Daisy and I were out walking last week, when we passed a group of revellers sitting at one of the capital's growing number of pavement tables. One group in particular seemed very much lost in conversation as they compared what appeared to be delicious plates of food. Naturally, I could not hold back my beaming smile as I looked in on the scene.
Then it happened. Out of nowhere, I heard a low-pitched growl. Grrrr. I was taken aback as I was sure it had not emanated from Daisy, however, I was equally unable to identify from where the noise came and why. Further observation identified the culprit: a wee Jack Russell cross. Sitting on their human companion's knee, whilst fastidiously ensuring they did not look directly at Daisy, this wee one was very clearly expressing its displeasure at my pal having encroached on its territory.
Unsettled, Daisy pulled back on her lead in an attempt to see who was calling her out and I, just as firmly, encouraged her to move on, just stopping short of voicing that 'they were not worth it'. However, as we toddled off down the road and I reflected on what had occurred, it got me thinking. The protagonist, without even having cast a glance towards Daisy, had made their feelings very clear and all it took was a low-pitched grrrr. Simple, effective and quick.
What if we humans could adopt the same mode of communication? Say, for example, you were in a supermarket and in a hurry, and someone was hovering around an aisle, taking a wee bit too long choosing an item? Simply let out a low-pitched growl and watch how fast they then make their decision and move on sharpish. You walk down a busy street with an annoying couple and their two children taking up the entire pavement. A quick grrrr and, trust me, your path will clear. Try it. I think you might just be delighted by the outcome.
It is getting cold again and, equally as dispiriting, the days are becoming shorter. On the flip side, I might be able to now debut my new, expensive (for me) rain coat, bought back in early summer in the expectation that we would experience a typically Scottish summer: dreich, cloudy, windy and rainy.
However, the coat has not yet been worn, with the weather in the main being surprisingly warm and dry over the last few months, and very little rain having fallen on the capital (apart, that is, from a couple of mid-summer flash floods). This makes me wonder if I might just being taking it a wee bit too far in cursing the conditions. If only I lived in Glasgow, I would have had my money's worth of use by now.
I have to go now, that's my wife Karen calling me to complete some task or other. Grrrr...
Frank Eardley
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