Monday, January 17, 2011

The Brute !



Five thirty am. A cloudless, star studded sky. Orions belt directly above us. A camembert coloured moon setting behind the turrets of the chateau. Wilf out for an early morning pit stop. All is calm. The deep, deep peace of French village life.

At this very moment Amelie, the moustachioed village cat decides to saunter across the courtyard. On and on she comes. Oblivious to the white furry presence standing, leg cocked, by the palm tree. It is after all her village. What dangers could possibly lurk at this early hour ?

Wilf bides his time. Somethings in life a boy simply can't hurry. Finally, he's ready. Ten yards maybe fifteen . He bounds with silent, purposeful, balletic agility towards his nemesis. The aches of age and illness forgotten. Best rugby playing technique. Head down, legs powering away. Amelie stops for the briefest of moments, then turns. As she disappears at high speed through the laurel hedge she emits a piercing , scratching , onomatopoeiac scream. " The Brute !".

We've not been into town for over a week but this morning the family fellow follows me into the cafe. A decided ' the boy done good ' swagger in his walk. On the way back to the car the woman from the bakers shop comes out and gives him a sliver of pain au raisin. We even manage a short stroll down by the river. A couple of hundred yards before he gets tired. A good day. One of Wilfs Simon and Garfunkel style ' Life I Love You, All is Groovy ' type days.

Simple pleasures.

33 comments:

  1. So much life still in the family fellow.. and you got us worried there yesterday. I could imagine the scene of Amelie darting away with a hiss.. *LOL* I am sure Wilfee is most proud of himself there! My love to him.

    Dommy and Anny

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  2. Simple pleasures, indeed!

    I was worried about Wilf after yesterday's post but it seems all is well again in Wilf's world. As it should be.

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  3. Ones sees it all the time in humans (I'm thinking of my elderly father). The little triumph and the huge lift to the spirits.
    Well done Wilf.
    Hugs from Gail (and Bertie).

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  4. Hello Angus, this early moring pit stop, seems to be the beginning of a beautiful day. How much i like to read your first phrases concerning the deep deep peace of french village, it is so rare now, i enjoy it with you.
    Amelie is a new character for me, in the everyday account you gave us of your life with Wilfee.
    A sliver of pain au raisin, yummy ! hope little boy appreciated it, much more than croissant ?
    Have a beautiful week Angus. Bisous, calins and love to my beloved dog.

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  5. So glad so read Wilf's had a little bounce, one more good day. Wonder if you could borrow Amelie at reasonable intervals to give Wilf that little shot of adrenaline that comes with still being the Best Watchdog & Protector in the world. A gentle kiss on the head, sweet boy.

    Jed & Abby

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  6. Bravo Wilf, nicely done! There's nothing like a little bit of an Amelie chase to lift the spirits. Life indeed is "groovy"

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  7. Ah, nothing like a good chase to put the bounce back into a boy's step. One thing though, no more pain au raisin! Raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause terrible, sometimes fatal damage to their kidneys. A friend visiting us in NY left a panettone she had bought as a gift in her open carry-on bag on the floor and we came home to find Petey had helped himself to half of it. Over $400 at the vet later (purging, rehydration and two rounds of blood tests) we got the all clear. With Wilf's compromised health, no raisins please!

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  8. Good Boy Wilfie-Keep that cat out of "your yard", I'm sure Dad was happy for the protection. Another good day at the bakery, a reward of sorts. As the lyrics of an old rock-n-roll song state "keep on keeping on". Kisses and tummmy rubs for our furry friend.

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  9. So glad that Wilf had his swagger back, after his successful defense against the village cat. "All is groovy..." - that's our Wilf!

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  10. Way to go Wilf! Amelie has met her match! ;)

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  11. Peaceful and lovely... just not too many raisins please :)

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  12. Wilfie, maybe your humans can "employ" Amelie to lift your youthful spirits on a daily basis - so happy to hear to all are doing better - Susanne, Daisy and Foxiie

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  13. Well, a fellow has to conserve his energy in case an important need arises that must be dealt with! I can just picture his happy little swagger, too. :)

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  14. One day at a time Wilf
    Snuggles,
    Benny & Lily

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  15. Good job Wilf!! Still got it in you. Gotta keep those cats on their toes.
    Tailwags
    Ernie,Sasha,Chica

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  16. Hello Wilf!
    Simple pleasures are indeed what makes life so beautiful! =)
    Keep it up, Wilf!

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie

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  17. Edward is plagued by a similar nemesis. Only his name is Milo.
    Happy day for Wilf.

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  18. Hi Angus!

    Saw this post and thought you might find it interesting...

    http://butchyandsnickers.blogspot.com/2011/01/10-dog-foods-that-may-lead-to-cancer.html

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  19. Okay - one more post - just saw this on Honey the Great Dane's blog in New South Wales and it sounded so much like Wilf's ponderings...

    "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,
    it's about learning to dance in the rain."

    Dance on, Wilfie!

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  20. Good job, Vilfee. The world is a safer place! See you tomorrow, old friend.

    Lisa and the rottweilers, who send love.

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  21. I am sure he's feeling rather proud about the chase of the morning! Well done Wilf! Nothing like a bit of adrenalin to get the blood pumping in the veins! Perfect day, let's hope the rest are just the same. Keep going Wilf! You are looking so very handsome and wise in picture #2.

    Love your frozen Canadian pals,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  22. Bravo Wilf! You showed Amelie that cats DO NOT rule the world!

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  23. Nothing like a C.A.T. -- mustachioed no less -- to recharge a pup's energy. I'm assuming Wilf was on his own and not attached by a lead to your hand -- otherwise we might have heard a different tale.

    Just saying because JH spied a sweet little feline curled up provocatively this am -- while I was looking in the opposite direction -- and before I knew it, off he went and off I followed. Arm and socket connection be darned!

    Glad you had a good day. Love that camembert moon!

    xxx Joan

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  24. He is still enjoying things, isn't he? What a good boy he is!

    Sam

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  25. As a cat lady myself, we think that Amelie deserves a soft head rub and a tasty bit of fish. She managed to do for Wilf what medication couldn't, bless her little heart. As s previous poster said, no raisins for Wilf. Can be life threatening.
    We love you, dearest boy.

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  26. Happy to see it was a good day for Wilf. God be with you both in the coming days.

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  27. Camembert and pain au raisin. All this French food!! I gain weight just by reading your blog!! :)

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  28. All is groovy dear boy...

    And that slice of raisin bread??? My mouth is watering!!

    We love you!

    Scruffy, Lacie and Stanny

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  29. there's nothing like a cat to bring out the beast in Wilf! good job, buddy.

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