Baird had noticed the way her lilac eyes flicked over his fur, and then over the quolls. He raised his arms and ushered the young pups onto his broad shoulders where they curled themselves against his neck. He retained the grin and raised his hand-paws, as if to defend himself from physical attack, as she blurted out that she wasn't a 'young'un'. He laughed and let his tail flick slowly from side to side behind him. "No offence meant Ma'am. You're a regular granny, obviously." Playful sarcasm dripped from his words and he descended into laughter for a few moments, Gelar didn't quite understand the meaning behind the laughter but couldn't help joining in, his loud cackle reverberating out across the lake.
His laughter was cut off when she asked her question, he was stunned into silence, Gelars cackle continuing for a beat until the bird stopped as well. He chuckled and shook his head, "Rats? They ain't rats Ma'am. These little rippers are Tiger Quolls. They come from Australia, just like me." As he was speaking the little female pup clambered over his head, wriggling between his ears until she slid down onto the top of his muzzle. Baird grinned and plucked the small animal from his face, giving her a quick stroke and a chuck under the chin before he held her out to the smaller canine. "Do ya wanna hold her? She's real soft and she loves a cuddle." The quoll gave him a scared look before tightening her resolve and boldly reaching out to the russet female before her, begging for a cuddle.
Photo courtesy of pierre pouliquin
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