A Dog's Tail
I am now a big fan of Madam Secretary, but I wanted to look at some parts of the series from a different angle. Here is a quirky look at the McCord family from an unusual point of view. Meant to be a bit of fun. Hope you enjoy.
Now I have got to tell you that if I had been asked about these changes to my family I would have said no. I sat in the family meeting, I heard all the arguments but no one gave me the chance to vote. It is ridiculous, who do they think is going to be affected the most. I have lost my beloved land to run on, my rabbits to chase and my favourite spot at the hearth. I would have voted no, many times no.
Let me introduce myself, I am a black and white collie named Jake and my family are Team McCord. They would class me as their pet, but that is not the case, you see although they don't know it, they are my pet's, they belong to me.
So back to my story, my life was going well, rabbit chasing with the horses by day and relaxing by night. What I do not need is to be in the middle of a city. Unfortunately that is exactly where I have found myself, all because of that tall man in his large car. He arrived at my house, in his big motorcade and within weeks we were moving. The human's all had a meeting, they all agreed that it would be good for them but not one of them thought about me. Anyway, I digress, the meeting was interesting. Mom wanted to go, you could tell, she wanted this change but she really didn't want to pressurise the others. Dad, on the other hand, he seemed a little gobsmacked as if these changes were a huge surprise. The words Secretary of State meant nothing to me, hey I'm a dog, but it must be big, they all seemed to think it was a major deal. The kids had different reactions, mostly favourable but I have taught them to bargain well, I never agree to anything without my favourite treat being offered. So the kids, all of them, even Stevie who had already moved to college, made their demands for the move. I was very proud of them if I do say so myself. However the end result was that we were moving.
It appears that one of the biggest changes that I have to deal with is an extended family. I first met the men and women of the 'detail' the day before we moved. They are generally big, they all wear dark glasses, even on dark days and they are very serious, not one of them responded to my cute face and wagging tail – I was not impressed! So I made sure to put my very soggy tennis ball on one of their polished shoes, I'll show them exactly who is boss around here. Anyway, they were discussing everything from travel, to friends visiting. In all honesty I had zoned out for a bit, in my defence Dad had a very appetising sandwich on his plate and if I was very sneaky it would have soon been in my stomach. Anyway, I was pulled from my attempt at liberating lunch by the words, "and we will have to discuss the dog!" I looked up, to see all eyes on me; perhaps they were reading my mind and could see I wanted the food, so I quickly put on my innocent face.
"We are not giving up Jake." Jason, always my favourite, spoke up.
In the end, the issue seemed to be more, how was I to get exercise in this new house as opposed to whether I was coming with them or not. I couldn't see the problem myself, surely I would just run, anywhere. Well that dream was quickly shattered when I finally saw the pitiful excuse for a garden in this new home.
I apologise, I am jumping around again. For many days the farm was in complete chaos, each of my pets was trying to put items into boxes, often trying to move mine but I was on to them and each toy that went in a box was quickly liberated by yours truly. Apparently this was not me being my usual helpful self. So I was locked in the under stairs cupboard and when I returned all my toys were packed. I was determined not to be beaten but alas, the boxes, the family and myself were packed and moved, with a flashing light car in front and behind us, in remarkably quick time.
The new house left a lot to be desired. Stevie hadn't come with us, something that I knew Mom and Dad were unsure of. Allison and Jason had made a bolt for the stairs to try and select the best room for each other and I needed to see for myself. I made for the stairs, ready to launch up them, when I was rudely caught by one of those 'detail' people.
"Right pooch, time for your walk."
He did not look happy to be taking me away from the house. So this is what had been decided, I was not to be walked by my pets but by this interloper. As I did need to relieve myself, I decided to play along, for now, but if he thought I would bow to his orders at all times, he had another thing coming.
Once we were back, some order had been restored. The lovely rug that was my second bed had been placed somewhere that I could enjoy the new fire, see I told you I had them under control. The sofa had arrived and been placed and I promptly made a bee-line for it. Just as I landed on the clean, grey covers three voices yelled at me.
"Jake!"
I looked up, what could be the problem; I was always allowed on the furniture before. I looked down and suddenly saw the problem, large black paw marks. Now surely I could not be blamed for this, it is not my fault that walking along those roads outside would cause me to get this muddy. It was not like I had rolled in anything as I used to at the farm. I firmly laid the blame at the 'detail' who should have provided me with a towel and a brief dry before letting me into the room.
After that first mishap, apparently it was decided the new furniture was not for a dog, like I say my family think they make the rules really it is me. All it took was selecting the softest target – Allison, on a night where Mom and Dad were not in the house and voila, I am back on the sofa. Mom just gave her a look and Dad simply sighed, they may have moved me to this loud, dangerous place but the sofa was still mine!
So we had moved in, I had found a very nice area to run in and even had my old walkers back with me. It seems that walking hand in hand with me and some of the 'detail' was just what Mom and Dad needed after a stressful day, again I had won. Things were going quite well, but one of the most annoying things about our new life is the hours that my pets now have. The kids, well they are around as much as usual, and Dad he is actually around more than usual but it was Mom's new hours that clearly affected the family. Many times the kids asked about where she was or where she had gone, at times it was even causing arguments, something that had never happened at the other house. Even if I could get used to not seeing Mom very often, what was even more surprising was the late night visitors, they seemed to come at all times. One, an older man who had visited the farm before, even seemed a little insane and the worry that he brought to Mom made me want to bite him. Later I heard he died and Mom was very upset. I tried my usual efforts to comfort her but as was often the case it was only Dad that could do it. I placed my nose on her lap anyway to show that I gave her my support too. The late night visitors didn't stop there, what was so special about my new house that people had to visit in the dark, if it wasn't Allison's friends or Stevie's boyfriend. Oh did I forget to mention, Stevie moved back. Oh she was not happy when she discovered her room wasn't ready for her, mind you it was me who had to give up my bed for her – well sometimes you have to be the gentleman and give a lady the sofa. Fortunately, once all the boxes were moved, Stevie went up the stairs and I was left with the sofa.
Where was I? Oh yes, late night visitors. Somehow I always got the blame when informing others that someone was at the door. What am I supposed to do, if silly humans want to visit at that time I am going to tell them exactly what I think, I don't care if the person is incredibly important, they are disturbing my sleep and I am not amused.
So the new house began to grow on me, I had the place to myself during the day and made the rounds of all the beds upstairs. I much prefer Mom and Dad's. Jason's is hard to find under all his stuff, although I did spend a very nice day removing it all, Jason now closes his door. Allison's smells weird, perfumy, made me sneeze so I gave that a wide berth. Stevie's isn't bad and on the days when Dad remembers to close his door then her room can make a nice bed, but the double in Mom and Dad's room is the best. They have nice cushions for me to lie on, and oh the soft blanket, it's the same one from the farm and I just love it.
It came as quite a surprise when everyone started packing again, if I could talk I would remind them the hassle we had gone to in order to get here. They were going to somewhere with a Taj something, nothing that I would be interested in I feel. I assumed they were all going and I would be left with 'the detail', I cannot tell you my delight when Dad and Stevie did not go. Although that was short lived. I had rarely seen Stevie cry, she was a strong young person who didn't show emotion easily and only really tolerated me. However that night, I was her best friend and she sobbed into my coat, which would get matted but sometimes you have to go with it, I had never seen her so distressed. She was also mad, angry and really unhappy – at Dad, now of all the members of my family Dad was the one that no-one got angry with. He was always calm, always kind and usually tried to placate every situation. What on earth could he have done to Stevie?
I don't know what an affair is but it seems that it is a big deal. Stevie thinks he has betrayed Mom, I'm not sure. He is definitely lying as he claims he is working but I have seen him not focussed for many days now, not like he normally is when he is writing, usually I get the whole story – chapter and verse. This time, he is not even paying attention to me, time to bury something important I think.
Before I get the chance Mom is back, there had been a crisis of some sort, no one tells me anything, but here she is asking the question. Has Dad had an affair? I am surprised at Dad's slow answer, and pounce on both of them to get them to see sense. It eventually works out but I can see the strain of this new house is beginning to tell, perhaps it is time for me to convince them to move back to the farm. I must consider my options.
AN: Hope to add more to this, but have run out of inspiration at the moment. Will see what I can come up with. I do love the idea of looking at things from a dog's point of view.