Keaton is the little Landseer boy that has joined our home and made the life of my darling Liquorice and her folks such a joy of late. He has settled in as though he has lived here all his short life and could want for nothing more.

When Keaton first arrived, everything here was new to our little man. The master Keaton had obviously seen trees, bushes, birds, lizards, butterflies, ants, etc on previous occasions however this was HIS home now and these subjects must now show themselves deferential to his whim. So for a day or two, as Keaton noticed for the first time, each tree, shrub, individual bird or insect, cow, horse, or anything that seemed unfamiliar here, he would bark at it. His original bark seemed more of a loud and boastful, “This is my domain!” gradually mellowing to a friendly, “G’day, howya doin’?” type greeting. Keaton would react in a similar manner with each fresh encounter even if it were only the same tree seen from a different perspective! From Keaton’s viewpoint, with the breezes blowing, the leaves of the trees and shrubs seemed to tremble deferentially to his challenge! Now they quiver respectfully in his mute presence. The young master Keaton was soon to realize these were no threats to his sovereignty.

Our cows, the neighbor’s horse and the various species of bird-life that Keaton has met cast only a disinterested glance in his direction as he made his presence known. Then they would resume their tranquil pre-occupations, much to the confusion of their young master! Cows would slowly graze or chew their cud, the stallion next door would cast his eye in search of attractive fillies and the little birdies continued to eat, drink or generally make merry. An example Keaton now follows in silent earnest! Only the neighbor’s dogs acknowledge Keaton, barking as he patrols his realm. He barks back, they go silent, not because of Keaton’s way with canine words or superior diction but simply because Keaton’s big “sister” Liquorice stares darkly in their direction!

All in all, the young master Keaton has “bent” the willing inhabitants of his domain to his will. He has one doting Liquorice and three equally doting humans, each indulging his slightest whim. And Keaton believes this is only as it should be!

A few nights ago Keaton’s actions silently asked that he be allowed to go outside, “to do what a little man must do”. Liquorice was peacefully stretched out on the back lawn enjoying the cool night air. A few minutes passed, then suddenly Keaton’s deep bellows shattered the still evening calm! I rushed to the door to see Keaton barking furiously at the darkness toward the back paddock. He raced excitedly to me as I opened the back door and was told what a good boy he was, then I reassured my little man that we were safe. But a couple moments had him back down the lawn hurling his manly warnings past the dim light from the verandah and into the darkness beyond. Liquorice slowly raised herself to a sitting position, gazed intently across the black horizon and turned placidly with a “What’s the matter with YOUR pup?” expression on her beautiful face. As Liquorice turned my way Keaton bravely placed himself between his playmate and the unknown peril. Possibly Keaton was nobly guarding his Lady or emphasizing Liquorice’s massive proportions compared to his own more modest puppy size in a display hinting he has “effective” backup should the need arise!

Late the following night, as Liquorice and Keaton were having their final leak before retiring, a high-pitched scream tore though the air. It sounded like a wild rabbit meeting its fate in the jaws of a fox. Liquorice exploded into voice and charged around to the front of the house. Brave Keaton followed at her heels adding his deep bellows to Liquorice’s rare outburst. The night was dark and moonless with black Liquorice barely an outline, Keaton however was clearly visible with his predominately white coat. Liquorice pushed her way through some shrubs along the edge of the track. It was then that her barks grew menacing with low rumbling growls emanating from deep within between each of her vibrating roars. At the first of these “new” rumbling growls Keaton instantly turned and charged with the speed of greased lightning to the safety of the back door! Obviously to seek assistance for Liquorice and his Dad!

Within a couple of days of his arrival Keaton’s barking had almost ceased. He has now had several journeys in the car, some with Liquorice, some without the pleasure of her company. Keaton hops in the car as the door is opened for him, however when he sees Liquorice about to enter our little gentleman, having realized his forgotten manners, pushes out past Liquorice to allow his Lady to enter before him! Quite the gallant lad, an effect spoiled only by the way Keaton then unceremoniously scrambles over Liquorice to reach the other side of the car! Liquorice’s tolerance must be tested to the limit at these times. Now I willingly admit to preferring to groom my two little darlings than “grooming” our car. That is a task I leave to the local mechanics when the car goes in for a service. However my sister and her husband were taking Ma and Pa for a drive, using our car, so it was required that several layers of sediment had to be removed from its surfaces, internally as well as externally. Keaton slept soundly in air conditioned comfort as I labored away in the afternoon heat. At length the car was its gleaming self once more, parked in the garage and looking like brand new. Later Keaton wandered past the doorway of the garage and saw the results of my hard work. The raced toward the car barking and hurling canine insults at this strange “new” vehicle. Without its “earthy tones” he no longer recognized HIS conveyance! Liquorice knew the car, but then she has a l-o-n-g memory!

Arthur Witten
Liquorice – I must be getting old. There are white hairs on my black coat, and Dad’s are gray!
Keaton – That’s not my car! My car has plowable surfaces!