Startled
Pavlov got it right I feel, conditional behaviour we never seem to lose
This one revisits sometimes for me and dog, but over time it seems to weaken
Last year we walked away from our previous life, only a few scars for both mostly external
We are lucky, many have brought worse things home
It was a different time not like now and we are far removed from that world
A nice life, peaceful, secure, and then it happens, that world comes back with a littoral bang
Perhaps when walking, drinking coffee in a café, enjoying life
We both react, differently, for our own reasons, own motives
All relate to seconds of fear, surprise, some shock
I jump a little, eyes darting, body tensing, reaching for a defence
Dog stands alerted, head seeking the source, ears like radars, nose aloft, a tremor of body
Of course so stupid, I feel embarrassed, then relax, dog accepts my calming hand
She returns to being just a dog and we try to fit back in, I laugh it off
Those around us who know give gentle assurance, and then it is gone, our Pavlovian gift
Until the next backfire, the next firework, the next hunter’s rifle shot
I am not truly worried, knowing that it is old stuff, one day I hope it will leave us
Feb 2022
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