Monday Mischief: Something Ate Jimmy's Toy!

So we head out into the backyard to start our walk. Everybody gets leashed up and we head to the gate. I look down as I am unlatching it and this is what I see......

Jimmy's Cuz toy with its feet nibbled off! I can't imagine the rubber could have been all that tasty. That's probably why there are so many "crumbs" left lying around.

Here's a close up of the damage (sorry for the less the stellarly focused shot!).....

As you can tell by the weathered appearance of this toy, it's been hanging out in the elements a good long while. I tossed it in the trash and one of Jimmy's indoor Cuzzes replaced it.

I wonder which critter did the dirty deed? I regularly see squirrels and bunnies in the yard, plus mice every now and again. The tooth marks were about right for any of them!

The One that Got Away!

We had lovely, cool weather this weekend which made for extra-long walks each morning. We probably clocked about seven or eight miles over the two days and that's a good bit for eleven and a half year old Wilson. Jimmy, on the other hand, wasn't that tired.

Our local squirrel population went wild this summer! I can't remember seeing so many. Jimmy thinks each and every one of them is worthy of a chase......

.....even though he never actually catches them. It adds to the excitement and adrenaline of the walk, and keeps our pace nice and brisk!

Is This What They Mean.....but NCC*

*NCC = No Corgi Content

.......by the expression.....

Out on a Limb?

He's level with my second floor window.

The close-up....That squirrel isn't sitting on much!

Moments before I snapped the photo, this squirrel was dangling from his hind feet, stretched as far as possible to get one of the last few berries on the tree. He saw me in the window and sat back, ruining the real shot I was trying to get (of course!). This is an ornamental pear tree and it gets covered in miniature "pears". They must be tasty because Jimmy and Wilson scour the ground under the tree for them. Or maybe it's just bunny poop the boys are eating, left by the bunnies that were scouring the ground for the little fruits.

Monday Mischief: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Leashes!

OH! WAIT! Maybe we do...................

We really wanted to chase these guys off!

And we did chase this guy, but didn't stand a chance of catching him!

This time of year the wildlife activity really amps up! The deer above, and this cute squirrel were just some of the critters we saw out on our walk yesterday. Luckily I had my telephoto lens on the camera and could catch some of the action. With so many animals scurrying around, leashes really are a must this time of year!

A Rat Tale

Here's a little illustrated story about Wilson.....

First some background info.....

I picked up Wilson as a 14 week old pup at a big dog show in Lexington, KY. We drove about 10 hours and met up with Marla at the motel most of the people were staying at. After such a long drive, we of course spent the night. We went out to dinner with a bunch of Cardi-folk and Wilson spent the night in our room. I guess we met with Marla's approval and we were allowed to take Wilson home the next day. She taped up his ears, and said, "Here, take this, it's his rat. He loves it." His "rat" was actually a Kong brand small squirrel stuffie that had been well loved, chewed, and soiled. But, forever after, we called it his Rat. We've gone through several iterations of the Rat as they've worn out and gotten just too gross. Wilson is delighted every time we present him with a new one. He has a little dance he likes to do that we call "the bucking bronco". It is exactly what it sounds like, he bucks back and forth like a horse, all the while wagging his tail furiously. Pure joy and glee! Well, he got a new Rat for Christmas this year and that makes Jimmy mad! This is the one toy Wilson will defend fiercely and we are watchful lest it turns into a real fight.

Yesterday, we were playing indoor fetch, and Wilson wanted to use the Rat instead of his usual Cuz. Jimmy was a tad miffed but the game went along OK. When it ended, however, a power struggle ensued. Jimmy wanted that Rat and he wasn't going to take NO! for an answer!

This is mine. Back off!

Read my lips! MINE!

Too bad! I'm taking it!

At this point there was lots of growling going on. I stepped in to settle things down a bit. I took it away from Jimmy and gave it back to the rightful owner.

Ha! Ha! Jimmy! I told you it was mine AND she likes me better! Neener!

Wilson still wasn't comfortable with the situation and ran around trying to hide the Rat from Jimmy. Look at that glaring expression.

Try to take it now, you jackass!

Even with his back up against a wall, Wilson still wasn't pleased, and made a break for it..........

Jimmy: Do you really think you can out run me?! Really!!??

Wilson fled to his favorite perch in the guest bedroom.....

I'll just keep a-hold of this, thank you very much.

At this point, I had other things to go do than act as referee, so I took the rat away from Wilson and put it out of reach on the dresser. Both boys needed a calming time-out. Jimmy had other thoughts........

Just a little higher...almost...almost......

How do you like me now?!

All of about  two seconds later.......

OK, I'm bored with it. What can we do now?

Have a great weekend, Everyone! Hope y'all get to play with your favorite toy!

Squirrel Face