Barking Mad

This short story is inspired by a recent trip to Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum.

Kiki enjoyed travelling, walking and exploring, so it was fantastic to be in Bilbao, where her master Reggie Smith owned a house.

She had found out everything she needed to know about the house and the garden. Now Kiki was excited about going for a walk with Beulah, a mongrel, belonging to Reggie’s girlfriend Bailey Mumford-Nuss.

They were walking along the Nervion River and up to the main entrance of the Guggenheim.

Kiki always believed she was a larger dog, even so she was only a little Yorkshire Terrier, so she barked at other, bigger canines. Most simply ignored her, some barked right back, others wagged their tails and greeted her.

At the entrance of the Guggenheim was a huge dog. Kiki was offended. Why was it there? Kiki didn’t realize her enemy wasn’t real. It was an artwork by Jeff Koons called “Puppy”. She barked at Puppy, but he didn’t react at all. It infuriated Kiki even more. She pulled on her leash and tried hard to reach the artwork. Bailey was amused, while Reggie wasn’t. This dog was up to so much mischief… Reggie called Kiki to order, but she ignored him, still trying to reach the other dog. With a sigh Reggie picked up Kiki. As soon as they had left behind the Puppy Kiki calmed down.

On the way back the same happened. Bailey had an idea. “Let her sniff the flowers.” Since Reggie had no better suggestion he let Kiki race towards the art installation, barking her head off. She stopped dead in her tracks, when she smelled the flowers and they tickled her nose. This was a very strange dog indeed. Kiki had never encountered one that smelled of flowers and didn’t even twitch. She came to the conclusion it was a flowery dog and no competition to herself. From then on they could walk past the installation without problems.

©2016