I still recall how we found magpies attacking the bitch with its puppies. Among the litter only one of the dogs survived, a small pup protected by its mother’s body.
We took it home and fed it. Our old tabby Miss Pelt took an interest in the pup, and was probably the reason the little mutt regained its will to live.
They grew inseparable, largely because Miss Pelt’s war against the local gang of Magpies.
Now Tom has taken over, and he spends his days fighting the birds that changed his life. Almost a cat that never learned to purr.
Picture from Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Somehow its hard to avoid the fact that the dog climbs trees. I grew up with cats and they seemed to be at constant war with the magpies, and fought a mostly loosing war against these birds that could be quite vicious actually (probably with just reason).
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January 1, 2014
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Wonderful story Bjorn, beautifully told, we have magpies here who attack us in their breeding season.
I really like Magpies… but they are quite smart and independent birds.
Great story, Bjorn. It just goes to show what unlikely friendships can lead to. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Back Bryan
Wonderful story Bjorn, well done.
Thank you.. 🙂
Nice when true life helps us write. Good story.
Thank you 🙂
smiles…that pic is cute…he looks like he wanted to say…can someone take me down the tree now…? smiles… i like the story… a bit in the direction of hitchkocks birds…ha… luckily our magpies don’t seem to be so dangerous…at least as far as i know…
I do remember the warfare between our cat and the magpies… How they attacked him, while he hid under the cars…
Nice story. I love how the dogs climb the trees. I hope they do not get stuck up there.
I think they might.. just like cats sometimes.
Excellent story, Bjorn, a feel-good one. Happy 2014.
janet
Have a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious 2014 yourself…
Björn
I stand here and survey my realm, keeping an eye on intruding magpies!
Nice story, Bjoern.
Indeed. those little thieves can be most annoying
Almost a cat; I see that too.
Meaow…
I’ve never encountered a magpie…and hope that I don’t! Great story, Bjorn.
Actually I kind of like magpies.. but they are very capable birds..
I really enjoyed your story, with its power of a parent’s desperate protection and love of a good friend (in this case a cat). Tom is a lucky pup, and he’s stepped up to fight on!
Indeed. It’s all in the upbringing.
The last line is pure gold.
Thank you Adam
Magpies: related to Crows. It’s always the (supposed) intelligent ones that cause trouble.
I think that’s so to..
This makes me wonder how I would have turned out if I’d been raised by goats. Hmmm . . . I bet there’s a story in there.
ha.. well that would be a great story. There was the Jungle Book.. but goats..
Ah, so that’s how he learned to climb trees – brought up by a cat! I’m glad he’s staying in the family business 🙂
Indeed — must keep up the good works… a little bit like the Mowgli of dogs
Who would have guessed it’s magpies that have the power to unite us all? I’m smelling Nobel Peace Prize …
Nothing unites like a common enemy.
a very touching story. it could be expanded into a children’s story book.
Oh thank you, that’s high praise-
A war story! Glad for it!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/friday-fictioneers-blasted-from-the-past-carolyns-adventures-r-1314/
Thank you Scott.. stories should bring smiles.
I’ve never seen a magpie, but they sound fascinating, from what I’ve heard. I like how the dog in your story took up the battle on his own.
Magpies are beautiful and smart… but can also be menacing and bad… especially in team work.
Wonderful, Björn! Could just go on… the imagery is so rich, and the story so fantastic. This is my favorite so far. The last line is wonderful.
Thank you.. I wanted to make it into a dog thinking he was a cat.
You really rocked it, Björn. Seriously great.
And the war rages on!
Great story Bjorn. I’m so glad Tom survived. Those maggies can be nasty creatures. I can remember being chased by by magpies while riding my bike when I was a kid. Nasty, birds, definitely nasty.
this story made me smile. i agree it’s like an excerpt from a good children’s story book. woderful tale. happy 2014 🙂
Excellent. I like the fact that the dog joined with a cat. This makes perfect sense, Bjorn. I wish I would have thought of this! Happy New Year!
Happy New year back
I really liked your story – very clever to have a cat for a surrogate mom so he could learn to climb- good job!
Gruesome start, cosy ending. Yes, I too like magpies (all birds) but they are bossy bullies. Ann