Mad Dogs and Arias

Seattle's favorite octogenarian best friends find their way to an outdoor opera, courtesy of Rose's niece

Dawn picked up her kitchen wall telephone and dialed Rose’s number. She knew the number well from dialing it so often. She smiled at her recollection of the years of friendship as the phone rang at her best friend Rose’s house. 

“Ye-llo dearest Dawnie,” Rose trilled. “Are you getting ready for our big day today?” 

“Yes, I am, Rose. But I’m stumped about what to wear to an outdoor opera in October. We’re going to be cold.”   

“I think this is a fancy venue and they don’t want their attendees to be uncomfortable at all. They probably have those big lamp-things that provide heat. We’ll be well taken care of. I’m sure my niece saw to that when she made all the arrangements for us. Can you believe we’re going to ride in a limo all the way to Poulsbo?” 

“I’m excited about the limo. Maybe I’ll just stay in the car all day. I’m sure it’ll be warm in there,” Dawn offered. 

The girls reviewed the limo pick-up times and said goodbye.   The driver collected the women and swept them out into the crisp Northwest day. The ferry ride was full of the sights and sounds of Puget Sound. The girls were delighted as they drove through the verdant pastures of the peninsula. 

“Rose, we’re not in Seattle anymore,” Dawn mused as they cruised. A grand white tent with the words, ‘Outdoor Opera’ welcomed the limousine carrying our heroines. Boy, Deidre was right when she said there’d be a lot of rich people hanging around. 

“Sheesh, Dawn. This is ‘fan-cee.’" 

“I know,” Dawn replied. “I hope we’re dressed appropriately. Glad I wore my dress up coat.” 

As they promenaded around enjoying the fancy finger food and tea that was offered, they saw people walking with their dogs on a leash. 

“Hmmm. Will you look at that, Rose?  People brought their dogs to enjoy the opera. Those must be very intelligent and sophisticated dogs!” Both ladies had a good laugh at that thought and found their way to the seat numbers indicated on the tickets. 

“First class, huh Dawnie? These seats are great. And look at those cute little doggies down the row from us. You know, I do think they look smarter than your average dog. Maybe even smarter that their owners.” 

The laughter had to be cut short because the lights in the tent flickered and the music began. 

Oh, such beauty. Now the girls were worried that their first foray into opera would be a flop because the music wasn’t suited to their tastes. But this Verdi was stupendous, tremendous and Italian! Rose and Dawn were both swaying to the refrains when a large woman stepped onto the stage and set about bringing down the house with her incredible voice. The tinkling of the notes floated around her head and flew into the audience. It was a joy to listen. 

Just then, a Yorkshire Terrier escapee came racing down the row of seats with no leash. A terrified Terrier owner lurched forward to grab the bundle of fluff, just missed and ended up on the floor. The diva on stage continued her aria without missing a beat. A black Pug was running for his life from the Yorkshire ‘Terror’ and ambushed a few people near Rose and Dawn. A yowl went up from the Pug that rivalled the high C note being sung by the opera diva. A tussle ensued and the Pug went streaking away, screaming in doggie pain with the Yorkie hanging from his left leg. By this time, the audience was in a state of chaos with dog parents running willy nilly trying to capture the errant animals—parents hollering, dogs snarling, chairs falling and the diva finishing her aria. 

Rose and Dawn were both horrified and entertained by the festivities. They were able to keep out of the way of the fighting pups and thoroughly enjoyed the antics of the dog owners, who finally captured the ferocious beast and forced open the Yorkie’s jaws to remove her from the leg of the terrified Pug. 

Sighs of relief could be heard, and the diva could be seen looking puzzled as she walked off the stage to spotty applause.

 Dawn looked at Rose and said, “You know Rose, this is the most entertaining opera I’ve ever attended.”

Diana Couture's series, The Ongoing, Life-Affirming Adventures of Rose and Dawn, was inspired by Diana Couture’s aunt and her aunt’s best friend. This colorful column was born when she set about telling these dear octogenarians’ true-life experiences. Rose and Dawn remain perennial 80-somethings to this day. Diana's entertaining Italian family continues to inspire her to write; the stories literally come from what happens to Diana, her friends and family.