A Friendly Gesture

Having perfected the aristocratic art of doing nothing, the small brown dog is worn out and in need of a nap.

She curls up on the pillow and falls asleep instantly, half supported by the pillow and half by my shoulder.  If I were not to move and if the cats were not to bother her, I suspect she would sleep clear til morning.  The tabby arrives and twines herself into the space between us - it's a true all creatures great and small moment but like all such moments in this house, it's fleeting -  not content to leave well enough alone, the tabby surreptitiously reaches out one paw and places it on the brown dog's exposed belly.  There is a sudden and panicked yelp - the cat leaps for safety and the small dog flings herself at me, quivering like jello.  The ensuing chaos is contagious and it takes the better part of a half hour to calm her nerves and restore order.  I want to think it was a friendly gesture and not a provocation but I know the tabby too well - like a great many people, she has never been one to let sleeping dogs lie.  


Here are some random things I've noticed about sleeping dogs.


Going "paperless" doesn't mean using or wasting less paper - it just means you shred four more times of it.


A software "upgrade" almost always means a dozen more keystrokes and twice the time to get to the same place.


"New and improved" usually refers to the packaging, not the product.


If you decide to make amends, first make certain it won't open old wounds.


Never completely trust a drunk, a cat with claws, a travelin' man or a rumor.