoing show that would sell out every day. In fact, the main part of the show, Driving With Digby would be a chance for persons to imagine days of old when dogs did all the driving. Because that is how it used to be. I read about that. Somewhere.
At the end of each day, the Big Blue Treat Wagon would make one last circle around the front of the Biltmore. No, people would not be lined up on the lawn trying to get that picture of a perfect house. But a selfie with the Big Blue Treat Wagon would be the rage. In the gift shops, there would be Big Blue Treat Wagon shirts and Big Blue Treat Wagon candy and Big Blue Treat Wagon postcards. “I Saw The Big Blue Treat Wagon in Asheville, North Carolina” would be what it said. Digby and I would make appearances outside and sign pawtographs and Cedric, the dog that used to live at the Biltmore would have been proud. Dogs finally had taken over the Biltmore.
And the world would be as it should. Why? Because now..when we had proven our ability to run a tourist attraction like the Biltmore, our next proposal item would be addressed. There would be enough room to invite all the animals that needed homes inside. And then…then…then our mission would have been accomplished. To “Make Rescues The Breed Of Choice” would be realized. And finally, the world would see that all animals should be treated like royalty.
I would make the declaration to all of the animals waiting outside…”Come on in everyone. Welcome home.”
A goal without a plan is just a wish, you see. Our plan and our proposal may seem farfetched to some..but to us…nothing is impossible. Probably, the persons that built the Biltmore so long ago would never have imagined what it is today. And maybe, we can’t imagine what good things are still to be accomplished for all of the homeless animals out there. If we keep trying..keep planning…and don’t RSVPee on things we shouldn’t, it can happen. Never give up. If you have a goal, keep working towards it. Keep walking towards it. If you can run, run. If you can bring an RV into a mansion, by all means, try that too. But never let anyone tell you it’s impossible. The truth is, if you want to do something, well, you do it. You don’t wait till you are near the end of your years to talk about something you wish you would have done. If you had really wanted to do it, you would have tried.
So Biltmore? How about it? Can we come on in? I will even give the Big Blue Treat Wagon a bath beforehand. But I can’t do anything about the dog hair.
Although some might look at the Biltmore and be jealous of what they don’t have, I look at it as an inspiration. To be beautiful, to add to the beauty of the world around you is a wonderful thing. And then, to invite others to be inspired by your beauty? Yes, I do that everyday. But this place lets the world know that anything is possible. This place lets you remember what times were like long ago in simpler times and that true beauty can last forever and make an impression on many hearts. Now it’s your turn to do the same.
-Sheriff Peanut Butter Brickle
Thank you to the Biltmore for inviting us over! We had a wonderful time, and we highly recommend visiting with your dog if you are in the Asheville, North Carolina area. It is an experience that you won’t soon forget.
The Biltmore’s Pet Policy? “The grounds are perfect for walking your pets, but please keep them securely leashed at all times. Pets (except service dogs) are not allowed in any building. Pets are allowed on the outdoor patios of Bistro, Cedric’s Tavern, and Village Hotel, but patio seating should be requested from the host or hostess inside first. All pets must be leashed on estate grounds for their own safety as well as the comfort of our other guests. Please be courteous of others and pick up after your pet.”
A very limited number of outdoor, unattended pet kennels are available at Biltmore. They are self-service and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in using a kennel, please see a parking host for kennel information upon arrival on the estate.”
