Over theTEACUPS FROM THE ARCHIVES

COPYCAT (OR DOG?)

Our large Labrador sits in his favourite place, up against the glass back door, and when he feels hungry, he presses his nose on the pane and looks at me hopefully. The other day, I couldn’t bear the pleading look in his soft, brown eyes any longer, so I fed him a lot earlier than usual. A little later, I heard a whimpering noise and turned from the sink in exasperation. Our 11-year-old was crouched near the door with his nose pressed to the glass and his hands hanging limply like paws. There was such a stupid grin on his face that I got the message – and he got an apple.

Antique, Taupo THE INTRUDER

He’s a dear old dog, but it’s rather annoying that he persists in pushing through the garden on his daily round. After flinging a clod or two of earth at him in a half-hearted way, the owner decided that nature must take its course, though she still fumed inwardly. Spring came and the cactus that seemed to have lain dormant for years suddenly began to shoot up. The dog stopped to eye this thing that suddenly blocked his way and disdainfully sniffed at it before yelping and jumping back smartly.

I’d like to be able to say that he learned his lesson, but no. He has merely picked a spot a little nearer to home!

Clovs, Auckland AIR-RAISING

Coincidence, you have a long arm. When my young daughter was in hospital recently, having her tonsils removed, I sent a request to our radio station to play the currently popular Puppy Love for her. Her father gave her $5 to make up for her being in hospital, so she gave it to a friend who was going overseas and asked him to buy her a transistor radio in Singapore. We met him at the airport on his return and he duly presented her with the radio. She turned it on, only to find Puppy Love was playing.

C. Jay, New Plymouth