REFLECTIONS OF A COCKER SPANIEL

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 18, 14 May 1952, Page 3

REFLECTIONS OF A COCKER SPANIEL

(BY

PETER

MacGREGOR)

I have now reached the age of thir- , teen, the equivalent of ninety-one years in the iife of a human. Therefore, having lost all inclination to indulge in the boisterous pursuits of • my youth, such as cat chasing, hedgehog hunting and rat killing, etc., I now have more time on my paws for quiet contemplation. I still enjoy a walk but otherwise am content to spend my days browsing in the sun, dreaming pleasant dreams of the past. My favourite spot for this occupation is a certain sheltered flower bed where primroses and carnations make a comfortable eushion. Unfortunately it is in sight of the kitchen door and for some obscure reason it apparently annoys my mistress to fincl one lying there. However Pve diseovered that old age has its advantages. My eyesight is failing and I am becoming deaf, so I never fail to make the most of thse infirmities when the occasion arises. When, therefore, I am ordered off the flower bed I become very deaf and pretend to sleep. "Poor old boy ! " my dear misfress murmurs #sadly. "I haven't the heart to turn him off those carnation. He can?t even hear me ! " Of course, I might add there was a time when I would have been hauled off by the collar and soundly thrashed. I discovered early in my life, what a surprising number of inflexions there are in the simple words "Come here ! " For instance when they meant walk, dinner, brushing, naturally I obeyed with alacrity. However on wasliing days they indicated a bath, so I invariably made a bee line in the opposite direction. I am thankful to say my age now exempts ?ne from this humiliating experience. Then again should 1 perchance have buried a bone amongst the prize daffodil bulbs, chased the cat over the way or committed some other indiscretion, who can 1 blame me if I remove myself rapidly when I hear these two words flung at me in wrath. This morning I was wakened at dawn by an objectionable collie who lives in the next. street. I was in the middle of a pleasant dream about a rat chase and was extremely annoyed at the interroption so I gave him a piece of my mind. He answered back, so of course I told him what I thought of him. I cant bear the thought of a collie getting in the last word. In the midst of this altercation a door banged and the next moment a furious Agure emerged from the house clad in pyjamas and dressing gown. He strode towards me hurling the most offensive language in my direction, so I discreetly removed myself to the fartherest corner of my kennel and waited for the storm to subside. Alas ! So often I am misunderstood. However I shouldn't really complain because on the whole, my life has been a very happy one. I am devoted to my family who are exceptionally kind to me and reciprocate my affection. I have pleasant memories of many pleasant walks with them and rides in the car, the lat"ter a great treat for me. Talking of Walks reminds me that whilst I was in the village this morning with my mistress I had the misfortune to meet an exceecfingly rude fox terrier in the post oflice. He had the Impertinence to come up to me and inform me that baggy trousers with frayed edges were not worn in Taupo. I regarded him coldly and remarked that I preferred my own garments to the threadbare piebald coat which he was wearing. He replied that long ears and curls were "sissy." With that I turned on him and it was a grand flght. I thoroughly enjoyed it although I must admit it left me feeling slightly shaken. My mistress, who always appeaars to be distressed when I have a fight, stupidly left her place in the queue

and intervenecl before we had fmished. A pity ! I felt rather weary after we returned home, so when no one was - looking I slunk into the drawing room ' and stretched myself out full length j on a comfortable rug. Ah ! The I luxury of it ! I gave a sigh of contentment and I fell fast asleep. Footsteps wakened me. "Go outside, at once, you bad dog ! " A familiar voice called indignantly. I used to find that sitting up and begging with erossed paws often got me out of a difflcult situation but, unfortunately, I have difficulty in sitting up now, owing to rheumatism. However, on this occasion I trembled violently all over, my teeth chattered and I gazed up at my mistress pleadingly showing the whites of my eyes. The voice softened. "Poor old darling, I really haven't the heart to turn you outside. You are so old." So there I remained. As I remarked before, old age has its compensations.