Pet Tidbits: Stories from My Backyard

 This is the start of a new era of posting for me. After being inspired by my furry friends, I thought it might be fun to post real-life stories about my pets, Cooper (the dog) and Kili (the cat). Enjoy the first of many!

1:45 AM. I roll over and see a furry face inches away, happy, anxious, eyes staring into mine. “You’re finally awake! I’ve been staring at you for ages!” Is probably what Cooper is thinking. The relief is plain on his little face. I groggily reach out to pet him, thinking he’s probably lonely. As my brain starts to function, I sit up and look out the window. No rain. Usually, if it’s raining, he wants to sleep with me. The dog is afraid of rain. *SMH* After a minute or two of agonizing debate, I force myself up and follow him out of the room. He frantically prances in front of me, making sure that I’m following. He sits by the back door. Great. He needs to go out. I let him out the door and he literally runs into the dark yard. Unsure of what to do until he gets back, I naturally head to the bathroom.

When I come out, he’s still out there, somewhere. After a minute or two, I get fed up and walk outside. I make those weird noises that you do to call a dog and whisper his name, hoping that he has good hearing. I hear the jingle of a collar and turn around to see Kili, not Cooper! He starts meowing at me and I pet his head and Cooper runs up. The instant they see each other, it’s like a Western-style showdown. Their eyes meet. They both know Kili is the more dominant. Cooper makes sure to stand slightly behind me. As I turn around to go back inside, I hear a scuffle, an outraged and slightly disbelieving growl. I whirl around and Kili is crouched low to the ground, eyes gleaming as he looks at Cooper. A menacingly cheeky glance is shot in both our directions. By this time, Cooper is hiding behind me. I open the door and we both bolt inside. Cooper, because he doesn’t want to be jumped on again, and me, because I prefer my ankles intact.

Later, when Cooper is wandering around the house and I can’t sleep, I get up to bring Cooper to his bed. I glance out the window. Sullen amber eyes meet mine. “I will wreak my revenge.” He is probably thinking. I stare, marveling at how angry Kili looks, then I go on my merry way.