The Thrill Of The Hunt

Winter is hard on Dachshunds...at least it is for my three...They love the warm weather, the cold...not so much. And for the most part, my two oldest ones really don't care for sweaters. I think they are claustrophobic and prefer the "all natural" look instead of being confined to a sweater for warmth. That being the case, it really hinders outdoors activities during the winter months. Well, it hinders most outdoors activities....Dora has discovered a way around the annoying cold, she has become a patio door hunter. Dora is a hard one to stop when she has her mind set on something....

"Dora honey, you have been there at that door all afternoon, let's go get you a chew bone...come on...."

"Well, you certainly have your sights set on something...what is it girl? "

Dora sees the squirrel she wants desperately to catch. I have news for her, that is one smart squirrel, smarter than average...See that play house? Well, this squirrel does not care for the tall, windy, rocking tree tops. No, sirree, this squirrel has discovered that this playhouse is dry, still, and is the prefect shelter for its home. He/She has a nest in there, and for the second year running...enjoys its house very much. Like I said, one smart squirrel.

And don't think for one minute this squirrel does not know what it is doing....taunting a little helpless dog is all in a days work.

Dora has not figured out that no matter how sly she thinks she is, she will never catch that squirrel. Granted, she has the patience of a saint, and waits and waits and waits.....

(and please pay no attention to the muddy paw prints on the door trim, it was muddy here a few days ago, and well...three pups racing through a small doggie door at the same time does cause a mess sometimes. And well, I just have not gotten around to it yet!)

Dora is fast...just not fast enough. And she comes up short each and every time.

I have to give Dora credit, she is persistent. She always returns to her hunting perch. She might wander down the hall for a drink of water or to see what everyone else is doing, but right back she will go.....always hunting for the one she can not catch.

"I'm sorry Dora, I know you are a good hunter. Don't feel too bad, even the best of hunters come up short sometimes."...ummmm.... no pun intended....really. "I hope your not too upset, at least the sun is warming your belly, it could be worse, it could be snowing."