Since the morning was cool with no dew on the grass I chose to brush my two little darlings on the back lawn. They are brushed there, lying on their sides, of an afternoon, as it is much easier on my knees that are feeling rather ancient these days! Liquorice and Keaton both attended to their more personal morning chores while I placed some kibble and water in an old dog-dish for the little birdies and organized the brushes.
Liquorice chose to be done first, as is her right, and both were given a flavored chewy treat to pass the time away. Liquorice’s powerful jaws soon had my little darling enjoying her pressed rawhide bone to the fullest. However Keaton, with less powerful jaws, quickly wearied of his treat and sought other pastimes to amuse himself. Things like watching with envy as the birds came to eat “his” kibble, and worse passed it along to their chicks too lazy to help themselves. Keaton would lie down placing his nose almost touching Liquorice’s as she steadily gnawed away at her treat seemingly unaware of his presence! He would chase the little birdies as they lumbered away from the food-dish, tummies full of moist kibble. Other birds landing on the verandah guttering or in the camellia bushes also attracted young master Keaton’s attention! All the time I continued to brush Liquorice and enjoyed Keaton’s bored antics. As I was brushing Liquorice’s hind leg Keaton walked very slowly towards the kibble, so slow he possibly thought that I would not notice, and was about to sample that forbidden kibble when he heard me slowly call his name. Keaton did not acknowledge me as such, but simply retraced his steps, not even turning his head around, just walked backwards in an unhurried and gradual manner. That is until he reversed into Liquorice’s back! No problem. He sat down, using his bigger playmate as a chair and watched the birds gather back around “his” kibble once more. He looked so comfortable sitting on my little darling, a position he chooses to adopt on a regular basis. Liquorice usually sits up, which sends Keaton sliding in disarray! However Liquorice was occupied on important business, a delicious chewy!
I rubbed Keaton between the shoulder blades, gently at first, then harder as he pushed his weight into my hand. He pushed back with his front legs, harder and harder, until I was using both hands massaging along his backbone. Keaton threw his head and neck from side to side to take greater pleasure from my efforts. So great was his rigorous enjoyment and the pressure he applied against my hands that poor Keaton overbalanced to my side of Liquorice, twisting and squirming as he tumbled over, supported in part by me. When he came to rest Keaton had turned 180 degrees and found himself, on his back, cradled in Liquorice’s soft flank between her ribs and hind leg! There he played, sparring at me each time I tried to stop tickling his ribs or rubbing that bare belly! Throat or ear massages were quite acceptable in fact any attention had him wriggling and grinning with boyish delight! Eventually though Keaton slid down on his side, his back along Liquorice’s side. With his game over I continued to brush Liquorice.
And what did Liquorice think of our shenanigans? Nothing at all, the whole time she continued to gnaw with a passion on her pressed rawhide bone, and not a care in the world!
Arthur Witten
Liquorice – Hey Dad, did you remember to brush me?
Keaton – That was fun! Let’s do it again!