Spot

I saw it all…

A disturbing event took place at the Smith house. It was the season where the clouds and sky grew dark very early, but families that could find warmth and comfort in each other’s company were celebrating with food, drinks, television, certain video-gaming systems, and sports. Oh, the sports were always a part of the Smith family. Basketball fans turned into baseball fans; baseball fans turned into football fans; hockey was accepted as the greatest of all physical distractions, especially when they felt the cold and could understand the appeal of being on the ice. But as I said, this year was different.

There was an event in the Smith house that made things very uncomfortable and awkward for all involved.

Let me explain…

As usual, the family came together to celebrate the passing of the autumn season into winter with meals, music, drinking, dancing, and the practical usage of gaming systems. And there was the television on in the front room for various uncles and cousins and siblings to enjoy the distractions of sports.

But there was a great problem…

Which one would it be this time?

It started with shouts from the main rec room in the basement. You could feel the vibrations through the floor as the television channels were surfed and the voices were raised. One uncle yelled that he needed to check his point spread on one football team; a distant cousin was adamant that he needed to see a clash between his hometown team and the local one (it was necessary to see who would end up at the top of the standings). The first to head down was another cousin who was curious about the violence he felt from a distance. The others were expecting a report on the situation as the food got cooked and bottles were opened. Instead, the noise grew and people became very confused and concerned about what to do next. It was only when the door flew open and the three men were seen wrestling with the remote that the rest of the home noted that this was actually serious.

The men were soon pulled apart, but the issue was not settled. When the rest of the home discovered what the fight was about, lines were soon settled. There were families who turned on each other when learning about the point spread; a man who brought his fiancée supported the hockey team of the original disagreement and…she did not (the ring clattered hard on the kitchen floor). The kids playing on the console in the front room wondered why their parents and older relatives were making so much noise (they could not hear Mario or any of the gangsters conducting grand thefts). Everyone had an opinion that they wanted to share and the front room became dangerous and noisy with the threats and denunciations and various denials of the rights of their families and friends.

And then there was dinner.

The atmosphere at the table was quite ugly as the grandmothers and mothers of different families began to place dishes, plates and bowls on the table. Place names were already provided, but this was ignored and abandoned once it was discovered that many of the new enemies would be seated shoulder-to-shoulder, cups and knives and forks far too close and tempting. The large main table for the adults was soon a battleground over who would sit next to each other. The child’s table was also a battleground, but this was more about who would be facing their parents and older relatives (this was somewhat important to them).

With steaming food surrounding them, there was a request for someone to say the traditional prayer.

Not a soul spoke.

The grandmother, who placed the last bowl of steamed green beans on the table, promised that one of them would begin to eat unless they showed their respect to the deity.

Not a soul moved.

They simply stared at the temptations in front of them and waited to see who would crack first.

And then, the miracle they needed happened right at their feet.

From the backyard, the Smiths’ dog made itself welcome by the fireplace (the outdoor house was simply not warm or spacious enough for him). This was spot, a golden retriever that everyone loved and missed when they were not together. And it seemed as though the dog was paying attention to the battle over programming.

It had the one remote for the TV in its mouth.

Now, they could operate the main television without it, but no one wanted to stand on a chair or coffee table to adjust the sound, move between channels, and not accidentally download pornography (an issue that seemed to be relevant over the holidays). They needed that remote. And the dog seemed to understand what to do next.

Without a moment’s hesitation, it swallowed the device.

*

It was a long and strange ride in several cars as they tried to find a veterinarian who was open that day. Fortunately, there were strings that could be pulled and money that could change hands with one young doctor who could not resist the charms of Spot. The grandmother rode in the car with the dog, cradling the animal as she brought it up into the clinic (they were surprised by the stamina of the woman they had seen all day in the kitchen), and the others followed.

The dog was fine, and the woman who examined Spot had to ask what led the dog to eat such an unappetizing snack.

Not a soul wanted to respond.

Spot merely barked away his answer, but of course, no one could understand what the dog was trying to say (a great fault with humans). I, however, could follow the whole plan.

No one ever bothers to notice what a cat gets up to, even when I hop into a vehicle unnoticed and appear at the feet of a relative who had been told not to bring me to the house.

Spot was hoping for a peaceful Thanksgiving, and instead the humans were arguing and fighting over the most trivial nonsense. That was why he had to do what he did.

Rather wise, for a dog.

Oh, and I won’t keep you in suspense. He pulled through, had the remote removed, and spent several days under the care of the clinic and a very kind nurse.

She allowed me to stay with him, and the Smiths felt that was very sweet and kind.

They never understand, do they?

I just wanted some peace and quiet, too.

And the best way to do that was to find the right…Spot.