My Name is Vigilance

Every morning, as the elders of our band eat, I am on station. From where I lay I can survey all who pass by on the road bordering our property. It is a weighty responsibility that I freely take on for the sake of the pack; my name is vigilance.

  The human members I guard and train are woefully unaware of the many dangers teeming and hidden just beyond their senses.  They rely too much on their gizmo’s; fooling themselves that they have time to react to threat; it amazes me still how their species survived long enough to procreate into so many.  But, that is of no consequence at the moment. I must not allow my mind to wander or be distracted by minor events or quizzical ponderings such as that. Any distraction that would dull my constant scanning from either of two windows on the outside boundaries could spell peril.

   I have hunger, but I dare not take sustenance or drink. The spattering of moments to do so might be the end of us all, I cannot risk it.  I am proud of my accomplishments thus far. I catch every interloper long before they can create havoc.  Alas, even now the name I’ve been assigned as masquerade echoes in my recent memory. 

   “It’s OK Oscar” they hastily say.

   “Enough Oscar” their fear-laced passion implores me to protect.

  They bark human words to control me, but it is really to sooth their fearful hearts; unable as they are, poor dears, to discern the obscure dangers just beyond their noses.  Having them excited and yelling at me is just their way to vent their anxiety.  I know this about humans; they are a fragile and insecure lot. 

They are absolutely devoid of claw, heck they don’t even have very sharp teeth; totally useless in a real scrap; no wonder they feel so inadequate. I do the best with what I have to work with.  Still, all told, the job I have is satisfying and well within my skill sets.  And, I must admit, they feed me well; take me on adventurous walks; and let me sleep on the bed.

  If it weren’t for their irrational tolerance of those unscrupulous felines ever lurking in the shadows throughout the house, I’d deem that I had it made.

But I as I say, I make do with what I have.