Hyena's burden

In the past, I’ve written about the canine family that lives across the street (see The canine sagas), scrounging out their lives as best they can, living off the scraps that Vitalliano gives them and the left-over favours they get from the neighbours. A few months ago, Hyena (the sly, black mother) was in heat, prompting curled lips, snarls and gnashing of teeth from Buster (the father) when Bilo from down the road suddenly started making an appearance and showing distinct interest. While the threats were vicious, no blood was spilled as the primal courtship unfurled, and in the end only one thing was clear – seed was distributed.

Then, a few weeks ago, Hyena suddenly disappeared for two days. When she reappeared, her teats were swollen, but no puppies. She seemed to be looking for them. She never found them. It seems as if the marchigiani method of birth control was once again practiced – the newborn puppies were drowned.

The poor thing – she lives a desperate, clinging life, she carries the burden of pregnancy … and then her maternal instincts are shattered by man’s delayed interference. They’re a nuisance they are, these vagrant animals, but at times like this how can you feel ill toward them?

The canine war between Buster and the Weimerana that I expected a few months ago didn’t materialize after all. It seems the Weimerana’s wandering habits were finally noticed by its owner, and so it was locked inside during the day. It yowled non-stop. So now it’s kept (with the German Shepherd) somewhere else during the week, and all is quiet on Regnano Street.

Or sort of. Buster took a knock, apparently the work of a passing vehicle, and he’s been hobbling around on three paws, his left hind leg taking no weight at all. It doesn’t seem to be getting better, and while he seems capable of hurrying when he needs to, he’s slowing down in general. There’s a sad look in his eyes – I don’t know if I’m just imputing it, or if he’s taken on a more burdensome gait lately. I guess now we’ll see how tough he is. In his favour, it’s getting warmer, and so maybe this is just his autumn rather than his winter.

As for Hyena, I don't think she'll ever shed the empty sadness that her eyes reflect.