Sworn Enemies
So, Tom had just settled in for a quick nap when a furious bark blasted through his open window. Normally, Duke, his dog, was pretty quiet, but today he was in a right statebarking his head off since morning, and not just barking, but losing his mind out there.
Tom had already dashed outside a few times, but never saw anything suspicious.
He figured, maybe the neighbours dogs were trotting about, and Duke was just annoyed at them.
Thats just how Duke isdoesnt like strangers anywhere near his patch. No surprise, really, that by the time Tom stepped outside, there was never anyone about.
Duke’s barking could scare the sense out of anyone. No wonder those neighbours dogs legged it.
They didnt know that the big furry bear, as Tom sometimes called him, was sitting in the kennel. Tom always kept Duke there during the daybetter safe than sorry.
But once it got dark, Tom let him roam the garden. Then, as he liked to say, they brought it on themselves.
There was one timethree would-be thieves from the next village tried sneaking in.
Honestly, one lost his trousersthey got snagged on the spikes atop the gate; another left his trainer under the fence; and the third managed to escape by scrambling up a tree. Right to the very top.
The local bobby even had to call in the fire brigade, since that lad couldnt get down on his own. Duke gave them all a proper frighttheyll never forget it.
And, importantly, Duke never barks without a reason. But today, he was off the leash, so to speak.
Duke, thats enough now! Tom shouted, getting up from his bed and heading to the window.
Duke went quiet, but within seconds was at it again, barking up a storm.
Tom had no choice but to head out to the garden and see what had wound up his massive English mastiff this time.
No surprise, there was nobody out in the garden. Duke immediately settled down when he saw Tom.
So, what are you singing about, mate? Tom asked, grinning as he walked over to Dukes kennel.
Duke wagged his tail enthusiastically and gave Tom a guilty look.
He knew he hadnt let Tom rest properly, but he wasnt barking for nothing.
Even now, Duke shot a glance at the gate and let out another booming bark.
Tom whipped his head around just in time to see a grey streak bolt away like lightning. He ran to the gate, stepped onto the path, and saw
just a regular old cat.
The look on this cats face, honestlyit was so cocky, smug, and full of itself.
What are you doing here, pal? Tom chuckled. Ill tell you straight, mateyoud best not hang about, because my Duke He cant stand cats. If he catches youwell
The cat pulled a face, and Tom swore it even smirked.
Catch me, you say? was written all over its eyes. He couldnt get out of his kennel before Id be over the fence. Your dogs fat, mate! Feed him less.
Tom, to be fair, felt a bit insulted at how that cheeky fence-cat silently but gracefully dissed his dog.
Off you go! Tom waved at the cat and shut the gate as he went back into his garden.
And guess what?
Did the cat listen to Tom? Of course not. In fact, it started appearing in the garden every single day.
Just wandered around the garden, sat beside Dukes kennel as if it owned the place, acting like it was the boss and didnt care about anyone else. All Duke could do was bark at it.
At first, Tomd dash out of the house to chase the whiskered daredevil off his property. But no sooner would he return inside, the cat would come back.
Tom simply couldnt do anything about him.
After that little victory, the cat felt like the ruler of all the garden.
He even managed to steal a chunk of meat from Dukes bowl once. And, bear in mind, the bowl was right inside the kennel. Duke was lying in the corner, tired of barking at the catso the grey feline seized the chance.
Then, he had the audacity to chew the meat in front of Duke, making a show of it.
Tom saw it happen too. He was outright shocked.
So thats how it is, eh? Tom muttered under his breath. Well, Ill sort you out. Youll regret messing with my dog.
So Tom decided not to lock Duke in the kennel during the day for a while.
Not exactlyhed leave the kennels door ajar so Duke could nudge it open with his enormous paw and burst out into the garden if needed.
He thought, Its about time Duke set things straight out here
That cat was exhausting both Tom and Dukeno peace at all.
But, on the day when Tom and Duke waited for their uninvited guest, the grey cat never showed up.
Maybe he sensed something, or something happened to him. Who knows. Tom felt a little disappointedhed worked out a cunning plan and the grey one didnt turn up. Not the next day, nor the third.
Duke looked at Tom, puzzled, and Tom just shrugged. What could he say?
Maybe its for the best that cat isnt visiting anymore? Tom smiled. Its quiet now, peaceful.
But, truth be told, Tom was fibbing a bit.
He, well He missed the troublesome cat. Yeah, it sounds daft, but thats how it was.
And Duke had gotten so used to barking at his arch-enemy, so used to being outraged by his antics.
Now what? Boring
After a few more days, Duke started giving Tom meaningful looks to check if the cat was around.
How? With his eyes. Duke would approach Tom and give him that silent look, and Tom always understood.
Think something happened to our grey rascal? Tom mused aloud. Well, with the attitude hes got, it wouldnt be surprising. Ok, Duke, lets take a walk on the pathsee if we can spot our grey troublemaker.
Tom opened the gate, stepped onto the path, stood by his car, and looked around.
Duke came out beside him, doing the sameswinging his big shaggy head and scanning the area.
He even sniffed the air hopefully, trying to catch that familiar (and despised) scent of the cheeky cat.
But it wasnt easy.
The smell of manure wafting from the neighbours yard drowned out all other scents.
Tom walked up and down the street, then returned to the gate and was about to herd Duke back into the garden.
Honestlywere they expected to stand around all day waiting for the cat whod been giving them no rest for weeks?
Just then, with his hand on the gate, Tom froze, turning his head left.
Something odd was going down nearby. Tom clearly heard someone wailing with a desperate cats howl, and also someone barking furiously.
Within a minute, a cat dashed onto the paththe grey cat. Limping on one paw, sprinting down the dusty road with a dog, hot on his heels.
Not some local mutt eithera pedigree Doberman from the city.
Tom knew whose dog that was. Every summer (sometimes winter too), a family from the city would visit with their Doberman. Thats their dog. Apparently, the grey cat had tried winding up city boy like he did to Duke, but it hadnt gone to plan.
The Doberman mustve bitten him, because Tom saw odd reddish-brown stains in the greys fur.
While Tom was watching the cat running towards him, he totally forgot about Duke.
Duke, without even waiting for permission (something hed never done before), darted straight ahead.
Duke! Where are you going?! Tom shouted, imagining what would happen to the cat. The whiskered ruffian had already been roughed up by the Doberman, and now Duke would go at him too. Duke, stop!
But Duke wasnt listening. He sped up and charged straight for the cat.
The cat saw what was coming and froze, terrified, right there in the middle of the path.
He mustve realised his carefree days and nine lives were hanging by a thread… or, well, a whisker.
So what happened next? You probably can guess. Only Tom was still in the dark.
Duke stopped right next to the petrified cat, sniffed him thoroughly, and then
with something between a lions roar or a bears growl, Duke launched himself at the Doberman running after the cat.
He chased him all the way to the end of the street. Good thing that Doberman was quickhe managed to spin around and bolt, ears pressed flat.
Otherwise, hed have been in real trouble. There wasnt a dog in the whole village who could handle Duke.
The cat, taking full advantage, disappeared from sight. Tom watched his dog chase off the Doberman, so he didnt see the grey scoundrel vanish. Later that evening, when Tom went into the garden to feed Duke, he nearly dropped the bowl. The cat was there! Alive, well, andwith eyes full of gratitude.
He rested his head on Dukes leg and was quietly purring. Duke looked at Tom in such a way that Tom burst out laughing.
Sorry, boss, but I saved him, so now Im obliged to look after him for life, Dukes gaze seemed to say.
And this wasnt some joke.
Duke genuinely was ready to act as the cats personal bodyguard.
He even let the cat eat from his bowla remarkable act of generosity for such a big grumpy lad. Somehow the grey cat melted the ice in Dukes heart. Now, instead of sworn enemies, they were best mates.
And if you reckon thats where the story ends, youre wrong. Not even close.
See, Tom took the cat to the city so the vet could treat his leg woundit was bad, wouldnt heal on its own. The vet had to stitch it up, so after surgery the grey one naturally stayed with Tom.
Tom watched over the cat, and Duke wouldn’t let him out of his sight. Not long ago, they were ready to tear him apart themselves. Funny how life turns out.
Then, a while later, a beautiful young woman turned up at the gate.
Duke thought about barking at her, but realised it’d just make her jump, so he let out a cautious woof instead. Tom heard, ran out, and
H-hi there he greeted the charming stranger. Is it me youre looking for?
The woman wanted to know if Tom had seen a grey cat, or perhaps one roaming in his garden.
You see, my cat is terribly cheeky. I tried keeping him inside, but my Timmy always escapes and wanders about till evening. In the city he always stayed put in the flat, but now Im here helping Mum after her stroke, and hes like a wild onecant get enough of the outside. Usually hed come home, Id wash and feed him, but these last few days hes been missing. Im worried sick.
Well, actually, I reckon I know where your Timmy is, Tom smiled. Come through to the garden. Dont worry about my dog, he wont bother you. Yes, walk on in.
To your dog? Why?
Youll see soon enough.
The woman hesitated, but Toms look was kind and honest, so she trusted him. When she approached Duke and looked beside him, she gasped.
Timmy! How did you? What happened? she cried, seeing Timmys bandaged paw and hip. Then looked at Tom, Was it your dog who bit him?
No, no, not at all, Tom said, embarrassed. On the contrarywe pretty much saved your cat.
Saved him from what?
If youre not busy, I can tell you the whole story. Youll love it.
Tom told everything to Emma (that was her namethey introduced themselves while chatting), and she laughed for ages.
Goodness My Timmy drove you up the wall, and you saved him afterwards!
Thats me and Dukebig softies, Tom grinned. And you know, your cats doing well now. Healing up nicely, and much friendlier. Not bothering us at all.
Hes always been a darling Maybe its the fresh country air getting to him! Or maybe hes cross with me for not fussing over him as much. I have to look after Mum, teaching her to walk againits a slow process.
Well, youre welcome here any time, with Timmy too, Tom said, blushing a little.
Ill think about that, Emma replied playfully.
And six months later, the whole village was celebrating a weddingTom and Emmas. And, naturally, Timmy and Duke were there as well. Even the Doberman, the one who bit Timmy, turned up.
He recognised the grey cat and at first gave him a funny look, but when Duke caught his eye, he pretended he was mistaken.
Thats how the tale goes.
