Monday is menosukhi day - the one in which I go all
sentimental. For a few weeks this means
you are sharing my memories of two darling creatures, Jade Dog MacWoof and
Jasper Cat MacMeow.
So there
it was. The dog arrived. Jet Guinea-pig MacSqueak's eyes nearly popped
out his head. But he was a sturdy soul
and after the initial cascade of squeals he settled back into routine. It took all of about 10 minutes. The new arrival in her turn had no idea what
was going on so decided just to stick to my ankles. Then Jasper wandered down the garden fence,
sauntered really. Well, perhaps
semi-stalked is a better description. His keen and clear eye firmly fixed on
the little red bundle at my feet. At
this point, he was 9 months old and fully in charge. He was also about twice her size. For the time being.
The name
"Jade" had jumped into my head during the pet shop
embarrassment. This made it very
convenient for introductions. Jasper was
his ever cool and suave self. About one
metre away he sat in his royal pose and simply watched her. His face a blank canvas.
Jade
continued to skulk. We all stood there
on the back verandah, sniffing the air, and eyeing each other. I didn't want to move as I had clearly become
her lighthouse already. Better not rock
her boat. It became apparent that Jasper
understood this, so finally he just dropped down into 'the Sphinx' pose. This was the message in unidog that, "hi, I'm a friendly dude and won't bother you, come on over". Jade, despite her meagre 8 weeks was of
course totally conversant with the body language. She went on over.
The bond
was formed. I tell you I am still, after
all this time, stunned at the maturity and awareness of that cat. I've known several in my life, but this
fella...
First he
let her pat his nose with her baby paw.
Then stick her nose in all his various curves. He - a feline of the most supreme order
remember - somehow got that he needed to stick his
nose in at her back hip area (unidog for "I like you and I acknowledge you
as a friend"), which she accepted.
After about 15 minutes of breaking the ice, Jasper got up and loped onto
the grass, looking back to make sure she followed him!
Jade at
first sat back on her puppy behind and just looked hapless. Then Jasper - doglike - dropped down at the front with his backside in the
air and tail up. Unbelievable. (I know this is April First - but cross my
heart, gospel truth, et cetera and so forth.)
He had just said, in unidog, "come play".
nose (close-pawed) when she sent where not supposed to, showed approval when she got it right. This included behaviour towards Brother Jet. Which meant, when they all had their bath, I could leave them on the grass together and know it was happy families.
Jasper
never played with the usual toys. Even
fluffy catnip mice were of no interest.
He liked nothing better than to play with long grass, or chew on a
stick.
Yes you
read that correctly. Jade learned about
sticks from Jasper Cat MacMeow. I kid
you not. (Pastor Goose, Professor of Stickology, are you reading
this??!)
Thus, the
family unit was sealed and settled.
Next week...the human training...and other
antics
(Did you visit Bozo yet? Do go and say Hi to Pastor Goose also - he's a bloke of wisdom!)
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteAn amazing tale beautifully narrated.
Love that pic too!!
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteThank you sir! All the amazement unfolded before me - my job is to do it justice!
Love the Jade dog and Jasper cat stories. So lovely to re visit this again. Must b saying mum is still talkin about us.
ReplyDeleteSafely returned!,,,,
A lovely story, Yamini, and as for that picture! I'm a cat person, rather than a dog person, and cats never cease to surprise me with their insight. :-)
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteMahal - thank you. They surely are!
Perpetua - Indeed, cats are the sages of the pet world with their detachment and discernment! However, dog is just God spelled backwards - sent to show us the purest meaning of devotion...&>