Let Sleeping Dogs Lie!

As I sat on a bench in a car park in Cavan relaxing with a coffee under a rare ray of sunshine, a rather old Labrador was resting under another bench where its' lead was tied while his owner chatted close by. As I watched, a tuxedo cat gracefully, leapt down from the wall onto the bench. The cat noticed the dog and looked down at him through the slats in the bench and proceeded to stick his paws and claws down to disturb him. The dog lifted his head up from under the bench to see what was striking him. Straight away the cat extended his claws aiming for the soft, wet nose of the dog who growled and strained to get away from the cat. The owner came to his rescue.

It was instinctive and wise of the dog to get away as while a cat is much smaller than he, as the cat has twenty sharp and fast swiping knives hidden in his soft paws ready for rapid attack or to tease! It was a Tom and Jerry scenario! The cat was probably being territorial and clearing space to lie on the sunbed of the bench! It was all about the cat!

There's a bit of a cat in all of us, as we are all capable of extending claws for a territorial scratch without due consideration for what might be going on in someone else's day or life! As age was not in the dog's favour in terms of strength or agility, there are people in our everyday experience who don't have the strength or agility to deal with unnecessary hassle. There are days that can weigh heavily for anyone while appearances are worn like masks. There are times when we can strike impulsively and regret the consequent action almost immediately!

Personally, I try to avoid causes of regret - I don't always succeed and consequently have bridges to build at times! Currently, there are many causes of stress, anxiety and concern in our world and enough external claw-like stimulants of upset without us adding to them! The dog was merely sleeping! The cat could have shared the space and both enjoyed the sunshine! Perhaps today could be the day we don't major on minors!

Cathy Burke
Catechist in the Lucan Partnership of Parishes