Coda and the Cat

A few months ago Coda and I were enjoying a lovely morning walk. He was a true gentleman - didn't pull on the leash, sat at the street corners, and even kept his attention on me when another Lab passed. But then Coda spotted something he'd never seen before.

At first Coda watched the cat from across the street. It was a big, orange Tabby that stared back at us without blinking. "Don't even think about it," I said, knowing Coda didn't stand a chance. But Coda was back to his old self. He lunged forward, yanking the leash right out of my hand, and darted across the street. Thankfully there were no cars. As Coda approached, however, the cat didn't budge.

I suppose a better Mom might have run after Coda, but I stayed back and muttered for him to stop. I was Willy Wonka in the scene when Augustus Gloop falls in the chocolate river (no…stop…don’t…yawn). So I watched as Coda ran up to the kitty and wiggled. He wanted to play. The cat didn't wiggle. The cat stood up on his hind legs and assumed the position.

There was hissing and spitting, following by rapid swatting. Coda was dumbfounded for a few moments, then he began to yelp. Motherly instincts took over, and I did go to Coda's rescue. Coda came right to me without a chase game, and I saw he was bleeding just under his left eye. Another half-inch up and this would be a different story.

The walk home was slow. Coda stayed right by my side and let me dab at his wound with a Kleenex. When we got home, I cleaned him up and put on Neosporin. (Yes, the people kind. My sister's a vet and they use this all the time.) The cut wasn't deep and the bleeding had stopped. I gave him a few kisses on the muzzle and told he was fine. Knowing Coda, I assumed he'd leap up and go run amuck in the yard. You know what they say about assumptions.

Coda stood up and slowly walked into our bedroom. He went into his kennel and curled up into a little ball. He slept all afternoon.

Since the incident, Coda hasn't gone after any more cats. I think what shook him up most was that the cat didn't want to play with him. This made no sense to Coda, who loves everyone.

Still, Coda doesn't seem to have any deep psychological scars. Yesterday he stole the watering can and chew it to bits. Perhaps it's time to tell you more about Coda's thieving. Maybe there's a support group.

Ironic, isn't it...Coda's a bit of a cat burglar.