AMAZON

Friday, January 18, 2008

Muffin Saga Part II & Alex and My Nose-hose

The Muffin Saga, Part II

This is the second part of the story of my relationship with my dog, Muffin, which was begun on January 17th.

It didn’t take long for Muffin and I to become friends. She still maintained her anxiety when adult males were around, but somehow removed me from that category. Perhaps that was because she so often saw me in my liturgical robes, apparel that even some humans have confused with a woman’s dress.

Baseball caps were another matter. She remained terrified of them. One day six weeks or so after Muffin became a member of our family, I left the parsonage to play a round or two of golf. I owned a baseball cap that displayed the logo of the golf club where I was to play and, not thinking about Muffin’s aversion, wore in out the door. Muffin was playing in the fenced in yard of the parsonage and church, so I called her to go inside. By now she came to me when I called her name; however, as soon as she saw the baseball cap on my head, she stopped and literally backed up.

It was then that I remembered the cap, took it off, and placed it on top of my golf bag, which I had leaned against the house beside the front door. Muffin then came to me; I petted her, and opened the door to the house. But Muffin wouldn’t go through the door. She walked around the porch but avoided the doorway.

It took me a few seconds to understand her behavior: the baseball cap sitting atop my golf bag could possibly be interpreted by Muffin as a person wearing the dreaded cap standing beside the door. I removed the cap from atop the golf bag and Muffin happily entered the house.

I shall continue The Muffin Saga for as long as it takes to tell the story.


Alex and My Nose-Hose

Finally I am beginning to feel comfortable walking around dragging fifty feet of plastic hose dangling from my nose. There are a few minor problems, such as when the hose gets caught on the edge of a piece of furniture, halting my forward movement, and requiring me to backtrack and release the hose from whatever has snared it.

Of course, the snare isn’t always furniture. Sometimes it’s a cat sitting on the hose, trapping it with his paws/claws, and worse, biting it with his teeth. That is when I say (sometimes yell): “Alex, let go. That’s my nose hose!” Surprisingly, Alex generally does let go—at least until I and the hose begin moving again.

Speaking of Alex, he’s not completely pleased with my writing The Muffin Saga and has commented on it in his blog.




It’s cold here and has been for several days. Alex hasn’t been outside to play since Monday. Still, he has to check the outside temperature several times a day. To “check the outside temperature,” the furball demands that I open the door and he sits in the doorway for several minutes until he decides it’s too cold to go out. The above photograph is of Alex at 5:15 this morning checking the temperature (which was 24 F). He didn’t go outside.

17 comments:

  1. Cats are so damn cool, and Alex is no exception. Tell LAex that Corky says, Hi. Have a good weekend Nick. Cheers!!

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  2. Awe, Muffin has a bit of anxiety disorder...cute. hehe... Stopping by to wish you and Alex and Muffin and wonderful weekend!

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  3. Someone in a baseball cap must have really hurt Muffin - that's so sad.

    Alex is definitely the boss!

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  4. YOu know there is some kind of spray that is deter cats from biting cords....I have no idea what it is, but it might be worth looking into....as for Alex sitting on the hose...who rules that roost????
    Have a great weekend.

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  5. LOL ALEX IS THE ONE WHO RULES NICKS ROOST! IT FEELS GO TO BE POSTING AGIAN EVEN THO I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE THIS PC LONG I HAVE PUT SO THOUGHT IN TO PUTING A LAPTOP ON LAYWAY OR IS THERE SHUCH THANG AS LAYAWAY ANY MORE? THANKS FOR SHAREING NICK!

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  6. This Muffin Saga is interesting. I can’t wait for the next part.

    Tell Alex to leave your nose hose alone!

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  7. I can't say I blame Alex for being a wit bit on the jealous side, when it comes to the Muffin saga.

    Here's hoping he'll come to regard your nose hose as less a toy. Maybe you should have a little sign dangling from it: NOT A TOY. That's what my children's pediatrician did with his stethoscope. I'm assuming Alex does read, since he has a blog and all.

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  8. I think that spray thing might be a good idea. I was going to suggest it myself but I did not know much about it. I think you may have fun with Alex for some time. I am not sure how old he is but that hose moves. Cats love things that move like that expecially when it moves than stops than moves than stops... Good luck.

    I can imagine the ball cap incident. You never thing about things like that until afterwards and it is so obvious. It sure is a shame someone hurt Muffin like that. Looking for the next installment.

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  9. I can only imagine the trauma that Muffin went through to make her so fearful of a baseball hat.

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  10. Sorry to hear Muffin was abused, that is just SO wrong!

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  11. I am beginning to love Muffin as much as I love Alex.

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  12. I spent a few minutes reading your last 4 or 5 posts. It has been very entertaining.
    I hope alex doesn't do anytjing drastic to your tube, it is a bit of a worry.

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  13. I feel honored to have met Muffin. She was a darling and a good friend to you.

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  14. Poor muffin. I have had dogs that have come into my life that had fears of everyday objects, and you just know how traumatised they have been by people. Sometimes those scars can be so deep that only love and patience can heal them.

    As for Alex, I am with him. Me no like cold either ! It's much better to stay inside and nap in a favorite spot.

    I think the spray that was mentioned is called Bitter apple spray. It may not prevent the pawing, but it tastes so horrible, that it will keep his teeth from puncturing the hose.

    Yake care, stay warm.
    Love,
    Susan

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  15. ` Interesting about Muffin! So glad she likes you! Hey, you know, Bitter Apple could work, and if that doesn't what about attaching a toy on a long string to the hose? Then maybe he'll focus on the toy and not the hose? Probably a bad idea.....

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  16. I just love this muffin saga

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