Stories Of London

A friend of mine was observing Casanova/Puppy a while ago and said that he was a very regal dog! When asked for clarification, I was told that he behaved in a very dignified and imposing manner, which was particularly marked by his walk, since he did so with an air of importance, as if he was royalty out to inspect his lands.

I began to observe him myself and noticed similar attributes in his other activities that might be described as regal, including in his eating habits and when he is at his ablutions. My friend smiled and said that he was indeed The King of Puppies!

The King of Puppies on his Throne

-oOo-

And so it seems that Casanova/Puppy can not be called a rough-and-ready-type dog. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying here. I am not criticising other dogs, as the most endearing quality of most family dogs is exactly their rough-and-ready character.

What do I mean by a rough-and-ready character? What I mean is that this quality? Family dogs are animals for the whole family to enjoy, although there is always one person that the dog seems to take to despite liking the others.  When I was a child, our family dogs, often got for me, always gravitated to my father.

Family dogs are playful. Generally dogs want to please their humans. Why? Perhaps it is for food, for shelter and even for affection? I do not know, probably for all three reasons, but regardless, there exists a bond between a dog and a family. Such dogs bring great joy to the family and are considered to be a family member. They are happy to run around, chase squirrels and other animals and be ready to play games with children and go for walks. It sounds an idyllic relationship, doesn’t it?

Casanova/Puppy has never been around children, or other dogs for that matter, during his formative years. Although he will fiercely guard the garden fences from those that dare come too close to it and will snarl and bark at Postwomen, and maintain a garden that is a cat-free and squirrel-free zone, he will not chase a ball, play with a toy or run-around with me when I make a feeble effort to chase him!

When I make an effort to play, he looks at me, as if I am nuts and walks away! I am convinced that he thinks that I am too old to play and may well fall over and crash to the ground should I try! I have tried to employ some young people including children to walk Casanova/Puppy on a regular basis and also to get him to play with a ball. However, these youths haven proven to be too lazy to comply with my simple requests for any length of time. Although they enjoyed getting their payment, they were less inclined to expend much energy and quickly tried and never returned.

Casanova/Puppy with ignored toys

-oOo-

And so, we have to content ourselves with a daily short walk from our home to visit my neighbour, some two houses further along the street, which is where he used to live. He enjoys this and loves to sniff at the variety of smells found on the way and then run around her garden.

Casanova/Puppy among the fallen blossoms in my neighbour’s garden

-oOo-

Casanova/Puppy is a tidy eater. He eats from his bowl and never sends any morsels of food onto the floor. He does eat fast, as all dogs tend to do, but I would not say that he gobbles his food.  I have known dogs that literally inhale their food and send their bowls flying around the floor as they are licked and licked until the dog has finally agreed that it is empty! This is not to say, however, that his bowl is not spotlessly clean at the end of his eating, as it is, and as the reader will see a little further down this page.

-oOo-

Casanova/Puppy takes great pride in his ablutions. I would not exactly say that he is excessive in his toiletry, but ……….. he borders on being a trifle obsessive! I have noticed that cats have a tendency to clean themselves, seemingly at every opportunity, and he is very much like this.

A Spotless Paw

Casanova/Puppy is known to spend an inordinate amount of time licking between his toes whenever he has walked in the garden or walkways. Evidently, his paws must be spotless before he comes into the house. I have never noticed muddy footprints in the house, and for this, I am eternally grateful to him. In addition, he never runs or even trots through puddles following rain.

A Rare Pawprint on the Walkway after being caught in the Rain

Unfortunately, Casanova/Puppy is remarkably private and will avoid having his picture taken. As a result, I have never been able to capture him grooming himself or eating. Should I succeed in being able to taken some photographs of him performing these acts, I will add some  here.

-oOo-