A further bit for you

As said, Socks indeed mellowed. Not a typical house cat by any means, but the malicious streak had gone with his boy bits. He was now fun. Our humans were very happy we were now friends, and even moved our padded beds next to each other. We got used to each other’s kicks and snorts as we dreamt our dreams.
Then came that awful day that Socks was cornered by Caesar, the neighbourhood bully of a bullmastiff. Caesar was well known to hold a grudge, particularly against other creatures. He had savaged many a cat and rabbit in his time. But he made the mistake of pinning Socks to the ground right outside our house.
Mitzy’s heart was nearly in her mouth. Her feline pal was in peril! Mitzy astonished her people by rushing out at full pelt, barking in fury in full suddenly not so high-pitched voice. Caesar looked up in astonishment as Mitzy launched herself up on to his back and began clawing. Caesar howled, both in shock at the assault but also in pain. How dared this little pipsqueak of a poodle attack him, why he was four times her size! He spun trying to dislodge her, to no avail. She cared for the cat that much? What on earth was she thinking?
Socks in the meantime recovered from the shock of seeing Mitzy’s terrific flying leap and rolled out of the way. But he would not leave his friend who was apparently getting the better – for the moment at least – of the bully. Then she finally slipped and Caesar rounded, his jaws attaching to a hind leg. It was Mitzy’s turn to howl in desperation. Socks flew forward and sunk his own teeth and claws into the front of Caesar’s legs.
Quite a crowd of animals stood, joined by humans, at the spectacle. Then the friends’ owners took control, out came the brooms and Caesar’s owners joined them. The fight broke up. All three animals were held apart, bloodied and bruised. Truce was made as the three waited in line at the vets place, more needles and even some stitches were required.
Caesar caused no more trouble after that, he was always on a leash and muzzled to boot. He changed, much the way Socks had changed. He was polite and respectful, especially to Mitzy; and the neighbourhood became a relaxed place. Whoa betide the wanderers that strayed into the small territory still. But Caesar was all bark and no bite from then on in.