Patiently Waiting

Write a story with one character waiting for the arrival of another.

We all are aware of the loyalty that exists between many owners and their pets, devotion and love are expressed by dogs and their masters to each other, if they have been given a caring loving home.

This is the story of a dog waiting for his friend.

Nicky was a tan, black and white border collie/kelpie cross. He had been picked up from the pound at Silverwater when only a few months old. He had intelligent eyes and a tail that never stopped wagging. His tail was so lush and thick that when it swept across the low tables it would send pieces flying. He smiled; he actually smiled; his lips would part and his teeth were exposed but did not extend beyond his lips; his eyes would glisten with abject delight, all this while his tail happily flowing from side to side.

Border collies and kelpie's need lots of exercise, they are extremely energetic, lusting for adventure and stimulation; needing to race and chase, bounce and flounce, chase balls, rabbits, cats and any moving object as far as they can for as long as they can. Home was in Mosman above the Balmoral Oval. Every morning whether rain, hail or shine he would be taken down the 200 steep steps leading to Beaconsfield Road, he would sit patiently until the command was made “Go”. Then he would tear across the road to the grassy surface of the oval. Obedience was his greatest asset, obeying all instructions, listening, looking with ears cocked and eyes glued to his master. He had a considerable dictionary of words that he understood clearly and would crouch on his haunches waiting for the instruction that would let him fly or hold him back. A tennis ball would be thrown and he would never take his eyes of the ball until it was released from an upright hand – then at great speed he would be off, with such an expression of delight it was a joy to watch. Dog and master would spend time at the oval all year, in winter rugged up with boots, scarves and jackets as frost had covered the turf and there was a breeze from the bay, in autumn still rugged up but slightly warmer and then spring and summer in shorts and t-shirts and with utter exuberance a race along the beach and flying into the water to cool off, tongue hanging out, exhilarated by exhausted.

There were of course times when no amount of instruction could still his mad desire to explore. Living in tree filled Mosman meant there were possums in the tree and scrub and often in the roof. That meant in the dead of night there would be a scurrying and scuffling from the ceiling and Nicky would fly out of his bed and leap in all directions trying to get to the furry monster. This would mean jumping onto the dining room table, the back of the lounge and chairs, desperately trying to get to the source of the pest. One night the lid of the piano had inadvertently been left open and Nicky flew to the keyboard and run full tilt the length of the keys, back and forth he went, leaping higher and higher. A crescendo of wild thrashing keys woke the whole household and eventually the piano lid was shut and the dog was shushed.

The master’s family lived in the country and from time to time a leg of lamb was brought to Sydney. Always a huge treat to have a Sunday roast with the accompanying vegetables, guests were invited to enjoy the feast. The leg of lamb was left on the kitchen bench to reach room temperature before being placed in the oven. Well that was a temptation too hard to resist even at the risk of severe punishment. His jaws would have salivated; his eyes would have been shining; his nostrils flaring until it was just all too much. The master returns and finds only a smidgen of bone left; a very satisfied but apprehensive look on Nicky’s face indicates he knows he has been a bad, bad boy.

Nicky had one great mate, Solo, a golden Labrador. He was a study build, heavy in the hindquarters, intelligent, loving and carefree; Nicky on the other hand was lithe, slender and fine boned but strong and agile. Both were very fit and healthy, well fed and well exercised. They played together like young pups, galloping around the back yard and having the best time together. Balls and sticks thrown were a delight but Nicky always got there first and enjoyed the tussle they had when Solo reached the target too.

Disaster stuck, Nicky’s master was rushed to hospital and therefore Nicky was sent to spend some time with his best mate Solo, maybe only a short visit.  Nicky and Solo played around in the back yard at Seaforth for a while and then they disappeared. The families of both dogs were devastated and took up searches around the area. After a few days they were found near Manly dam late one afternoon and put in the Council pound.

The following day the Ranger arrived at the pound and found Nicky sitting on the outside of a 12 foot fence. During the night he had apparently climbed, clambered, clung to the wires and finally managed to scale this huge obstruction. However he would not leave his mate Solo behind. He just waited and waited and possibly was encouraging Solo to scale that huge fence too. But Solo was not able to manage such a gargantuan task. The Ranger took Nicky back into the pound and placed the mates together, they licked each other fondly and were relieved to be back together again.

Finally their masters came to collect the wayward dogs, much to the relief of Nicky and Solo. The Ranger told them that they should be given a significant fine however he was so impressed with Nicky’s loyalty to his friend, his ingenuity of escaping, saying ‘that is the first time in the history of the pound that any dog had scaled that fence’. The Ranger then advised the owners that he had decided not to process the paper work and the owners escaped the fine.

The bonds between dogs and their masters are very strong, deep affection and loyalty best describes that relationship between man and beast but it can also describe the love and loyalty some dogs have for each other.

For Nicky to wait 18 hours outside the council pound waiting for the arrival of his mate Solo surely showed an unusual loyalty and love for his best canine mate.

Diana Wilson