Speaking of Canes

Last week I wrote about canes being used in a scientific experiment, and I later realized that I've never told you about our experience with one. Thank you, Ronnie, for reminding me.

We have a Senior cane, but it's the short kind, with a straight handle. I had thought it would sting, but it turned out to be quite thuddy. It's about as thick as the dressage whip, but because it is rigid rather than supple and isn't tapered at the end, it delivers a solid whack that isn't as painful.

In fact, it looks and feels just like a perch from our budgies' cage.

So when Ron uses it, I usually think of the budgies and I start to giggle. Or sometimes I ask him if he's been shopping at Home Depot for wooden dowels. Often he uses it as a single drumstick, and taps out rhythms to songs that I have to guess the names of. Far from being frightening or formidable, our cane is a source of much amusement.

I wonder if a Junior cane might generate a bit more respect.