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There’s a rumble happening. It’s mean and nasty and you can cut the tension with a knife. It doesn’t help that our Yorkie terrier is the instigator, getting everyone riled up and on edge. According to Libby there are too many birds on our back deck and even worse, they’re joined by the biggest freeloaders of all—the squirrels.

Every winter my mother sets up several feeders right outside our kitchen window. The sight of these avian visitors is lovely and uplifting. Especially in these hard, tense times, the beauty of nature never ceases to sooth and amaze. Sometimes it feels like winter brings out more birds than summer. Red cardinals, black and white downy woodpeckers, brown sparrows, and blue jays abound.

We all love looking at them, this wonderful showcase of nature. Mom’s happy. I’m happy. Almost everyone in the house is happy, except one.

The other day I caught Libby barking and growling at a chickadee. I’ve never known a dog so territorial, so rigid in her world view, but Libby’s unlike any other canine. She believes all these animals—from the smallest finch to the burliest squirrel—are on her property. Chaos breaks out with Libby barking from inside, confused birds flying around, and squirrels running amok.

Interestingly, the squirrels seem to have no fear of Libby. They stand there on the other side of our sliding glass doors, calmly noshing while she goes out of her mind. My mother has tried everything to keep the squirrels out of the feeder, which can deplete a bag of feed in one day, but they’re resourceful and agile. Greasing the pole holding the feeder helps and there’s also special “Squirrel-resistant” bird feed you can buy.

The other day I was trying to work, and Libby wouldn’t stop yapping. It’s gotten so bad, I have to close our drapes so she can’t see what’s going on. Still, she squirms under the fabric like she’s sneaking into a rock concert.

I’ve taught her (sort of) the word “Quiet!” which she selectively understands. If she chooses not to be quiet, there’s another word for her called “Out!” She’s exiled from the kitchen. Of course, she whines on the other side of the door because she doesn’t understand. Libby believes she’s protecting us from the local marauding gangs of juncos, doves, and nuthatches.

Once in a while, something wonderful happens. The birds outside flutter prettily to and from their various feeders. The squirrels are well-behaved, gobbling up the stray stuff that’s fallen on the wood. Even Libby’s quiet, no doubt spent from all this security detail.

That’s when I breathe a sigh of relief and go back to work. The rumble’s over—at least for now.

 

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Comments(18)

  1. What?!? Our dog behaves perfectly (not)! But I agree, squirrels are definitely freeloaders.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Tom, Laughing. I don’t think there’s any such thing as a perfect dog, which is why we love them.

  2. I have a 125 lb mastiff and his outside water dish (it is a sheep tank actually) is his pride and joy. He can’t see it from inside. But he listens. I’m in Tucson so birds of all sorts still abound. When any bird chatter reaches a crescendo he demands to go outside to stop the kerfuffle. But the thing that really sets him off is when it gets too quiet — that signals that our neighborhood hawk is in the yard – that really sets him off. Our real battles are at our three hummingbird feeders. It i s cold (sometimes, down to freezing) our steady source of nectar is a well guarded and essential resource. Our pup doesn’t care about the hummers too much unless they strafe him. No squirrels here.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Nancy, Amazing how your dog picks up on when its quiet and the hawk is around. Animals sense so much more than we do sometimes.

  3. This story made me miss my Great Dane Lucy who was VERY protective of our back deck!!!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Gina, Love the name ‘Lucy’ for a dog!

  4. I admire your powers of observation, Laurie! And your territorial terrier sounds like quite the guard dog! Sweet post.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Roxanne, Terriers are beyond territorial, even if they’re pint-size!

  5. Someone has to protect you from those evil nuthatches! 😉
    I’ve only ever trained Old English Sheepdogs and they learn very early not to bark, except for one big ‘woof’ when someone knocks or rings. To let them know a large dog is definitely on the premises.
    My friend, who has always owned Yorkies, uses a squirt bottle. Which I find hilarious and which has now permeated my family (Only in spirit form as in, “Rini! No matches for you! *squirt *squirt.)

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, That’s a great idea, that squirt bottle. Hmmm… you’re giving me ideas. Here, Libby!

  6. My dog thinks she’s the queen. She chased my girlfriend’s dog who lives next door right out of the house the other day and he hasn’t come back. He is about 10 times bigger than she is and completely docile.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Rebecca, From all the comments, I see my problem is not unique! Everyone has canine drama.

  7. This is unrest I can get behind today!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, Oh yes. Can barely watch the news, although like everyone, it’s hard to stop.

  8. This brought a chuckle to me and reminded me of my last dog Max. He, too, guarded the back porch, viewing his world through the sliders. Unfortunately, there were also squirrels that appeared to purposely tease him. One day he wouldn’t stop barking at a particular squirrel that was dancing back and forth along the fence line. So I opened the door, he went bounding out, and the squirrel was so surprised that he fell off the fence into our yard. He was stunned for a moment, and my dog was gaining ground on him, I was worried that I was going to see a squirrel murder. But, no! Out of the tree flew a bird who started flapping in Max’s face, distracting him long enough that the squirrel was able to get away. Quite funny to see the birds and squirrels working together!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Jennifer, That’s amazing about that bird! I didn’t know different species protected each other. Fascinating.

  9. We no longer have pets – we were cat people. But we have two resident squirrels and a lot of migratory birds visit our backyard, many settling for a while and building nests. It is fun watching them, definitely beats watching the news these days!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Meryl, I think anything is better than watching the news these days! I’m much rather see the birds and squirrels.

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