Lambiedog

Confab about the squirrel mystery

Preoccupied as I have been with my bone, I can't completely let the squirrel thing rest. It's hard to let go of something that has been so important to me.  My colleagues at the bluff seem equally bemused by the squirrels' departure.

As Rosie and I were discussing the issue the other day, I took it upon myself to go down the hill to search for clues.

   

After a little while, Rosie came down and nosed around too.  

Comparing notes after a bit, we found that neither of us had had any luck.

                                    

I hope that Rosie has a bone to console her.  Mine has been a great source of solace for me.

Bluffs post-squirrel

The bluff is not completely devoid of squirrels, it turns out.  I did see two of them this morning.  They were not excessively fast on their paws.  I surmise that they might be elderly members of the clan who were unable to make the trek to wherever the rest of the squirrels go for the summer.  I hope I am wrong in this interpretation, as it is most distressing to imagine that squirrel culture is one in which the elders are abandoned by selfish younger squirrels who just want to go have fun in new climes.  

Be that as it may, the squirrel exodus is doing good things for my social life.  I was perhaps neglecting my social obligations in my zest for the job.  Now I have been able to re-immerse myself in the hubbub of the bluffs, and have found it quite restorative.

Tonight most of the regulars were out, partaking of the exercise and the fellowship.

I surprised even myself with how how seamlessly I fit back in.

Where have all the squirrels gone?

 

After being temporarily felled by another seizure a couple of days ago, I'm back in business.  But when I went out to the bluffs to investigate the squirrel situation, the landscape had subtly changed.

The squirrels are gone.

Where did they go?  Have they migrated for the summer?

I feel forlorn.  So much for my grand passion.  I guess it's going to have to be a seasonal passion.  And that's assuming that the squirrels eventually return.

Some of my wealthier friends have gone away for the summer, to better squirrel climes like Colorado. Summering elsewhere is not an option for me.

I think I'll take up birding, or possible rabbit-watching.  Or I guess I could just work on perfecting the latest draft of that novella I've been working on.

But I do miss the squirrels.  We had a good time together.  At least, I did.

Neither rain nor sleet

In the course of my squirrel labors I am sometimes asked to take considerable risks.  Even when the assignment is difficult, I do not shirk my duty.  

It's a dangerous job, but the work must go on.

Big time operators

So, it turns out that there are some other guys who like to watch squirrels, and these guys have a sophisticated operation -- big artillery and lots of ammunition.

It's the sanitation truck drivers, who seem to spend a good part of their Tuesday mornings sitting at the bluffs throwing food to attract squirrels to come to them.

It's hard to compete with a set-up like that.

Nature walk

A bush....

....my nemesis-->

....a flower-->

  

....and a bunny:

The rewards of patience

Back to work

I'm back in business after the Great Squirrel Disappointment.

I could be going into an existential funk and asking myself, 'What is the point?'

But I don't want to go the way of bitterness and despair.  'Get a grip, Lambie,' I tell myself.

I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of one little dog don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.  

An unexpected squirrel development

Sometimes when you get what you want it doesn't turn out how you expected.

Tonight I found a decomposed squirrel at the bluff.  I followed my genetic predisposition and mouthed it just like I do my new toy squirrel.  I was having a great time until my owner noticed and was very upset with me. 

Drama drama drama.  She yanked me away, ran me home and gave me a bath, and called the vet.  Now we're waiting around to see if I exhibit any symptoms of poisoning. 

At least she didn't take away my toy squirrel.

Just a little squirrel I picked up