One day Puli-Mum’s Missus came to our pen with another human. They chatted and smiled then started to pint at me. "They don’t look like any other dog I’ve seen" said the new human. "Of course not" said Puli-Mum’s Missus "They aren’t like other dogs. They’re pulis.

"If only they would open that gate and let me out" I thought "I will soon prove that I could be a true puli". Then - the gate was opened - just a few inches and I slipped through. As I raced towards the human’s big thatched kennel, Puli-Mum’s voice followed me over the grass "Remember son - ASSERT YOURSELF".

Once indoors I staged a really good show. I jumped on all the chairs. Ran along the window sill and barked at the birds through the window just to prove how well I could guard a house.

Suddenly I was picked up and carried out to a very strange kennel. It purred like a big cat. Although it had no legs, it could run very fast. Feeling cosy on a soft blanket, the purring noise sent me to sleep.

I was woken by the smell. All seemed still and quiet. The new human was eating. I felt hungry "Assert yourself" came the memory, I stretched towards the human’s food. GGGRRR!! Growled the human. I sat back quickly. This wasn’t right. The human ate some more. I carefully stretched again towards the food. GGGGRRR growled the human very loudly. Shocked, I fell off the blanket onto the white crinkly stuff on the floor ----- and weed. I started to whimper. It was all going so wrong.

The human continued to eat, ignoring me. I felt lonely and afraid. Her leg felt warm and I sat against it. A little later I was picked up and cuddled. The human looked down at me "I’m your Missus now" she said "you’ve got a lot to learn, little man." Suddenly, there in her hand was a piece of chicken "I saved it for you" . I felt reassured. I realised there would be more than one way to assert myself. We sat together in silence for a while. I snuggled close to her side. She leaned forward and touched the front of the strange kennel. It started to purr again.

"Come on Puli" said my Missus "Let’s go home".

Pat Murphy

Puli People

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