The Chronicles of Cinco

Xianning to the Group March 17, 2019

Mpaji met us first thing this morning for our walk. Cinco smelled her and rushed from the condo to the hallway balcony to look for her. 

Cinco - "Ah, I smell the delicious odor of soap, perfume, bleach, treats, and a touch of Emma. Our friend, Mpaji must be below."

We had a lovely time. Cinco took Mpaji to Daisy's corner. She sat in a yard instead of the Ice Vine, and we didn't hear any coyotes, so it wasn't quite the same. but it was still nice. 

We then took the loop on Reynard down to Laurel and up Columbia back to Mpaji's place (1.8 miles).It was a straightforward, fairly sedate walk. Cinco did great both in terms of not limping and not Snarfing Street Food and Drink. She walked past her favorite parking lot puddle without even a glance.

Mpaji and I had to leave at 9 to see our buddies Annie and Duke, so we said our farewells at 7:30, and climbed the hill toward home. 

Cinco, who had not really rested on the long climb, chose the yard of (what I hoped was still) an empty house to rest in. She was a bit far in the yard, but I gave her water and sat beside her.

This is what the Ring Doorbell Camera probably recorded:

Cinco - (flopping way too close to the porch) - "Ah, I so enjoy Mpaji's company."

Me - (sitting beside her and giving her water) "Me too."

Cinco - "We did not see Emma, however. You shall give her my regards if you pass her at 9?"

Me - (rubbing her ears) "I shall."

Cinco - (rolling onto her back after a long, long ear rub) - "I wish we did not have to return so early."

Me - (rubbing her belly) "We can stay a few more minutes."

Cinco (after a long, long belly rub) "I has been too short of a day. You have not even cavorted and thrown a Super Duper Turkey Jerky Treat in the direction of Mpaji's Cincomobile today." 

Me - (getting up and holding the Treat where she could see it) "You are correct. I have it right here. If you are ready to leave the yard, I can cavort and toss it to the sidewalk."

Cinco (standing up) "Shall we see if I can catch it instead?"

Me -"Okay -  one, two, three."

I tossed it in a a long, lovely arc toward the sidewalk and Cinco caught it. She enjoyed it on the edge of the lawn. Then, we trotted home, having one more adventure along the way. 

Cinco ran into her buddy, Otis. I didn't recognize Otis or remember meeting him or his owner, but Cinco sure did. Otis, who is a white pitbull/lab looking mix, was visiting with Vixen, and Cinco started barking at them half a block away. Otis broke away and hauled his owner down the street to see Cinco. 

Oh what a joyous time they had, both doing play bows and wrapping their leads around our legs. Those two not only know each other, they really like each other. I've never seen Cinco respond so enthusiastically while on the lead. 

Note - we haven't met an Otis again. Gotta ask Vixen's human about him.

When Cinco said her good-byes, she was still full of energy. She galloped to the gate, forgot herself and hurried to her Dearest Friend Downstair's door. Paced in the elevator and burst into her home with her final treat in her mouth instead of eating it. 

She's feeling good. I'm so glad. What a joy she is to be with.

Quick story I forgot - Cinco was digging and finally caught some sort of small tunneling creature yesterday (not a ground squirrel — a mole, or vole, or shrew type creature).

Me - "What do you have?"

Cinco - (sitting with the tiny creature between her paws).  "A tiny burrower. I trapped it as it ran from this hole." 

Me - "No, Cinco. Don't eat it."

Cinco - (looking at it intently, tail wagging slowly) "I'm not going to eat it, Silly. I"m going to play with it."

Me - "No you aren't. Let it go."

Cinco - "Just one moment."

Me - "Come, Cinco. Now. "

Cinco -  (coming and watching the critter scurry into the hole) "Very well."

Me - "How'd you ever survive in the Forest if you played with your food?"

Cinco -  "Tiny burrowers taste terrible. They are much better utilized as entertainment."