Strategies On the Seashore | LMAC Round 234 Contest Entry

In developing a theme for my collage entry to the current contest round, I wanted to portray the strategies animals develop to gain love and affection when more than one pet is present in the household. It was a pleasure to create this confrontation between two pets utilizing the canine in the contest photo.

If you'd like to join in this contest, visit: Let's Make a Collage - A Contest for All Creatives on Hive - Round 234 - ✨30 HIVE in the Prize Pool!

Strategies On the Seashore

"Come join me, Madam," Eloise, the feline purred, as she lay afloat basking in the afternoon warmth. She simultaneously spied the canine, Zeus, perched at the edge of the water. That look. She'd witnessed it numerous times since arriving two years ago to reside in the household. And it wasn't just with Madam, their owner, she came to understand.

She remembered. Living the rugged life on the streets after my former owner passed away had provided me valuable insight and tools. Most of all, expertise in securing one's attention. That we were friends, our owner desperately desired. But Zeus didn't possess the temperament for compromise.

The thing is, already two kittens resided with us. His attitude toward them was that of a loving protector. A tragic event occurred, so they no longer live with us. However, it's only a matter of time before our owner tires of his antics, hopefully forcing her to choose sides. For she hated confrontations. That fact, Zeus and I knew too well. If one caused trouble; we both suffered.

And Zeus revealed himself a calculating canine. His face of pure piety with droopy eyes melted unsuspecting humans' resolve. Then, he'd wait until our owner's backside crossed the door's threshold and the key signaled lock. He'd glance back slowly at me and smile.

It was then experience warned to head for the hills; or to the top bookshelf in my case. There, I'd watch him sit and stare up at me or circle until he tired. But he came to understand that I wasn't ignorant in the ways of deceit and was an expert in patience and strategy. I forced our owner to supply me with energy before she left, knowing I'd need my utmost strength throughout the ordeals until she returned.

Now standing in attack mode, Zeus did indeed flash a look of utter astonishment.

Quickly, he regained his composure, pondering whether to pursue Eloise into the water. But the owner was standing close by pruning some bushes. He barked incessantly, not out of necessity, but of angst at the thought that what he'd heard all those years wasn't true. He squinted.

They can't swim was the knowledge combing through his thoughts. He growled at what he perceived as Eloise's taunting. Look at her, he thought, she'll surely drown. And I won't jump in and save her. But it was what Zeus saw next that truly baffled him. Eloise was back peddling.

"The showboat," I hissed, my shoulders squared and tail stood high in the air razor straight. And look at our master! She's delighted as I heard her giggling in the distance. I dare her to join Eloise! Then I won't accompany her. If she prefers her feline's company, then so be it.

Caught in the middle stood Madam, scissors in hand, smiling. Several minutes passed. The owner glanced from one beloved pet to the other. Oh, dear, she thought, her shoulders slumped. I hope this won't be the beginning of another feud added to the smoldering sack of treats.

Zeus, sensing her dismay as usual, hung his head.

Finally, he surrendered. Let them have it, he thought. Score one for Eloise this weekend. But it wasn't just Eloise. I've been noticing a change in Madam, Zeus realized ever since that feline came aboard. Perhaps if a male were present in the house full time, I could gain more leverage. I wonder how I can change that?

Oh well. I have axes to grind elsewhere, he surmised, as his ears pricked. He jerked his head around back toward the house. Is that Blackie summoning me from across the fence next door? And a hidden bone I detect requiring a proper burial?

For my current collage design, I was able to locate a female, feline, and canine to portray the characters at odds in the scenario. The scene looks peaceful, but undertones of jealousy exist.

Below are my steps for the project. I utilized Canva, my design program, to blend the different type images. I began with a blank, white canvas. I then added layers of elements in accordance with my upgraded Annual Pro Membership that includes tools to remove backgrounds, resize, filter, duplicate, and reposition items as required.

^{Female with red cap among black leaves ~ Yellow landscape ~ White Dog - Contributed to the #LIL by @anibal-aa ~ Cat ~ Transparent flower petals ~ Abstract lines ~ Street lamps ~ Little Egret - Contributed to the #LIL by @digitalis ~ Two cats in a flower pot.}