Earthly constraints

Though divine, Fearful Leader is bound by earthly constraints, two strictures which Fearful Leader for the most part suffers with fortitude but combats when the opportunity arises.

First, there is The Leash of Control, and although it is called The Leash, it has actually been a series of leashes, for from time to time a leash experiences a structural failure, and at other times Fearful Leader detects a threat within the Leash and succeeds in vanquishing that threat. Individual leashes are transient, but thus far The Leash of Control has endured, occasionally to the dismay of Fearful Leader. He feels as if it is legislating his movements, when the inherent nature of Fearful Leader would demand that he be given total latitude in his peregrinations through the neighborhood and in pursuit of his various endeavors (e.g., hole-digging, vacuum observation).

Second, there is The Gentle Leader, which we sense Fearful Leader finds to be a misnomer. Fearful Leader demonstrates his displeasure at The Gentle Leader by pawing at his adorable muzzle or, in springtime, sliding that muzzle along the long and glossy grass in an attempt to remove The Gentle Leader that is perhaps ill-fated but admirably spirited. Fearful Leader feels as if The Gentle Leader is not just restricting his movements but judging him, condemning his aspirations by yanking his cute little nose away from pungent detritus whose threat level Fearful Leader is nobly attempting to assess on our collective behalf, or by forcing him to spin his furry body around whenever he tries to move ahead and accomplish things.

These constraints are in theory equal in their power over Fearful Leader, but through our studies with Fearful Leader we have observed a simple fact: The Gentle Leader has managed to last longer in its original incarnation, and it possesses greater potency over Fearful Leader’s movements than does the Leash of Control alone.

But Fearful Leader is studying the situation and meditating upon it; we have seen the concentration in his eyes and have witnessed the intensive sniffing of his nostrils. Someday, Fearful Leader shall vanquish not just The Leash of Control but The Gentle Leader as well, and then his ascendancy shall be complete.