ASKING IS BETTER

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on May 2017

The morning doves on the branch of the tree coo as the sun shines in the background. Baby was standing watching the beams of sun as they caught a feather falling to the ground. “Could this be the start of spring with families building nests to raise their young?†Baby thought to himself. Just then he looked over and Jake was doing the same.
“Birds gather whatever they can to make their nest, don’t they Jake?â€
“Yep. The feather that some bird doesn’t need any more becomes part of a soft nest for the new arrivals. They even use our fur after we get brushed out by our owners.â€
“Oh Havier, I didn’t see you there. Spring is always fun but we know what to expect.†replied Baby.
“Expect what Baby?â€
“Oh, you know Joseph, the family that comes each spring and lives above where you sleep.â€
“Baby. The day hasn’t even started and it is already off to a bad start.â€
“I didn’t mean to upset you Joseph, but we all know they are coming.â€
“I have lived with them all these years, so what’s another one in the realm of life.â€
“Joseph, was that you speaking those words? For a minute there it sounded so mature.â€
“There you go Annie, you never know do ya!â€
“This time I have to hand it to you Joseph, but it still surprised me.â€
“Me too Annie.†replied Baby.
“I am like a chameleon sometimes.†and before anyone could say a word Joseph disappeared behind the hay stack. As fast as he left he was back.
“Our owner just put some of that sweet hay outside. Now, doesn’t that mean spring is here when the loft is getting cleaned?â€
“I hope they respect our space up there because that is our home.†shouted Momma Kitty as she walked out the front door.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about Momma Kitty. We have good owners!†yelled Baby.
“Let’s go everyone. Let’s fill up our bellies!â€
“Don’t have to tell us twice Havier, let’s go.†answered Baby.
It was almost like having that special meal at Christmas when the remnants of the hay come out of the loft each spring. Everyone was eating very slowly so they could enjoy every bit, when suddenly, Havier stopped eating and looked out on the pasture.
“What’s wrong Havier? You can’t be full yet, are you?â€
“No Jake, I am not, but I thought I saw something moving just below the little hill. Did anyone tell you they were passing through?â€
Everyone shook their heads no
“Maybe I was just seeing things….. â€
“You are right and they would have yelled out to us to let us know they were passing through.†replied Jake.
“Like the family of Geese when they go through.â€
“You got it Baby. This is so good.â€
A few second later Havier saw it again and started moving towards the pasture. Within seconds he was in a full gallop. His ears were pinned so closely to his head that it looked like they weren’t there.
“Havier, what is happening!!†shouted Jake.
“Get the Little Ones in the barn.†was the answer that Jake received and without a second thought he did as Havier wanted. After everyone was safely inside and told to stay, Jake stepped just outside the door to see what was going on. He could see that Havier was in the zone of protecting their home.
“Don’t you know you can’t just come into someone’s home without having permission to do that?†shouted Havier loud enough that Jake could hear.
“Littles, I have to go where Havier is. Now listen to me. You can stand here in the doorway but don’t take another step, do you hear what I am saying?â€
“Yes, Jake, we understand.†answered Baby who was quite worried but he also knew that Havier and Jake would protect them.
“I am not kidding either, Littles.†replied Jake as he left to assist Havier.
As Jake got closer he could see that it was a big dog. He could see that Havier continued to challenge - not to hurt, but to warn him.
“It’s okay Jake, I am just giving a warning not to come into our home again without asking.â€
“I am going ….. I am going.†yelled the dog as he crawled under the fence.
“Hey! Leave my brother alone!†shouted another dog.
Havier stopped by the fence and looked at the other dog.
“I was not going to hurt your brother. I wanted to teach him that he just can’t walk into our home without asking. I don’t think you would like it if we started eating the grass on your lawn and leaving big holes from our hoofs.â€
“I didn’t know that was your home, it’s just a field.†said the first dog.
“Oh, I see! Well, to you it may look like that but to all of us, it is our home. We have lots of friends that stop by and they all let us know when they are passing through and that is respect.†replied Havier.
“I am sorry but I didn’t know. I won’t do it again I promise and that goes for both of us. The next time our owner brings us this way we will respect your home.â€
“We will accept your apology and, also the promise not to do it again. All it takes is letting us know. We are a family of 5 and 3 cats that call this home.†With that, Havier turned and started back towards the barn with Jake by his side.
“Havier, I couldn’t have done any better than you did. I am proud of you.â€
“Thanks Jake. I feel a little guilty when it comes to things outside of the barn. You have been the one to look after things. When I thought about this being our home I knew I had to do something.â€
“Havier, I would have done the same.â€
When everyone was back together they stood on top of the little hill watching the dogs leave.
“Havier, we don’t know what happened in the pasture because we were told to stay inside, but what we do know is that at the end of the day you kept us safe.â€
Just then Momma Kitty and the kids came through the door.
“Anything of interest, happen while we were gone?â€
“Well, it depends on what you call interesting Momma Kitty.†Joseph answered while the others kind of smiled.

Hi everyone. We hope you enjoyed this adventure because we learned so much. Respecting each other
is very important. You have to stop and think, “how would you feel if someone took something of yours without asking.â€
See you next time and stay safe.
Baby, Joseph, Little Annie, Havier, Jake and Catsville