Liquorice has firm beliefs in her human’s unequaled talents for becoming lost ever since I used to train her to walk on her leash by circling tree trunks, doing endless figure eights and reverse figure eights in sight of our home. She was convinced that I could not find my way back until, frustrated, she would guide me back home. Then there are our walks when I drive her to a location and we amble “aimlessly” about until Liquorice spies, and then leads me gently to our conveyance home. She must be convinced that when I leave home without my little darling and return hours later that her dumb human just could not find the car again! But, those magnificent welcomes on return! Or worse, could not find his way home, after all, on occasion he walks straight past our driveway and over the hill on our morning walks.
This week will do little to dispel her convictions.
Yesterday, I, along with my father, transported my mother to hospital for her knee surgery today. Liquorice was confined in the garage and breezeway by a temporary fence, her usual “home” when we all leave without her. Car keys are always left in the car however in our rush I forgot my normal keys. When Dad and I returned after dark I had to walk along our lengthy driveway and having freed a rather happy Liquorice continued on further to the shed where the spare house key is kept. I have been “caught” previously. Liquorice followed me, delighting in my being home again, even minus one car. Back to open the house, recover my keys and return to open the front gate. Liquorice stuck like velcro until we neared the gate then ran ahead. She had found the missing car for me! Later when Liquorice entered the house with us she, as usual, demanded and received loving cuddles from my father, then me. But Horror! Someone was missing. She searched the house high and low but no trace of my mother! Those saddened, accusing eyes looking up at me will be long remembered. “You misplaced your Mum, and on Mother’s Day!”
Leaving my father at the hospital today I returned home without Ma and, to Liquorice’s dismay, having misplaced Pa this time. She felt her human deserving more of pity than censure.
But worse was to come. Liquorice was booked in at her Vets today for her de-sexing tomorrow. Imagine her pained thoughts as she watched me leave, this time having “forgotten” HER!!!!!
Arthur Witten – I miss her already!
Liquorice – I think he’s a bit thick between the ears!