The Tantrum

Cherie* Bishkeit* mom said in an altered tone – the one we often employ to talk to pets and kids. Funny thing is one doesn’t even have to make an effort, our speech distorts naturally in the process! She waived the biscuit before Cherie's eyes hoping that at least this attempt would prove successful. Cherie refused to budge. The idea was to entice her and get her to step out from beneath the dining table. That's one spot Cherie often chooses to seek refuge in case she wishes to sleep, or to leisurely eat a treat we may have offered. Also, if she wants to rest - which too often is the case with Labradors - or if she wants to spare being scolded for something she may have done to annoy mom. Apparently, Cherie and Rambo's Corolla virus vaccination was due. Mom couldn't find the time to visit the clinic and thus requested the veterinarian to send over her helpers or assistants. Sometimes convenience matters more than money!

The two fellows who came over were seated patiently on the sofa in the drawing room. At least they were done with Rambo. That, I suppose was the cause of the problem in the first place. It’s a popular joke amongst us all that Rambo in spite of being a male is more delicate than Cherie. The latter is quite rough and tuff! While mom held Rambo from his collar, Sonu- one of the helpers quickly pressed the injection in his posterior. Rambo whimpered but didn’t create any fuss. He’s the obedient one. Cherie saw it all and what else can you expect from a clever dog like her?! She figured that the only way to escape the pain of the needle was to avoid getting within their reach! She growled every time we made an attempt to hold her collar. Getting her to take vaccination seemed impossible! “Ma’am please take this muzzle”, Sonu uttered. He must have remembered how hard Cherie bit him last time when he tried to hold her steady as Dr.Pandey examined her for some ailment. It also explained why he didn’t make any effort to step near Cherie or help mom get a grip on her collar. Heck even my brother was cautious. Can't blame them. At times like these she does get unpredictable , something you normally don't expect from a Labrador!

Mom next brought a piece of chicken from the kitchen, convinced she had touched a weak spot. Her face bore a triumphant look. We don’t feed our pets much non vegetarian food so it usually holds a special attraction for them. Mom flashed the piece right below her nose thinking Cherie would find it hard to resist. But before she could grab it mom pulled the piece back. Cherie now sat upright on the floor, her head held high, her eyes alert, we often call it her royal pose. Her gaze was fixed on the piece, like a laser beam! She took calculated moves toward mom. Grabbing her collar or coat at this time was not possible . She hadn’t stepped away from the table completely. I could tell she was thinking “How can I snatch this piece without falling in their trap” Her face is quite expressive, perhaps it's her eyes. Besides it isn’t black like that of Rambo so it’s easier to read! ( chuckles ut the chicken piece in the center of the room now. We - the mute spectators observed keenly. Cherie did come forward. But before we could hold her collar she rushed back to her refuge. Her reflexes were quicker than ours.

The helpers thought it was a good idea for them to step out of the room. That may fool Cherie into thinking that they were gone. Mom switched off the lights of the room and stepped out too. Nothing happened. We were tired and irritated that mom had to coax Cherie so much. It was like pampering some stupid guy’s ego! I was squatting on the floor to see what she was doing beneath the table. "How about shoving the needle in her butt just like that!'' I said with an air of mischief to my brother. He laughed menacingly. He’s the one who teases Cherie the most and is often inventing silly tricks to do the same. My intention wasn’t to act inhuman. But mom had tried hard and I felt that she must have gotten tired by now. At least I was and I had done little save talking to Cherie two or three times to her in soothing tones! Besides the people from the vet’s clinic couldn’t wait forever. It amazed me to see how stubborn and clever a dog can be for the sake of its own comfort or maybe security. Made me wonder how humans are any different. All except mom stepped back into the room. A loud peal of doorbell caught us by surprise. Cherie rushed out swiftly. It took me a while to realize what had happened. I ran quickly to shut the door of the drawing room and that of the adjacent bedroom. I couldn't help but laugh. At last Mom’s ingenious trick worked! Cherie was finally caught in the trap.

I stepped out in the porch to see how things had taken shape. Mom held Cherie by her collar. Also, Cherie's neck was tucked between her legs ( not a very nice image! ) neck between her legs This was to ensure Cherie doesn't get even with Sonu as he gave her the vaccination. My brother on the other hand held her hind legs firmly. Sonu injected the needle within a matter of minutes. Cherie didn’t make any noise. I suppose owing to her thick coat and the quickness of the operation it didn’t cause her any pain. We heaved a sigh of relief. Everybody was smiling by now.

Mom remarked, “They are my own kids. I know what their habits and weaknesses are”. I think I sensed pride in her voice. For some reason I felt amused. Actually, she was right in a way. Cherie does have a habit of rushing towards the door everytime someone rings the doorbell in a quick succession. I tag such people as “The impatient visitors” ( winks) and many a times my own mom turns out to be one! (chuckles)
Mission Vaccination was finally accomplished.

I did have important work to do, one that didn't justify my observing this spectacle in the first place. But I can't imagine having missed this little dose of drama and excitement! ;)

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Bishkeit - Biscuit

Cherie - Pronounced as Sherry. At the time my sis and I brought Cherie home as a fat, fluffy puppy we were studying French. So when it was time to give her a name, we decided to put our extensive french vocab to use ;) The word means 'dear' in french. Later we learnt that it's an english name too ( Sherry) , so much for the french vocab lol.