UNCOMMON SCENTS

I WISH TO CLARIFY MY POSITION: I HAVE LEARNED TO COMPROMISE WITH THE "RED BEAST." AFTER SEVERAL ATTACKS EARLY INTO OUR FORCED RELATIONSHIP, I PROGRAMED MY BODY FOR IMMEDIATE RECOIL AND RETREAT FROM HIM. THIS STRATEGY HAS SERVED ME WELL OVER THE YEARS. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW REFRESHING I FOUND THE BROWN TABBY NEWCOMER WHO RELISHED MY ATTENTIONS AND OVERTURES FOR PLAY. HE AND I 'DUKE IT OUT' OCCASIONALLY IN FINE MEDIEVAL FORM. REGARDING THE LONG-STANDING, INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE TWO FELINE WARRIORS, HOWEVER, MY DEFENSIVE POSITION IS CLEAR, I REMAIN ALOOF. IN FACT, SOME TIMES IT IS ADVISORY FOR ME TO HIDE MY HEAD BETWEEN MY PAWS OR TROT TO MY CHAIR WHEN THE NOISE OF THEIR BATTLE BEGINS.

I AM A SIGHT AND SMELL HOUND. I MAY BE DUMB, BUT MY EARS, NOSE AND BARK ARE MY ANTENNAE SIGNALING AN ATTACK. I PURSUE WHAT I SEE, I PURSUE WHAT I SMELL, I PURSUE A RABBIT OR SQUIRREL THAT MOVES. LIKE A DEER... LONGS FOR A RUNNING STREAM, I PINE FOR A TASTY RABBIT OR THE CONQUEST OF A SQUIRREL. YES, I AM DISCRIMINATORY. THE FORMER MAKES FOR A MEAL; THE LATTER FOR A MERE KILL. IN CONCLUSION, MY LIFESTYLE REFLECTS NOT ONLY HERIDITARY INSTINCTS BUT ALSO COMMON SENSE. I NEVER QUARREL WITH CATS (OR DOGS). I CANNOT COMPROMISE MY UNCOMMON SCENTS.