The Restoration of Exuberant Puppitude

[READER]( [Food & Drink]( The other day I told the vet that from time to time, my little pit bull has been aggressively licking her “private parts,” followed by dervish-like tail-chasing spasms. None of the dog’s “parts” are “private,” of course. She lets it all hang out, like any well-adjusted canine, comfortable (except for the itching) in her own coat. But for some reason I got all shy about it on the phone with this new doctor who I’ve yet to meet in person. This is an animal who will not be body shamed. One cool summer day in front of a Michigan hot dog shop, she propellered her tail with outsized excitement when a little tyke appreciatively thumped her flank and observed, “She’s a thick one.” (Somebody better cancel that little creep.) Lucy isn’t a thick one anymore. She dropped five pounds in seven weeks after this new doc quickly figured out what the previous one failed to: She has a thyroid imbalance, and her new meds not only dropped her weight to a healthier canine level, but restored a level of exuberant puppitude she hasn’t summoned in years. As for the licking, it’s spring, and pitties are prone to skin allergies any time of year. No shame in that. To paraphrase Jesus, “They who do not lick their own bits (if they’re able), may cast the first stone.” But it doesn’t seem like it’s fun for her. The vet prescribed Benadryl, which is also good for canine anxiety, which come to think, I could probably use too. In any case, if you’re wondering if I asked Lucy if it was OK if I wrote about her public parts this week, I did. She propellered her tail with outsized excitement. [Thommy’s Toddy Shop has your]( [Malayali condiment fix]( A Superkhana International line cook’s pickle and popcorn seasoning side hustle By [Mike Sula]( [@MikeSula]( [Conrad Seipp brews again]( Take a swig of history with the Columbia Bock. By [Joshua Riley]( [@brewdudek3]( [Skylark in limbo]( By [Dmitry Samarov]( [Farmers’ markets keep communities thriving]( By [Rachel Fernandez]( [@fernandezrachel]( [Dhuaan BBQ Company smokes meat Desi-style]( A weekly Pilsen pop-up is moving toward permanence. By [Mike Sula]( [@MikeSula]( 2013 [Stinkbug salsa for the iodine deficient]( By [Mike Sula]( [@MikeSula]( [Issue of March 18 - 31, 2021 Vol. 50, No. 13]( [Download Issue]( (PDF) [View this e-mail as a web page]( [DONATE]( [@chicago_reader]( [/chicagoreader]( [@chicago_reader]( [Chicago Reader on LinkedIn]( [/chicagoreader]( [chicagoreader.com]( [Forward this e-mail to a friend](. Want to change how you receive these e-mails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © 2021 Chicago Reader, All rights reserved. You are receiving this e-mail as an opted-in subscriber via our website, Facebook, or event to one or more of our newsletters, memberships, or e-mail lists. Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader 2930 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 102Chicago, IL 60616 [Add us to your address book](