HOME
BREEDER GUIDE: HOW TO CHOOSE ONE
VISIT KELLEY: ONLY SOLID BC ON THE NET
VISIT SKYLER: NEWT'S BI-BLUE SHELTIE PAL
VISIT PIPER: OUR FIRST HERDING DOG
Add your dog's site to these cool Lists
Let
it be known that no squirrels were injured in the writing of
this story. Newt will never be
allowed to catch the squirrel.
So please read this with a sense
of humor. Thank you.
Newt and the squirrel have a constant battle over WHO owns the trees, grass and whatever else is around our yard, both front and back. Newt, being older than the squirrel and of a higher species, believes every bit of acreage is his and no less. The squirrel, being of the natural order of things, is certain the whole blooming neighborhood belongs to him and no less. Who but the squirrel has access to every yard and can leap from tree to tree without touching the ground?? Reveling in such acrobatic feats, the squirrel knows he has an edge over the marauding Border Collie, confined to the ground only able to stare and rage.The battle over territorial possession began when the squirrel started making frequent visits to our bird feeder. Now this isn't any ordinary bird feeder dangling precariously from a tree branch. No, it rests on top of a 10 ft. pole in our fenced area. You'd think the presence of dogs patrolling the fence would deter clandestine squirrel activity, but not this fellow. He is a brazen little guy without any concern over four pawed patrol dogs.
Inside, the Border Collie kicks his paws in mock chase after his nemesis the squirrel, while he snoozes. Outside, the squirrel edges closer to the fence. He stops, looking this way and that, before continuing through the narrow opening of the chain link. The Border Collie still napping , rolls over sticking one leg high into the air as he snores. Back outside, our gray furry varmit, is now safely through the "no squirrel zone". He wipes his brow as beads of sweat creep across his little gray forehead. Back inside, lulled into a deep slumber, the Border Collie dreams of chasing the squirrel - little knowing his wish is to become reality. Unnoticed, the squirrel has climbed to the top of the ten foot pole and is now munching furiously on the forbidden fruit.
Deep within his furry little skull lies the most cunning plans ever thought of by man or beast. I know he has blue prints of our yard tacked on to the side of a tree hidden in our woods. Daily he checks the schedule of roaming dogs patrolling the fence line. Hourly he waits for that one moment when all furry (non-gray) heads and equally furry little behinds trot inside for a nap. Yes! Now is his chance to raid the bird feeder. To taste those succulent sunflower seeds, to browse through the array of finch seed, peanuts and dried cherries he has dreamed of from the day before. Slurp...slurp he licks his chops and rolls his greedy little paws together in anticipation of this forbidden repast. Then it happens. The Border Collie's owner, while standing at the kitchen sink, looks out at the bird feeder. What does she spy? A gray furry little villan stuffing his greedy mouth with bird seed. Everything happens so quickly there is hardly time for another breath. Quietly, she heads to the backdoor and eases it open. Our squirrel, sits atop the feeder, without a care or concern. Unfortunately, he has positioned himself facing the woods leaving his back unprotected.
Faster than a speeding bullet, more nimble than a tight rope walker he shoots through the house and over the threshold of the door. The squirrel unable to think fast enough leaps into the air with no branch to grasp and hits the ground running. The Border Collie hot on his gray little heels sends the object of his wrath sailing to the top of the fence. Within seconds the two resemble a clip from some old cops and robber movie. The squirrel foils the Border Collie once again as he scurries over the fence line unphased by the black and white blur streaking after him...only inches away. Gnash! Bark! Bark! The Border Collie with eyes gleaming and teeth glistening rails against the fence that bars his passage. The squirrel safe in a tall tree pants heavily and marks off yet another escape from the jaws of no return. Whew! A sigh of relief marks the end of his day.
The owner now has the
door completely open while she hails the sleeping
Border Collie.
Shoot, foiled again!!
 |
The squirrel (as seen below) also frequents
the maple tree in our front yard. Newt, has picked up his scent and wastes
no time in scanning the branches for the villain.
|
 |
Into the woods Newt hurries in hopes of a good chase should he catch his nemesis unaware! |
 |
He scans the tree tops just in case the squirrel is attempting to flee via the" branch to branch" method. Newt secretly wishes Border Collie had wings. |
 |
Once again his gray-furry enemy has foiled him. Thus leaving the Border Collie alone on the ground, wondering why he can't climb trees!? |
Check out these awesome sites!
