Just Not Sure

  Sometimes it is really hard to teach an old dog new tricks.  Mr. PJ has come to stay with us on the Bayou while his family is on a tropical island somewhere out in the middle of the ocean.  The old dog was not allowed to go so the next best place seemed to be here.  I do not mind.  He is a good dog and I fully enjoy his company.  He is just not a Bayou Dog.  He is working on it but is just not there yet.  Maybe these new tricks are a tad too much for him at his age. 

  While he loves being able to run the hillside and take snoozes in the sunshine on the pier, the critters of the Bayou have him befuddled.  He is familiar with squirrels and rabbits but throw a nutria or otter in the works and he does not know how to respond.  At least, he has not had to come face to face with either, as of yet, but he has seen (and heard) them in the marsh.  His response is one of curiosity but also a bit angst.   Yesterday, Mr. PJ was introduced to a mullet. The fish was caught in the net along with four of its siblings.  They were flopping about the pier while the old dog slept.  One mullet flippity-flopped a bit too close to the dog's nose when he suddenly jumped to see what was making all the racket.  I guess he was still a bit dazed from his nap because, of all things, he decided to lick the fish.  Well, now!  That brought a look of disgust to the dog's face!  Not only was this thing noisy, rowdy and slimy, it tasted funny!  

  Seeing the reaction of PJ with his first encounter of a mullet made me giggle.  He is not a Bayou Dog, just yet, but is sure trying.  Our old dog, Ms. Ez, would have made short work of any fish if we would have allowed it.  Her favorite snack was the live menhaden that we use for bait.  She could hardly contain herself when she would see a net full of the minnows being hauled onto the pier.  If I said the word, she would jump on the chance to dine upon a few dozen of the little fish.  Yep, she was a true Bayou Dog!  Mr. PJ has a way to go yet.  He is just not too sure of some of the things around  here!