With the extra heavy dews we are now experiencing of a morning here in Sydney, Australia, I have been brushing young Keaton prior to brushing Liquorice, as Liquorice takes much longer to do than does our little boy. There are days when Keaton gets restless and wanders around on the grass, returning wet and quite unbrushable! Liquorice will lie watching us or patiently gnaws on some chewable treat until her turn inevitably comes. Keaton also gnaws on his chewables however they do not always hold his attention. On those occasions there are always new wonders to seek or past delights to be revisited. As was the case last Sunday morning.

Keaton tired early of his chewy, came to where I was brushing Liquorice as she lay on the concrete, and he laid down too, his nose nearly touching Liquorice’s as she made steady progress on her treat. Liquorice seemed mesmerized by her rhythmic gnawing, with no acknowledgment of the young master’s presence. Keaton quickly tired of this also, or perhaps he was inspired as he returned to his own chewy treat, picked it up and headed for the lawn. Just as well he had already been brushed. He sought a suitable position where he could view current proceedings and recommenced his chewing efforts. Other thoughts entered my little man’s mind for he soon was on his feet again wandering the front lawn, nose apparently breathing in the dewdrops, until he found that certain spot that satisfied his requirements. A special place where he could have a most enjoyable leak. The earnest expression on his happy face showed he felt this spot was certainly worthy of the search. Then he meandered off to do the more heavyweight of his early morning duties. If Liquorice were aware of his actions she did not reveal it as she was still contentedly working away at her chewy treat. Anything edible has an irresistible fascination for my little darling!

Keaton must have felt lighter, more energized, and therefore playful, for he started dashing aimlessly about the front lawn, splashing heavy dewdrops like rain in all directions as he went. He would stop, then abruptly rush off in another direction before changing directions yet again eventually coming to rest once more near his abandoned treat. That treat still amused him little, so Keaton lapped at the cool refreshing dew with his broad tongue. He was soon on his feet again and came to play with Liquorice who being otherwise engaged showed no interest. After a failed attempt to “steal” a slicker brush Keaton once more paraded about the lawn until the shadow of a bird crossed his path. In an instant he was “Keaton the Mighty Hunter” pouncing upon his prey only to watch as the shadow disappeared into the shade of the house. Another shadow fluttered out, then another as he bounced from one unsuccessful capture to the other. Some Noisy Minors must have been playing on the roof, their shadows emerging from the shade of our home as they flew into the morning sunshine. Keaton enjoyed the frustrations of his luckless hunt, especially when he tumbled over doing an inelegant summersault that left him dripping with dew. How delighted he looked, not the least bit embarrassed by his display of clumsiness. However he now had had his fill of chasing shadows and looked around for other entertainment. The most promising, it seemed to Keaton, was Liquorice, still being brushed by her easily distracted Dad. So over he came to wrestle with Liquorice. She at least acknowledged his presence this time. In reality there was little else Liquorice could do as Keaton flopped his now wet body over the top of her, lengthwise, grabbing a stray ear, as he slipped slowly earthwards from Liquorice’s recumbent form. A return “bite” from my little darling had them instantly wrestling with mock ferocity until a sharp “No!” ended “round one” of the day’s match. Luckily I had finished Liquorice’s front half on that side and was then working on her hindquarter when Keaton generously shared the dew from his coat with Liquorice’s freshly coiffured locks.

With little chance of an immediate re-match Keaton wandered off yet again disappearing around the garage. The young master is nothing if not predictable, for he was shortly closing in on the wet kibble in an old dog-dish I put out for the birds early of a morning. Looking through the breezeway I watched as Keaton nonchalantly and in apparent innocence closed in on the dish. A last minute feeling of guilt as he lowered his head had Keaton, as per usual, turn to see if I were watching him. I was. And our little morning ritual was complete as Keaton continued on his way leaving the little birdie’s morning meal unmolested.

Keaton wandered around the house eventually reappearing a few minutes later on the front lawn. That morning as I looked across the expanse of our dew covered lawn I thought it had been adorned with millions of luminous pearls. Now though, Keaton’s movements had left broad stripes wherever he had walked dragging his feet and dislodging the dewdrops and also there were now numerous lines of dots that punctuated the lawn tracing Keaton’s erratic dashes. Keaton paused, watching some wood ducks and an Ibis graze at the edge of the lawn. There were a pair of black and white Pee Wees wandering about also checking out the breakfast menu. The birds ignored Keaton who does not chase them, since Liquorice never does. He has learned much from her habits. But that restless streak within him would not be denied. He slowly meandered into the front paddock pursuit of entertainment where he weaved his from one side of a hedge of assorted plants then back again scenting bunnies as he went. Thereafter I lost the young master as my attentions were concentrated on Liquorice’s other side, having already rolled my little darling onto her back and completed her underside finishing off with a long soothing tummy-rub as I observed Keaton casting his watchful eye over the ducks.

My brushing of Liquorice came to a halt, and almost finished, when my father came out of the laundry door into the breezeway to say “Good morning” and exchange pleasantries. Then long lost Keaton approached from the other direction. With a self-satisfied air he held aloft some dark colored “treasure”. His expression and demeanor displayed the pride he felt in his “prize” which he obviously believed was captured using his exceptional hunting skills! The prize, at that distance, was recognized by me as a lump of partially burned wood that the ride-on mower had “picked-up” in the paddock. This was what I told my father. A retraction was necessary when Keaton came closer for it was not the piece of wood I had been too lazy to pick up. Even Liquorice raised her bulk onto one elbow to witness Keaton’s offering. And a rare find it was too. A long dead and totally mummified “Stumpy-tailed” lizard. They grow to about 18 inches long however this specimen was little over a foot long, possibly having shrunk during its drying process. Keaton gave Liquorice a tactical wide berth lest she wrest his trophy from his mouth! Upon seeing Dad Keaton quickly went to say “G’day” and boast of his find! Not realizing just how dry and fragile this lizard was I asked Dad to take it from the little master. Keaton pulled his head away from my father’s hand, so Dad, not exactly displaying all the wisdom that one expects in one of his advanced years, tried to knock the lizard from Keaton’s mouth using his walking stick! The lizard shattered, exploding in a shower of desiccated fragments from fine powder to quarter-inch sized portions of skin, scales, dried blood and guts that spread far and wide across the breezeway floor! Keaton was shocked, returning to me with half the fragile lizard still in his mouth! I was amazed at the “softness” of his mouth in being able to carry such a delicate object. I held out my hand and said “Thank you”. Keaton placed his treasure in my out-stretched hand and, though I praised him, he looked upon the remains in disgust! He followed me back into the breezeway gawking and sniffing at the shattered remains of this rare find. Having disposed of my half of that unfortunate lizard I proceeded to clean up my father’s half, from seemingly everywhere!

Keaton lay down, despondent that his hunting skills failed to receive the proper show of appreciation they deserved.

Liquorice continued gnawing her treat. My little darling enjoys the simple pleasures that life has to offer.

Arthur Witten
Liquorice – Was that edible?
Keaton – And that lizard put up such a fight, too!