This morning Liquorice was raced around the front paddock for the sheer fun of it when we were returning from a short walk. Keaton was racing around as well but mainly with the aim of engaging Liquorice in a game. Often he would “crash” into her, usually coming off second best despite his growing size! Once Keaton was standing about 10 feet to one side of me and Liquorice came barreling straight at him and at speed! Liquorice “hit the brakes” stopping 5 feet in front of him and issuing an odd high-pitched “yap” as she stopped! With that Keaton took off like a scalded cat in the opposite direction as fast as his legs could carry him! Not in fright mind you, there was pure joy and delight on his face, but it looked so funny! Almost as if Liquorice said “Boo” to the little man and he obligingly took fright! <vbg>
Also later on Liquorice was watching a magpie collect fuzz off the back lawn. I was lying with her, just giving her long slow pets and this magpie worked its way toward us, collecting quite a beak-full as it went. Did not change direction either until it came within 8 feet of us. Of an afternoon I usually brush my little darlings on the back lawn, hence the ready supply of “building material” as the birds make ready their nests for the upcoming spring.
Earlier Keaton had taken note of a Magpie sitting on the gatepost by the road. Normally he pays little attention to them, but this was not one of our “resident” population, probably a young male in search of a mate. Later on Keaton was barking at a Magpie sitting on the guttering of the house. Keaton was jumping up and barking at it. Becoming quite frustrated he was! It turned out to be the trespasser from the front gate. Keaton realized it did not belong here. Magpies are very territorial with clans being somewhat cruel with trespassers! Keaton would not have been bothered with a strange bird, per se, though he would have recognized the bird as new, and differing from his fellow residents. Keaton was reacting to that Magpie’s nervousness and agitation from trespassing in another clan’s domain. And that is what upset the young master. Actually our house, sitting on a ridge, is right on the boundary two “Magpie-doms”. It’s the ones from the back of the house that get the kibble of a morning, the Magpies from the front steer clear of the house, but they still patrol the front lawn!
Arthur Witten
Liquorice – I frightened the little boy!
Keaton – Shock! Horror! Save meeeeeeeeee!