Molly
Molly, my neighbor’s golden cocker, was spayed in her youth, but she still gives off a seasonal estrus scent. She’s not truly interested in mating, but her mixed breed suitor, a much larger and younger dog, doesn’t seem to care about her disinclination to present herself. Molly, contrary to her constant companion during these heady days, is a middle-aged matron, probably a many-great-grandmother by now, having had one litter in her pre-surgical youth. Apparently, she loves her young blond stud’s attention, because when he is not around I see her trot through my yard over to his and then trot back again with him right on her tail, literally.
During these flirty times, old man Spike, who pretty much sleeps all day, comes alive, and follows the amorous pair around like a chaperone. Spike is a tall, muscular type of bulldog, with a broad flat nose and a language in his large brown eyes that ranges from aggressive guardian to trusted friend. He allows the boyfriend close proximity to Molly, but when too close, his warning growl causes Boyfriend to plop down on the spot, as if to say in his own defense, “I’m not doing anything.”
Today I don’t see Spike anywhere, probably tired of all the running back and forth in the futile game of keeping them apart. Molly, an occasional visitor, is sitting on my back porch stretched against the wall. Boyfriend has arrived and is standing next to her watching me to see if I mean him ill will. Satisfied that I don’t, he returns to his business. He is a polite young male, not rough or abusive, without rape in his heart. On the contrary, his mating intention is to spark Molly’s mutual interest.
He starts by putting his nose under her tail for a sniff and a gentle shove. She hardly reacts, except to look at me with a bland expression in her eyes, as if to say, “What’s a girl to do?” She continues to pant which gives her the appearance of smiling. After the licking and nuzzling of her genitalia proves ineffective, Boyfriend steps around and works with her nipples, nosing them like a puppy going for a drink. This maneuver gets her attention, and she turns her still smiling face in his direction. As if a silent signal has passed between them, Boyfriend momentarily glances up at Molly, and then dives back in with greater intensity. He nuzzles her belly and along her side, a lover’s gentle massage.
However, not much has really changed. Molly may be smiling, but her placid body is definitely non-committal. Boyfriend stands up straight again, looking down on her, as if in thought. He repositions himself and lies alongside her, his head next to hers. He lays one paw over hers, which she accepts, and on his other paw he settles his long jaw. The happy couple rest side by side for about ten seconds before Boyfriend begins yet another creative approach.
This time he nuzzles under Molly’s neck ruff, jaw line, and up under her floppy ears. She seems to lean into his caresses, although it’s hard to tell because her back is pressed against the wall and she may simply have no choice. When his roving muzzle becomes more insistent, rougher, Molly finally begins to move and extricate herself from the press of his bulky weight. She stands with her back to him and slowly starts to move a step away – not a real presentation but good enough for Boyfriend. He mounts her, which she allows. He squats on his hind legs like a circus dog, so that, as he locks his front legs through her back ones, he, not Molly, is bearing the weight of his larger body. The final movement is quick and I would bet all external. Boyfriend is satisfied and trots off toward home. Molly follows him about a foot behind with not so much as a turn of her head in the direction of her tail.
Spike sleeps a yard away in the shade.
