I want to lighten things up a bit for today – I need that. I actually had this post scheduled for last Monday but our internet went out and I couldn’t get the videos uploaded. As you might know, our week went way downhill from there; so a little fun is in order for today.
After we moved to our new house and got the yard fenced in, the dogs found something new to entertain them. At the old house our main living area was one level off the ground, so we couldn’t really see well out into the yard. At our new house we are right at ground level, with two doors to look out at both sides of the yard.

It’s created a lot of drama. When they think they see, hear, or smell anything out there….they need to go out and NOW. Cricket and Luke get themselves pretty wound up, and Sheba just followed along, though far more quietly and calmly. The videos below are actually pretty mild compared to how dramatic it can sometimes get.
Over the summer it was most likely deer that set them off – though we humans rarely see them. One time it was a porcupine – not good – but luckily we kept them away from the fence. I’m telling you, porcupines are nasty rodents, but that’s a story for another time (luckily – knock wood – the dogs haven’t had any close encounters with them so far). Oh, and you may have seen the bears as well.

Little did I imagine that I would also be luring in another big attraction – squirrels! We have red squirrels here, and huge grey squirrels as well. Even when we’re relaxing on the couch, Luke has his eyes on the door waiting for one to make an appearance. Cricket doesn’t sit and watch, she just waits for Luke to let her know when they need to get out there. Though they were fairly quiet in these videos, Cricket is often running behind Luke squealing away. “Wait for me!!”
They haven’t caught one yet:
The Dadz used to get irritated with the constant drama, and it can be when you’re relaxed on the couch and they won’t give up until you get up and let them out! But mostly, I think it’s fun for them. It keeps them occupied and running out into the yard in hot pursuit is great exercise!
I enjoy watching the birds, so I’ll be keeping my feeders either way, so really, they’re keeping us all entertained through the long and often boring winter when we’re stuck inside more!
Sounds like my house, always watching something and wanting to go out.
Wow! – that’s all I can seem to say…. Wow!
What ‘drama’ indeed! But it’s always good having a security force! Could a doggie door be in the dad’s future? ????
I was the one who requested a dog door, but I got shot down. So I guess he’ll just have to suck it up now, won’t he? LOL!
I like to think of it as ‘incentive.’ 🙂
Bears are the animal that drive my dogs insane. They are nearby fairly frequently in the summer, and our dogs have a special “bear bark”. I hope that none of your catches a squirrel. Shyla has done so but dropped it like a hot potato when I screamed!
Oh, I hope not either – that is something I do not want to see! In the summer when the dogs are barking at things we can’t see in the evening, especially if their noses are really going….I suspect it’s the bears. I’m too chicken to go out and see though, LOL.
Porcupine?!? That’s one critter we’ve never seen around here.
There’s nothing good about them! The worst thing is they are not afraid of anything. I stood there one night yelling at one and throwing things at it, and it wouldn’t leave! That was the night Luke almost got to it…thank goodness he listened to me and didn’t go after it!
LOL Looks and sounds a lot like my house, though no barking here. Rudy gets very wound up and certainly does not like letting birds share his yard 🙂 The really big excitement is when the deer hop the fence and come close to the house.
Oh, good gosh, I don’t even want to know what would happen here if any of the deer got into the yard! Our fence is too high, I think….hope! 🙂
Awww … they’re just protecting the people who mean so much to them 🙂 There was a time where a tiny black cat would come around at 5am … you would’ve thought the world was ending. Bear caterwauled for hours! Finally one night, I saw the glare of her eyes and it all made sense. I guess she just sat there and listened to him serenade her (or it was a he that was mocking Bear … I go with the more romantic scenario). He’d howl even after she left … it sounded like a guttural, “HEEEEEEWHOOOOOA!” It made me so sad!
I like the romantic scenario too, even if it does have a sad unrequited love theme! 🙂
I’m glad you posted this, Jan! I love watching the “drama”; and I know you needed a break from the sadness of last week. Puppy kisses from my crew to yours – and hugs from me to you. ????
I don’t know what I would do without Cricket and Luke to help keep things lighthearted. ♥
We only feed the hummingbirds because any seed is quickly attacked by our crazy squirrels! Pierre LOVES to chase the tree rats but has finally given up on birds.
Luke wants to know if Pierre has ever caught one of those tree rats? 🙂
Nothing like new critters to provide fun entertainment!
Bet staying on guard duty keeps you very busy in your new house
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
At least the dogs are now doing something to earn their keep! BOL
I would say that’s cheap, easy entertainment for everybody.
You’ve got that right! Luke enjoys a good show. When things are quiet in the yard he watches TV instead. LOL
Our bird feeder started out for birds for the kitties, but then came the squirrels and now that is the main reason we have it!
The other day Luke was taking a nap and I saw a big grey squirrel scurry through the dog’s yard. Then I looked outside and there were two more under the bird feeder. Luke has no idea what he missed, but that would have created quite a commotion! I swear these squirrels are as big as Samantha!
We have had ONE bear come through our yard and it caused QUITE a stir – several years ago – Sammy came flying upstairs from the basement with BIG EYES and went to the front door to alert us to the bear traveling to the front yard. He’d seen him first…..thankfully the bear just kept moving down the front yard and away. Pretty exciting stuff but also a bit scary! Bird feeders attract all kinds of things – deer, bears, groundhogs – thankfully no porcupines around here!
Pam
I am happy to be safely in the house when our bears come through! I’m sure Sammy was happy he was that time too! 🙂
bears. that’s more than I can bear…. Phenny does the same… it is a drama and mark agreed with your dadz…