Cone of Certainty

“Ah, Staff. Excellent work as usual with facial reconstructive plastic surgery. Delightful. In many cultures scars are prized as badges of honor displaying surviving life’s battles. You have my grateful thanks.” (© image)

Why can’t there be more Pinecones?

Malamute Molly snatched him up upon arrival, tossed him into the air, and declared “I love you, Pinecone!”

Pinecone grinned widely – thrilled with immediate BFF status.

Not one single frown or annoyed complaint of “Anyone could plainly see I’m a porcupine!”

No, he just grinned. “Everyone knows a nickname is an endearment.”

Not even a complaint about the quick surgery snip and removal of his voice box.

It was squeaky. Even he found it annoying, he said.

And he’d never want to have anything that might inadvertently harm another. No, never.

Considerate; thoughtful. Such a champ.

Pinecone and Molly have been inseparable for over a year – that’s a long time in dog chew toy years.

Others have come and go.

Pinecone remains prime.

“I’ll just lie here on the examining table. No, no need to bother with a fresh paper sheet on the table. After all the places I’ve been, germs do not worry me. Don’t worry I’m not afraid of needles either.” (© image)

It’s not that Pinecone doesn’t know when something is biting him in the butt – or that he just got the stuffing chewed out of him now and then

He’s just delighted to have friend and to provide comfort or fun (and he somehow knows which of those needs to be offered when.)

And always wearing that little lopsided grin.

A grin that’s slowly becoming a little more lopsided as he is loved so intently.

No complaining or limply slipping into victimhood

He waits patiently until  he catches Staff’s eye. Then smilingly, politely, asks for a bit of assistance: “If it’s not too much trouble.”

“Any little thing you can do would be greatly appreciated,” he says.

(Sometimes he has more confidence than I that everything will be set right. Brushes aside any qualms about skill level and the level of possibilities…)

Pinecone is always delighted with the results of the reconstructive surgery. (Staff is grateful he’s the extreme optimist.)

“Oh my, all the thread color options are mind-blowing. You must agree that I must be careful about that right now, yes? Laughter is the best medicine. Would turquoise be too much? Often wondered about a tattoo.” (© image)

It’s not like a one sided love affair – not even close despite the appearances

Real organic pine tree cast offs are rare in this neighborhood.

After a successful dog walk recon resulting in a pine cone recovery and rescue, Molly charges in the front door and marches directly through to the house to the back door – only pausing nod a chin up to Pinecone, “Hey, I’ve saved another one of your clan. No getting smashed by a car or mauled by a squirrel for this one” – and then out to the yard to carefully place it in the pine cone homeless shelter under a particular bush.

Then she runs in to happily tell Pinecone the whole story of how it all happened.

Pinecone always smiles and snuggles in closely – enjoying such a devoted friend.

“A tummy tuck? What a nice surprise. Can’t wait to show off my new slim physique to Molly.”(© image)

“Feeling buff. Nothing like a spa treatment to make you feel confident and ready to take on all the world once again.”(© image)

Pinecone makes the world a little better.

Who knew he was stuffed with so much.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

“Ready for love” (© image)