Pickles LOVES his new dog - a three year old, black and tan, female Doberman, who had no idea she was to become Pickles personal play thing. Pickles was about to become her tormentor.

Here is a little background on Athena. She is a sweet, gentle Doberman who came from non-abusive homes, just homes in which she didn't fit. Athena suffers separation anxiety and has a fear of abandonment. Can you blame her? She shows no interest in Pickles whatsoever except for mild curiosity when Pickles is screaming and playing hard with his toys.

We thought Pickles would be scared and flip out the first time Athena bound into the room when we first brought her home. Pickles flipped out all right. He was tripping over himself and falling off branches in his haste to get close to her. He was beside himself with anticipation and excitement.

Between flutters, trips and tumbles down his play stand, he greeted her with "Hello babyo!", "Well hellllllooooo there!", "Wanna scratch?", "Wanna potato?" He couldn't keep his eyes off her. He talked and talked, and laughed and laughed at her for hours.

The next day we all went out in the yard first thing in the morning for a spectacularly warm autumn day. Pickles was put in his aviary, Athena settled in the grass to gnaw on a knuckle bone and we sat drinking coffee, right next to the aviary, admiring nature while marvelling at our new happy family.

Pickles was once again infatuated with Athena and did his best to get her attention, stopping only long enough to heckle neighbours and passer-by's, much to our embarrassment. Pickles loves to invite people to supper, offer a wide variety of snacks, call them names and wolf whistle. But it's like finding Waldo from outside our yard. Pickles is not easily spotted and we're left looking like the guilty culprits. But I digress.

Athena finally heads in Pickles' direction. Pickles comes lower and closer to the aviary screen. Athena squats to pee, causing Pickles to shout with glee … "Water! Gurgle gurgle. Fresh water!" This is amazing to Pickles and he does circles and head bobs on his perch. "Fresh water! Fresh water!" Now Athena can't walk past the aviary without Pickles asking "Fresh water?"

Athena spots a neighbors dog and won't stop barking at the intruder. The first loud barrage causes Pickles to lose his perch grip and he flips upside down on his branch. He hangs there like a stunned bat. Once he regains his senses, he starts beating his wings, upside down, and screaming that bone chilling parrot scream. Athena flinches and stops barking long enough to glance at Pickles. Detecting no real danger, she continues to bark. Pickles hollers "Stop it!!" Coincidence or not, Athena stops.

Later on, Pickles is tucked up and fluffed with those cute little puffy cheeks. Athena wanders next to him, squats and produces a big pile of diarrhea poop. Pickles transformed from a fluff ball to long and sleek in the bat of an eye. He whipped his head toward us as if to say "Did you see that?!" looked back at the steaming pile and asked "Pudding??" to which I drenched the back of my husband's head with my mouthful of coffee. He carried on … "Pudding??" "WANT PUDDING!!!!!!!!!" I guess Pickles thought me lucky because the whole time I was cleaning it up; he was commenting "mmmmmmmmm".

That was the last time we were all outside together, as a chilly autumn began to creep in. All family activities are conducted indoors now. Neil is off work for the winter and I am working four days a week. On one particular work day, Neil was preparing dinner and I was expected home about a half an hour later. Suddenly Pickles announces "Mamma's home." Athena leaps from the couch and runs to the window barking. Neil is quick on her heels and they both stand looking out the window, Neil thinking it odd that I'm home so early. When he doesn't see my car, he realizes he's been duped. Athena is still positive that I am arriving - after all, the bird said so. She won't stop barking and Pickles orders her "Stop it! Just stop it!" Athena keeps barking, Pickles keeps shouting at her. Finally Neil gets her to settle back down and he goes back to cooking dinner.

Moments later, Pickles hollers "Mamma's home!!" Athena jumps up barking, Neil runs into the living room and they both stand staring out the window. Psyche. Neil catches on, but Athena can't believe a bird could lie so she keeps barking and barking. "Go lay down!" Pickles demands "Stop it! Go lay down!" Athena barks a couple of hesitant woofs then reluctantly goes back to the couch. Neil goes back to the kitchen.

"MAMMA'S HOME!!!!!!!" Pickles screams. Running … barking. Man and dog stare out the window. Bilked again. Neil is feeling pretty sheepish, Athena's not sure what to believe and now she's whining. Pickles whines right back at her, only he takes it up a few notches. Neil goes back to dinner, Athena lies down and stares confused and hurt at the bird.

"MAMMA'S HOME!!!!!!" Athena merely lifts her head as Neil rushes past her to the window.

I guess it's true what they say about old dogs.

Pickles' Aviary
Photo credit: Georgi Abbott