The Little Black Dog and Cosmic Balance

It amazes me that our Little Black Dog has so many pet hates. A dog whose heart beats with so much love that he has to release it through the beat of his tail. Whose eyes shine adoringly at anyone that he adopts into his pack.

And yet he can hate with everything in him.

I had a letter to post and decided to walk up the hill to the postbox (am I not dedicated to my Skinny Cow objectives?). I took the LBD with me.

The postie (for those visiting from overseas - the postman, or alternatively "Area Manager - Residential Mail Distribution") came by on his motorbike and a little later I happened to be just about home when he recognised me. The LBD was ready for battle. His old arch enemy the postie was about to attack me by handing me the mail.

You might not realise how difficult it is to reach one hand out for the mail and control a frenzied dog at the same time. I'm glad the LBD is not any bigger than he is.

It has caused me to create a list of the LBD's pet hates:

• Rattling trailers or utes;
• Semi-trailers;
• Earth moving equipment;
• Vacuum cleaners;
• Mowers and whipper-snippers;
• Motorbikes;
• Shovels and brooms;
• Cats;
• Dogs larger than him (particularly German Shepherds. Why would he want to take on a German Shepherd? In any confrontation, my money would not be on the LBD);
• Being washed (he succumbs with the most long-suffering little face and body language);
• Having his rear end and tail brushed;
• Me going anywhere without him (particularly if I'm on foot);
• The door bell.

It's almost like there is some cosmic balance he has to achieve between his loves and hates. But then, how much would the hate outbalance the love?

... Approximately None.