This last week, I have been getting 5-month-old Mulligan used to wearing a hat. My hat at first, letting him see it going from my noggin to his. Not a concept that found immediate favour with the young master, however, we did make progress. Next, I tried him with a small green “top hat” with Y-straps securing the hat in place with his ears going through the “arms” of the “Y” with the “legs” of the Ys tied under his chin. Mully was reasonably accepting, though after short periods, he’d tilt his head forward to let the hat fall off as with mine – only it wouldn’t. So, Mulligan would lay down and use a paw to wipe the hat off, only to have it replaced. Then I’d wait with a distracting treat and in a few seconds, he would be on the receiving end of the little treat – with a few more seconds passing each time before getting the treat. Mully’s focus was on the treat, not the hat, and he quickly became accepting of the headgear.
Then came Friday and we visited Caffe 104 up at Sydney Uni’s local Camden campus (rural) where they teach 3rd year vet students and ag science students. It was Mulligan’s first dress-up too.
I had the boy decked out for Saint Patrick’s Day wearing his green Saint Patrick’s Day bib, green jingle bells collar (more tinkly than jingly though), the aforementioned green top hat gold buckle and four-leaf clover, plus some green tinsel over his shoulders – and Mulligan was a huge hit!
No one minded him celebrating two days early (the café doesn’t open on weekends), especially when he has such a good Irish name – Mulligan! Everyone loved his name!
And Mully really soaked up all the attention, and there was heaps of attention too! Plus, all the photos taken of His Lordship!
All the students we saw remembered Mulligan from their orientation day about a month ago when they swarmed about him squealing with delight! They were asking how “Mulligan” has been and commenting on how much he had grown in the month! Lecturers, other staff, farm staff all showered Mulligan with attention, and he soaked it all up too! Mully was in Heaven! The “outside” diners all made a fuss of the boy, especially some from nearby Carrington retirement village/nursing home who are more into St Pat’s Day than the younger generation. So, Mully delighted everyone from students leaving their first childhood to oldies entering their second!
Though when the food arrived, Mulligan had a new “interest”, at least at first. Once he realized he could “multitask”, eat and still get attention, he did both as opportunity allowed.
Probably shouldn’t admit this, but Mulligan had his cup of grilled chicken pieces, plus most of my “works” hamburger, basically he polished off the bun with the melted cheese, nearly all of the meat patty and most of the bacon and egg. Basically, Mulligan left me with the “salad” and pineapple. But he did so enjoy himself! And it’s not like he has that every day, couple times a month.
Being the center of attention for a couple of hours like that was quite tiring for the boy, with Mulligan sleeping from when we returned home, until nearly dark! Mully had a great time!
So, to one and all, have a great St Patrick’s Day whether you walk on two legs or four!
All the very best!
Arthur Witten
Mulligan – Dad needs to order two burgers, that way he gets two “salads”!
Sydney, Australia