Anyone who hangs out with a jack russell terrier knows the meaning of dictatorial. Not that I dislike jack russell terriers. Frankly, I find them rather appealing, in a master sergeant sort of way. I especially appreciate their brilliant human management skills. It also happens that an elderly JR named Mouse runs our household and everyone in it. AARP should be paying Mouse good money to lobby on their behalf.
Madam might have seen this coming when she plucked Mouse out of a litter fifteen years ago. Almost instantly her squirrel-stalking little dynamo took charge of everything within range. Even today, Mouse permits no flimflam. UPS drivers and mail carriers beware! Grannies walking shy cocker spaniels had better gird their loins when they pass our house. Mouse’s voice might have lost a bit of its timbre but one shriek can still cause a full-bodied plumber to levitate. A case in point: Madam asked a house painter named Mort for a painting bid. Mort stopped over the next day, and finding no one at home, strolled around the house making painter’s notes. He then called and left the following message.
“Hullo, Madam. I have your painting bid for you. I also want to let you know that your home is safe from burglars. No need for that ADT alarm system. My point is this: if I ain’t been able to see that daug, I’d a-still been a runnin’.” Madam gave Mort the job based on his courage.
Not only does Mouse share some strongly held opinions, she gets results. For example, her yen for stylish JR sweaters produced her very own charge card from Louis and Luigi’s Pet Emporium. On another note, her hankering to sleep in Madam’s ergonomically correct computer chair resulted in Madam relinquishing the chair to her spirited pup. Madam now works from an ancient church pew she retrieved from the barn.
And, another thing, this elderly dog and her partner, the Fluff Muffin Cat have hijacked the queen-sized bed leaving Madam to camp on the sofa eating Ritz Crackers and reading Jo Nesbo crime thrillers. Good grief, I should be learning something from these developments!
What’s more I am. The slight limp I’ve been working on this week has prompted Madam to move me from the gelding pasture to a grassy knoll inhabited by a few charming mares. Meanwhile, that nagging cough I’m nursing should buy me a pass from an upcoming dressage clinic. I might even ask Ms. Fendi to add some distinguishing gray highlights to my mane. Who knows, I might even gain a little respect from those precocious ponies.
Anyhoo, I figure if an elderly jack russell can wangle a charge account, I ought to be able to lasso a few senior benefits of my own.
I used to have a little terrier mix who I think had some Jack Russell in her. She was just like that! She was also a champion at snuggling. She loved to sleep in the crook of my knees at night.
I miss that little dog!
Mouse does the same. She’s very sweet and loves people. Just mighty loud at the window!
You’re right, terriers are king – or maybe queen. They seem to have no problem bossing any sized pet around.
Mouse sounds awesome! We have a Yorkshire Terrier so I know exactly what you’re talking about with her being in charge and only accepting the most comfortable of places to lay.
What’s funny is we have 2 big dogs and the Yorkie and those big dogs take orders from the little one. They know who is boss!