One of the inputs that we received from our ‘go to’ canine behaviorist was “Don’t humanise Mr. D”. He didn’t tell us “Don’t familyise Mr. D” :-). So when we planned our weekend break, one of the definite requirements was to take Mr. D with us. Then came the usual exploring of a pet friendly resort which doesn’t require much of commuting, and we chose one we had already been to. You see, Mr. D just glues himself to the backseat of the car and stands most of the journey, on the seat; and you can’t pry him from his position – perhaps the fear of being unstabilised while going over a speed breaker or a pothole etc.. We didn’t want to put him through so much of an anxiety, if avoidable.

The moment we reached the resort and he got down from the car, the sniffing started – with his nose up in the air or down on the ground. He began ‘marking’ his territory. This time we didn’t have any canine neighbour (s) in the floor above, who would jump down from the first floor on a ‘perfect 10’ to greet Mr. D.

Once we rested a bit, and we stepped out to explore the area, we met Ms. MM. Both Mr. D and Ms. MM kept looking at one another and wanted to get closer to one another. However, if they both took one step forward, Ms. MM would growl and Mr. D would crouch like a tiger and charge quite suddenly. Well, for all this crouching, he spotted a bowl of rice that Ms. MM had left half consumed, and wanted to eat that. Seriously, it certainly wasn’t the temptation of food that drew him to the bowl!!! 🙂

The next morning were moments of adventure. Both Mr. D and I stepped out for a walk. Mr. D who was on his body harness and leash, tugged hard at the leash. His body harness loosened and came off his body. Here I was standing with his harness and leash, in total silence and shock. There he was, free of all his shackles. Mr. D bolted, the moment he realised that he was off the leash. For perhaps the first time on this trip, I was glad we chose a place we had been before to as I had an idea of the layout of the resort. For a while, Mr. D couldn’t be spotted and suddenly I would see just his head peeping out of somewhere. He would see me walking towards him and would run somewhere else. I was walking with one harness and leash calling out to him with, “Treat treat, if you come.” He he!! His treat was being outdoors and free to wander. The eat treat could wait 🙂

He was happily on a run. After a few minutes, his run turned to a slow walk and after a couple of “I will give treat, if you come”, he was ready to come and be harnessed. Whew!! both of us have mellowed over the last couple of years and learnt about each other, I guess.

We walked and explored the area and met Ms. S, with whom Mr. D certainly didn’t want to be friends with. Mr. D would not even turn to where Ms. S was and she didn’t like it. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!! She would bark and he would ignore. He could certainly be disdainful, if he wanted to!! To add to this, Mr. D refused to drink the water I gave him; and when one of the resort staff watered a potted plant right next to us, he drank the slightly muddy water in the pot. The staff seeing this, thoughtfully poured some more water in the pot for Mr. D to drink.

That evening was a rendezvous with Mr. P who was a good 3 years older than him. Mr. P was a different breed altogether (no pun intended:-)). He was so quiet, so quiet that he would just lie under the table or at the feet of the people he was with. One of my family said, “Look at how quiet he is. Why can’t our Mr. D be like him?”

I could not but remark, “Why would we want Mr. D to be like Mr. P? Mr. D is Mr. D and Mr. P is Mr. P. Let them be the way they are.” Well, for some other families we met there, Mr. D was so well-mannered. Guess, the grass is always greener on the other side – whether it is about dogs or humans.

Mr.D’s reaction to 4 chubby chubby cats which were in an enclosure, was a sight to watch. These cats were jumping from one branch to another (of a tree which was in the enclosure) and so comfortably seated on the branch too. These cats would look at Mr. D with a glare and he would take a few steps back from the enclosure. He would then charge with a bark. A couple of the cats would quickly jump a branch while the other two would scowl at him. Mr. D couldn’t care less. He will look elsewhere or stare back at them. Some communication that they have with one another!!

If this ‘catty’ experience wasn’t enough, a walk a little away from the resort found Mr. D stopping in his tracks. He went completely on guard, with his focus only on the house in front of him. It took us a few minutes to realise that there were a few ‘mews’ emerging from the house that caught his attention. So much stimulation keeps him so so alert. that after we return home and for the next two days, he skipped most meals and slept and slept and slept.

The icing on the cake of this vacation was meeting three Cockatiels – a type of parakeet. They have a white body with a yellow comb. The people who bring up the Cockatiels apparently carry them for whichever vacation they go to. These Cockatiels get dull when they are left with someone and don’t have a place where they could be boarded. When the couple they are with, need to travel to the East of India where their native is, they have to travel by car for 5 days; as the Cockatiels cannot travel by plane or train. Interesting to hear the experiences of people who raise (for want of a better word) pets, of any kind.

One may not make friends with others who have pets, when on such vacations. However, it is a kinship of a different kind. Do I or don’t I love Mr.D? That’s the question. I like him but do I love him? I don’t have the answer yet but it is a nice experience to vacation with him.