Short Story

An intelligent pet

by K.K.S. Perera

Checking our my pet's veterinary record late at night, I noted that her anti-fertility was due on the following day, which prompted me to alert my wife as well, in case I fail to recall.

Nelley, my pet, ran out of the dispensary disregarding my calls, on to the pavement across and it seemed thoroughly indifferent. As I drew near her, she threw herself frantically on the ground and focused her eyes away from me. When I got closer, she got up and ran further away. She is not familiar with the road settings; I stopped dashing behind, realising the danger.

"Come like a good girl, now it's your meal time" Tail rigid and fur standing, she moved and shook the hind legs, "I'm not hungry".

I walked up to her, "Why, is there anything wrong?" She got up displaying her arrogance and started digging the ground; my attempts to stop made her growl and show signs of aggression at me.

"There's something special today, one of your favourites". She nervously rejoined. "How do you know about my favourites?" She wagged her stiff tail erratically. "You are worried about my food and medicine only, I'm an adult; not meant to be petted and pampered any more, there are other more important things", looking me in the eye, "From now onward..., remember, I will decide my future, you have no right to interfere".

Shocked

The others who queued to see the doctor, and a few bystanders were shocked, some of them were enjoying the 'fun'.

"You are talking like a human being". I made a mocking comment.

"Who do you think you are? Have you seen canine varieties in the neighbourhood, all are pure bred, you are the only..." .

"Only what ... say the only pariah?

'What a wretch she is! When the owner tries to be friendly... see how she behaves', a woman at the salon lamented. I approached the canine now two years old and being vaccinated every six months with 'Anti-fertility' injection that prevents the productive hormones becoming active. Was she listening to my conversation with the vet, when the doctor said,? 'It is not advisable to continue with anti-fertility for long periods', the vet warns, 'You need to go for surgery'.

'But then will she experience heat?', I demanded to know, 'Will it become a nuisance with all the male dogs in the countryside crowding around. The area is infested with all sorts of canines'. The vet responds, 'but we can remove her womb as well, block the hormones so that she will not develop heat'. I agreed with the vet that we go for surgery on the next due date in six months.

Problem

"Now what is your problem?" I changed my tone and got closer.

"Let's go home and talk". Nelley opened her eyes with a growl; forced herself into a sitting position, and attempted to stand, mumbled something about being dominated.

"You can't discuss these things at home" She seems to be unhappy that I interfered with her freedom. "That cute thing across the road, 'Buuly'...,says Nelley, "Now I know why the fellow snubs me? Last evening he just smiled and went away ignoring my advances, I know the reason; both, you and your vet, are responsible."

"Not me, it's the doctor who planned the schedule."

She accused me of lying; that I have cheated her by giving painful injections to block the hormones, under the pretext of administering a rabies vaccine. "Tell me, didn't you do that? I do not like your way of handling me, it's high time you release me into a free life."

Realising what triggered her change of attitude, I had to act fast to neutralise her arrogance. After a few minutes of silence, I painfully lamented. "Oh how charmingly cute that little puppy was...", I murmured ignoring her. "When I picked it from the gutters two years ago; but I made a mistake of treating the pooch like a human...hmm."

Charming

"Are you talking about me? You mean I look charming and pretty; then why not a single doggy down our lane show any interest in me, that bully across the road, one of the most lively, agile, brave and cheerful dogs down our lane, he doesn't care a bit either."

I went on explaining, that she was a mature bitch, no more the delightful picture-book puppy that I selected among seven of them with that rarest golden-brown jacket. The tactic worked, she changed her stance and the tone; calmed down a bit. Ears pulled back, she sniffed the ground, and her tail was hanging in a relaxed position. She became friendly and changed the tone.

"Can you... then explain to me what you discussed with the doctor. Tell me ... both of you are up to ruin my future with injections and surgery. Is it fair to remove my organs without my consent, what about our rights, our carnal desires?" She got up and walked a few paces towards me, tail down, ears backward.

"You are attempting to draw my sympathy and attention, I say, look here, please understand, I am not a crazy canine fancier; you can go back to your bunking place where you were born, you stubborn hound, and there you can relish your canine appetite." That really worked, she came closer and lay down near my feet.

"We do not expect sympathy from humans; what we need is love and affection in return for our loyalty; okay, then will you tell me that story about some Lessy or someone". A quick change from her arrogance to a paly temperament.

Fantastic

"Not Lessy men, it's 'Lassie'; Yes, 'Lassie Come Home' it is a fantastic story about a boy and his dog Lassie and the dog returning home, after being sold to a man by the boy's mother, but I'm not in a mood for story telling right now. You spoiled my day". I pretended to be wounded, "Come lets go, I 'll take you back to where you belongs, you common bitch of unknown pedigree".

She rejoined; looking at me with 'half-moon' eye; her lips pulled back into a terror expression. "You selfish bully..., take me back where? And why didn't you leave me there. All right before you throw me back there, I will..., will you pull this shutter down...we canines only follow calm, assertive leaders. You can't treat me in this crooked fashion; I am not just a pet but a part of the family".

"Calm down will you; how dare you show your anger and irritate me?". I assured her that she will be taken back home, and no more injections or surgery, and that she can satisfy all her biological needs; have all her aspirations, desires and fancies fulfilled. She was relaxing; the tail wagging rhythmically and slowly, she moved a step closer to the driving seat, happy and excited.

"I guess you don't presume that I have dealt you poorly?".

"No Nelley..."

Amusing

"Then you must tell me a story before we reach home..., that Tin tin's pet doggy, the white Fox terrier". She's happy and cheered up. "What is its name...? ahh... let me think, that one with pure white coat..." She remembers, but pretends not so, wanting me to tell the name. "I say, you think I'm a sucker, if you do not recall the name just give-up".

"Oh, its Snowy isn't it? Yes, amusing and plucky Snowy, you said he identified a rogue before Tintin did; the cute thing who delighted my fancy and...and ... touched my heart too; those lovely heart-warming tales of my Snoowee...y", she said blushingly.

"You ignorant urchin, I say, 'Lassie', 'Snowy' and 'Old Yeller' are only fictional canines, and there are mythical ones like the multi-headed 'Cerberus' too." I explained to her.

"Multi-headed?, like you...Ha ha ...!", she's thrilled.

"Multi-headed you... not me; Cerberus in mythology, is the doggy who guards the gate to the underworld".

"So you mean, I'm the Cerberus, guarding the gate? ...of course! may be true, but only when you are inside the house. Ha ha ha..."she enjoys the fun, "But why didn't you tell me before that they are fictitious? All right, my little Buuley is real, let's see how he responds to the good news".

As I parked the car, she jumped out and ran around with glee exhibiting the play bow: front legs stretched forward, head straight ahead, rear end up in the air and wiggling; and stopped near the gate. "Nelley what are you doing there?"

"Just a moment", she started scratching the gate frantically barking, mewling and grumbling, probably to signal her desire to meet Buuley. "Come here, there's something I have to tell you...as she responded, I stroked her head to console her. "To tell you the truth, Buuley is already married, --- so don't behave like a silly owl."

She walked inside and threw herself on the door mat, her usual abode, totally withdrawn. "Now go and have your meal...you are hungry."

"Can I talk to you please ...I have changed my mind; it's okay..., don't cancel the appointment, take me there for surgery...".

The sad and dejected facial expression and her tear-filled eyes looking deep into me created a shock and amazement that was adequate to wake me up. My wife alerts me; Aren't you taking Nelley to vet?".

"No"