MY DOG ……. A SURPRISE FOR ME
OR
HOW I FINALLY GOT HIM!

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PAGE FIFTEEN:
CASANOVA/PUPPY …….

LIKE AN ELEPHANT, HE NEVER FORGETS!

Casanova/Puppy is now Ten Years Old

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A while ago, Casanova/Puppy was walking down my back porch steps when he missed his footing and almost fell off the bottom step. He looked quite funny when he did this, and although I realise that I should not have, I dared to laugh!

When he heard my laughter, he ran off into the front garden and I was unable to coax him back. Evidently, he did not enjoy my insensitivity!

That night, Casanova/Puppy slept on his couch and not on the bed! He refused to come into the bedroom and even refused his special bedtime treat, a Vanilla Wafer!

It was not until the following morning that was he willing to allow bygones-to-be-bygones!  Believe me, I had to work at it! Following this, I am careful not to laugh at any action of his that he might find offensive!

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I remember on another occasion, Casanova/Puppy was resting on his couch like an Oriental Potentate, when he was disturbed by someone coming along my driveway.   Such an event is guaranteed to rouse him from his repose and send him racing to the front door.  Unfortunately for him on this occasion, in his rush to reach the door, he twisted himself in such a way as to cause him to tumble off the couch and onto the floor.  I was aware of this accident, and quickly remembering the last time I dared to laugh at one of his faux pas, I managed to stifle my response, and with a choking cough, got up and went to open the door with him, as he leaped about me.

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Each day, Casanova/Puppy enjoys accompanying me back to where he used to live. While here, he enjoys maintaining it as a Cat-Free-Zone and inspecting his holes under the various bushes. After he has completed his inspection, he will next spend time checking out the back and front fences for signs of breeching. Once his satisfied that all is well and no marauders have dared to damage the fences, he is ready to return home. Unfortunately, his wish to return home does not always agree with my mine. He lets me know that it is time to go home by placing his head on my thigh. When he does this, I scratch the area between his ears. This is sufficient to keep him happy for a few more minutes. Once he realises that we are not leaving yet, he walks off and goes to sit on the porch before the house and either enjoys the sun or perhaps falls asleep for a few minutes. However, I know that he is none-to-pleased, and I know that I am going to pay for this!

When, at last, I am ready to leave, he gets his own back by not coming to me when I want to attach his leash for the journey home. He follows a ritual that he follows when he is miffed by our not leaving when he is ready. This begins by his walking close to me, but remaining just out of my reach of my grasp of his collar.

He will next remain stationary with his back turned away from me and will gaze across the garden towards the road pretending that there is something of great interest to him in the distance. He also now pretends that he can not hear me telling him to come, as it is time to leave. His tail is wagging happily, as he enjoys this moment. Next, he repeats the walk past me, again remaining oblivious to my calling and reaching out for him! Should I get up from my chair and walk towards him, he quickly moves over to the driveway where he looks straight ahead while wagging his tail with vigour! He is evidently enjoying himself!

After a while, he suddenly remembers that once we get home, I will be making toast with Peanut Butter, which he enjoys very much, and now he will causally walk close to me and allows himself to be caught!

Happily caught and looking forward to toast!

Now that he has decided that I have been sufficiently paid back for keeping him waiting, he is ready for me to led him home!!!

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One has to remember that Casanova/Puppy is a very sensitive dog!

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