The young Master Keaton, all of six months, insisted on being brushed first this morning! Liquorice is easy going, besides it gave her the opportunity to gnaw on her pressed rawhide “bone” in peace, not disturbed by my attentions. Keaton chewed on his treat, however, since he is still lacking anything comparable to Liquorice’s heavy duty eating gear, he had made little impression on his hard “bone” by the time his brushing was complete. Kindly Liquorice took his treat to show him the correct method to munch and crunch such delights! Keaton willingly yielded his prize knowing that Liquorice chews things into pieces he can easily manage and what is more, she does not object to his reclaiming the castoffs. As Liquorice lay down so I commenced my labors on her, becoming so engrossed that I did not notice the young Master wander off from our presence. Minutes passed, however my now watchful eye failed to glimpse any trace of my little Landseer boy! Liquorice was occupied with more important and pressing matters, namely her chewy treat!
Some fifteen long minutes passed between my noticing Keaton’s disappearance and his return. And he returned bearing gifts, well one anyway! As Keaton approached he proudly held aloft some unknown object almost entirely hidden in his ample mouth. Even Liquorice raised herself onto one elbow to welcome her playmate and with interest, as she had now finished her pressed rawhide “bone”!
And what was Keaton’s prize? Nothing other than a small yellow lemon! Apparently the young master had been touring our small house orchard! None the less, he was proud of his “catch” as he circled both Liquorice and I. At each pass Liquorice stretched her neck out and “followed” him briefly to satisfy her curiosity as to the nature of his “find”.
Keaton was so pleased with himself!
Ancient memories were returning to me of how little boys like to be praised for their “hunting” skills. With those memories refreshed I began to praise my little man with “What have you got there?” “How did you manage to capture that elusive lemon!” “Isn’t Keaton a brave hunter!” and the like. With each utterance Keaton held his “prey” higher, rejoicing in his pride! Even Liquorice displayed her approval by licking the young Master on each pass as he continued clockwise, circling of the pair of us! Then more comments from me, of “How did you find that rogue lemon camouflaged in the long grass?” “It must have put up a lot of resistance!” “What a brave little man to have fought that ferocious lemon into submission!” And with each Keaton trotted in tighter circles around Liquorice and me, head held even higher, lemon firmly held to prevent any attempted escape!
While Keaton’s jubilation with my praise increased, Liquorice however became bored, flopping her head back down on the cement in a “Hey Dad, you’re supposed to be brushing me” fashion! Keaton deftly skipped over Liquorice’s massive head but treated, with indifference, her feet and tail as he stomped on them while still circling. More compliments from me had Keaton in absolute heaven, that is until he skipped over Liquorice’s head that once too often. With much speed and dexterity Liquorice raised her powerful paw up under Keaton and hooking it around his chest, as he passed over, pulling him back off-balance, crashing him down sprawled out over the top of my little darling! Liquorice contentedly lay flat on the cement happy in the knowledge that this distraction to her grooming had been attended to! Keaton appeared utterly bewildered as he lay draped across Liquorice’s shoulders, not comprehending what had happened! Keaton looked so foolish as he tried, with little success, to get back onto four paws again. He was unable to maneuver his back legs over Liquorice’s shoulders as they were slipping on her sleek black coat! And he seemed unable to pull himself forward with his front legs! My helpless little boy did eventually gain his feet once more with my considerable help. But the proud young Newf was in him no more, he sulked off to be alone on the lawn, there to sample his prize.
Arthur Witten
Liquorice – That’s only a tiny lemon. I hunt huge grapefruit!
Keaton – Hey! When I bite this lemon, it bites back!