Then she would stop her sneaky weaselling and lavish lots of love and attention on me – but still looking a tad shifty – if you know what I mean.
Also noticed my baskie was missing from the top stoep – where it usually hangs out all day – so I can lie in comfort and sun myself. Was most inconvenient – had to park off on the couch instead.
Checked out the washing machine but it seemed to only have Alpha’s stuff in it. Nothing of mine.
I followed her like a Blood Hound.
She picked up her keys.
I stood in front of the door.
Hah! Nice try! You’re not going anywhere without me.
She looked at me with big eyes. “You want to come with me Fudges?”
“Damn straight I do. I know you are up to something and I’m determined to get to the bottom of it.”
So we got into the car and drove off.
We did not drive long. Mom was babbling something at me, but I was too busy checking out all the interesting stuff and slobbering on the window. Before I knew it we were through the gates and I spotted the big feathery ostrich.
Mom stopped the car under a tree. Oh oh! I’ve smelled this place before. A dude walked up to the car woggling a chain-type leash.
Looked at him. “You can just put that thing away. I’m not getting out. Not today.”
But Mom put that wretched chain around my neck and said, “Come on Fudges.”
I’d leapt out before I even realised what I was doing. Then that traitorous woman opened up the back of the car and hauled out my stuff.
Baskie! Duvet! Toys!
“Seriously. You snuck my stuff into the car when I was not looking?”
She had the good grace to look rather shame-faced. “Sorry Fudges – I tossed them over the balcony when you were scarfing down the remains of Alpha’s brekky.”
Glared at her. “Very weaselly of you! You’ll have to do some major grovellage later to make up for this.”
I spent days and days and days in that place whilst they went to Cape Town and Granma turned 80 without me.
But I am home now and all is well.
* As told to Ginny Stone
