My dog loves it at the cabin. It’s like she reclaims her youth during these summer months, chasing squirrels and exploring our wooded shoreline. But her greatest joy lives behind the boulders in our landscaping.
A family of chipmunks resides there every year, and bounces playfully from rock to rock, scurrying into the crevices whenever danger approaches. Their beckoning “chip, chip, chip” is like a homing device for my 13-year-old rat terrier, who perks up from her slumber on the couch as soon as she hears it.
She races to the windows – Gargantuan five-foot tall things that sit just a foot off the ground. She has a perfect vantage point from there, to witness all the chipping and hopping and scurrying. When she sees this, the growling stops and the barking ensues – surely waking up everyone on the lake. Sound carries over water.
She actually got one once – poor thing. She shook it mercilessly and then stood there barking like, “OhmygoshcanyoubelievewhatIjustdid?”
She doesn’t catch them anymore, but she does give them a heart-racing run for their money. They mostly just tease her now, and have probably fashioned earplugs to protect themselves from her shrill and rhythmic bark.
And after 30 minutes of chasing, scratching at the rocks, and stretching her nose into the crevices as far as she can, she’ll give up and return to the comfort of her couch, resting up for the next time the chipmunks chip.
Though I shrivel in embarrassment as I think of the numerous neighbors that are rudely awakened by this morning exercise, I have to smile as I think of the pure joy my geriatric pet feels when she hunts for chipmunks.
Which means her joy becomes mine.
Each weekend I share moments that help me journey toward occasional “presence” — explained in A New Earth
Tags: Lucky, pets, rat terrier
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4:30 pm
just looking at the photos makes me slap my hip and jiggle.. I mean giggle.
9:30 pm
Kelly,
Your dog is too cute! The perfect size, too!
8:42 am
AHhhhhhhh yes, LuckyDog!! Sounds a lot like her also-geriatric best friend TAXI who literally flies out of her doggie door, down her handicap-ease ramp and tries so desperately to catch that miserable squirrel she spotted in the bird feeder. It sends her leaping from her bed near the sunroom window.
Apparently the aching front & hind legs conveniently “forget” they hurt at emergency times like this. After a few circles and don’t-you-dare glances up the tree, she returns to her bed (strutting, trying not to limp too much).
In her defense I should mention that brother squirrel is in full-flight towards the tree at the instant TAXI moves toward the door. That hairy coward needs a real head start!!!
Remember the tug-o-wars these friends had when younger and MAYBE more foolish? I bet on a good day they could raise heck with that rag again.
Loved re-remembering the ol’ Rat Terrorist youthful ambitions!
9:56 am
Such big teeth for such a tiny pup! If I were a chipmunk, I think I’d be scared out of my wits, too!! She’s a keeper, though.
12:40 pm
I can tell your gal is an oldie but a goodie! Thanks for sharing–BTW, please drop in and check out my Super Summer Sunday Sweepstakes. I’d love it if you could share some Caption Love with us!
8:58 am
My parents had a dog that could have been your dog’s twin – no chipmunks or squirrels to chase but he did attack the mail as it came through the mail slot in the door. Brave Defender of the House!
8:04 pm
Wow, those are awesome pictures! What a funny dog and entertaining story about the chipmunks!