Art by Dale "bushy" Bush
That time limit was also a great excuse to leave a dull party or tedious event where we could be at home hanging out with the dog and our cat, Miss Ella. Miss Ella is not a true replacement for Timber, but with the proper and patient training she might be the best doggone substitute for a gone dog.
Looking back now, Timber had a big hand/paw in the dogification of the kitten and began training her the day she joined the family at the age of 12 weeks. They became best buddies and we could see the cat pick up some canine habits from “her” dog, like circling three times on her bed before settling in for a nap. I should clarify that by “her” bed I meant Timber's, because she would take up most of his bed and allow him a small corner. It was funny because she was such a small kitten, but could starfish like a pro.
The dog had his perimeter patrol routine that was accomplished once or twice a day and it wasn’t long before the kitten was a willing accomplice in that endeavour. She was always a few steps behind and would travel at her own pace, but would quickly run and catch up if her buddy got too far ahead. I could swear that he would wait for her.
With Timber gone, that perimeter patrol is now a responsibility shared by myself and Miss Ella. Our daily little five minute walk is comforting for both of us and creates a man-dog…er, man-cat bond. Ella is so dog-like during these walks she does everything her dog did, except lift her leg for a peepee. She stops and sniffs as a dog would at all four corners of the lot and a few other interesting spots, but she does not stay inside the fence and will walk along the top pole.
Timber was lousy at playing fetch and he trained the cat well because she will not retrieve a ball or a Frisbee either. You could throw a ball or Frisbee for the old dog and he would look at you as if to say, “You had it and you threw it…so you go get it.” But if you gave him the ball he would take it to where you would throw it just to save you the effort. Helpful to a fault.
Give the cat a ball and she will try to push it off the table and then try to “kill” it. As for retrieving anything, it just isn’t in her job description.
Timber was a natural for security…bravely barking, alerting and saving us from welcome visitors, killer mailmen, squirrels (also killers), and on four different occasions, black bears. The cat will also alert us of welcome and unwelcome visitors but a small meow is just not as intimidating as a deep growling bark. Our ‘Beware of Cat” signs are cute but ineffective as deterrents to bad guys, although we have not had any bear activity since Ella took over security so maybe she is having an effect.
Now when Miss Ella and I go for our walks I am reminded of old Timber partly because of our route, but mostly because she will not heel…just like Timber…sigh.
