Jyn is a fierce protector. Photo: Ellen Whyte
The sun was coming up, and I was enjoying a cup of coffee and catching up on the news while a cool, fresh breeze wafted through the window.
Tic Tac lay at my feet, cleaning her whiskers after a particularly fine breakfast, and Target was upside down on the sofa, fast asleep.
Suddenly, our peace was shattered by a volley of barking. Jyn, our dog friend across the street, was sounding the alarm. Not her usual outrage that signals "there is the postman, the determined intruder” or "there’s a cheeky dog walking in my street”. This was an emergency woof.
Seconds later, Inkie streaked down the stairs, tail fluffed like a bottle brush and yellow eyes wide with terror. Upstairs, I heard Tom say, "Shoo!” in a firm voice.
Inkie shot behind my feet, shaking with fear. As I petted him, Target was over, sniffing him and growling, hackles up. Tic Tac quivered with nerves, but she too had her hackles up.
The macaque was back. It had seen Inkie strolling on the roof and chased him. Thankfully, Inkie kept his head, ran indoors and the grille prevented the monkey from entering. But Tom said it reached in with its paws, trying to break through. Hence the “shoo!”
Poor Inkie was comforted by Tic Tac who gave him kisses and by Target who headbutted him and licked his nose. I know my old boy and remembering how he stomped up to the gate, ready to take on Polo, our happy Malamut neighbour, I knew he was offering orange protection.
Meanwhile, across the street, Jyn was up on her hind paws, making herself large, and barking with determination at the monkey who was now sitting in our tree.
The macaque looked towards us, towards Jyn and then swung up and onto the neighbour’s roof. Jyn watched carefully, wuffing shortly with authority, and then, as the monkey vanished, she stood down.
I was straight over and hugged my canine pal. Putting it together, we think Jyn’s barking alerted Inkie to the danger. At that moment, I really felt our luck. Jyn’s mum had planned to relocate abroad but it didn’t happen.
If Jyn hadn’t been on duty, looking out for us, goodness knows what would have happened.So I fussed over Jyn and then went back to comfort our furries. We closed the windows which was a bit uncomfortable and got to work.
An hour later, Jimmy from a logistics service provider texted to say he’d left a parcel. As usual, I sent him a thanks and got on with the work of the day.
A minute later, he sent a second message, "Madam, I saw a monkey (take) the parcel."I texted back not to worry to be polite, but was secretly hoping I wouldn’t have to fish for the new sofa cover on the roof. Thankfully, Jimmy sent a video of the macaque taking, inspecting and finally dropping the parcel neatly in our garden.
When I went downstairs, Jimmy’s van had vanished but Jyn was there, barking at me. The brave dog was warning me the monkey was still in the tree.
As I hung back, our fierce furry protector barked insistently. The monkey glanced over at her, debated for a moment, and then swung onto the neighbour’s roof. Jyn stopped in mid-woof.
Isn’t it odd? It suggests that Jyn sees our home as an extension of her territory but she doesn’t have the same feelings about our neighbour.
The monkey paused and then ran off, disappearing on the roofs.
Jyn stood down and shook herself. From her wagging tail, I knew the macaque was well and truly gone. I went straight out with a chicken stick, one of Jyn’s favourite doggy treats. She enjoyed both it and the lavish praise and I know she understood every word I said.
The very next day, her emergency bark roared out once more, just as Tom’s, "No, shoo you” drifted down the stairs. Again, Inkie was all fluffed up and the other two were growling with nerves.
The macaque has passed by our place for years, and it’s never been an issue. The poor thing probably lived here before they built these houses. But it’s always visited around just at dawn, vanishing when the sun comes up over the horizon.
Now that they’re destroying the groves down the road for more giant buildings, it’s probably homeless.
Although I feel awfully sorry for it, macaques are dangerous. They’re so strong, that one whap from a mighty paw might kill Inkie. They’ve also got huge teeth.
I wish the monkey and its family would be relocated to a forest where they can be safe, but I don’t see how it can be done as this is a large estate. So we have put plastic chicken wire over our windows. For now, the cats are banned from playing on the roof.
I was worried Inkie would be upset by the house arrest. Surprisingly, our big boy heaved a sigh of relief when he first saw our security measures. He was a bit miffed a few days later when the fright had worn off but I think he realises there’s danger out there.
Target still sits in our garden, but we’re feeling safe. If that monkey comes back, brave Jyn will bark the alert and we will run to get our old boy inside.
With Jyn in charge, we’re safe in the hands of her paw patrol.
Sweet Bindi is looking for a home. Photo: Shannon Lam/KL Pooch Resort and Rescue
Bindi was born in April this year, so she’s a typical Taurus, down-to-earth, tenacious, reliable and loyal.
Bindi is the sweetest pooch.
Easy-going, sociable and independent, this lovely multicoloured pup will be a great addition to your life.
She gets along well with other pooches and is generally calm – except when it’s meal time! Bindi loves her food.
This lady is fully vaccinated and scheduled to be spayed in November.
There is a RM350 adoption fee that covers these medical services.Interested adopters or sponsors please contact Shannon and her team via text or call at 016 233 3647.
KL Pooch Resort and Rescue (KLPR) is at Kalumpang, Selangor.
Visits are by appointment only.
