Perseverance and Tolerance

I have always loved observing animal behavior, particularly those exhibited by the four dogs and three cats that I live with.

Teriyaki, my 1.5-year-old Beagle/Labrador mix, is blessed with the happy, even temperament of both breeds. She is subservient to the caprices of the three cats that she grew up with. I guess this is her way of acknowledging the fact that the felines arrived in my house before the canines did. Despite her relatively big size, she meekly walks away with tail tucked between her hind legs everytime a feline housemate hisses at her for going too near the cats’ territory.

On the other hand, she hates all other cats without exception. She had chased away every single stray feline that tried to enter our gate. Every successful flush-out was accompanied by a triumphant houndish howl. My guess is that Teriyaki was trying to say, “Three cats are enough trouble here!”

But something strange happened to Teriyaki this weekend. A few-week-old calico kitten spotted Teriyaki behind the gate and proceeded to inspect the canine that was making strange growling noises. The kitten must have been really brave or really dense. She tried to scale the gate’s chicken wire screen, but her efforts were in vain as her legs were still not strong enough to hoist her body up a few squares. So, she content herself with inspecting the dog behind wires. A more persistent little kitten, I have never seen. Teriyaki must have been taken aback by the kitten’s brave gesture. She dropped her top dog airs and sat by the gate for a good fifteen minutes, patiently accommodating the kitten’s challenge to play “tap my paws,” separated only by chicken wire and some skinny bars. Teriyaki would occasionally grunt in exasperation, rolling over on her back but still keeping the game much to the kitten’s delight.

I watched with amusement, wondering if Teriyaki would allow this little kitty permanently into her life. This is not Teriyaki’s first encounter with a small kitten, but this is definitely the one “stranger” kitten that Teriyaki tolerated in close range. Perhaps it is because they share the same tri-colored coat. Perhaps it is the kitten’s confidence (or ignorance) that made her earn Teriyaki’s respect in a way–enough for the proud canine to show uncanny tolerance for this tiny kitty.

In the animal world as it is in the human world, size does not always matter. It is a matter of showing one’s true worth, whether it be a certain attitude, talent or capability. It is a matter of perspective. The giant may say, “There’s no midget that I can’t drive away.” The midget may say, “I can win this giant’s heart.” Guess who came out the winner?