Friday, February 5, 2010

squirrels at the gate

It's been a while since we out put birdseed. Laziness, mostly, and the fact that up til this past year, Baxter wasn't really into the squirrels that always ate more than their fair share of our offerings. But news of the upcoming snow prompted me to refill our feeders, throw seed on the ground and set up a makeshift feeder in the front yard so that the birds and yes even the squirrels would have something to eat once the ground was blanketed with snow.

Little did I realize what a source of entertainment this would be for Tiny Chumley. Squirrels now linger a little longer on the ground in the backyard, hoping to snitch one last seed before being chased away by our tiny wolf. Turf wars rage in our front yard, with a seemingly endless supply of squirrels battling it out for control of the seed plate and it surrounding area.

Baxter sits on his kitty perch, entranced by the scene before him. Better than Duk Duk (shhh!), better than even sitting by george sometimes, it seems the little kielbasa could stare for hours, tracking the movements of these gray furry marauders.

Yesterday, an unusual event occurred, one would have caused tiny chumley to plotz were it not for the fact that every ounce of his primal being came into play. A squirrel, seeking refuge from that morning's turf wars, ran up onto the windowsill,and sat only inches from Baxter's face. Stunned, little kielbasa didn't quite know what to do at first, til instincts finally sprung into action. Baxter slid his sausagey body between the perch and the window, stumbling about in an attempt to keep up with the squirrel who now seemed to be taunting him by running the length of the windowsill.

It all happened so quickly that by the time I had camera in hand, I only caught the second wave of Baxter's squirrel encounter. Proof, neverthless, that I really should fill the birdfeeders more often.



9 comments:

Alicia said...

Baxter's Alabama couzin, Oskar, makes those same whines, groans and sharp barks when the bunnies and birds cavort in the back yard...just out of reach! Then when we open the back door and our pup obtains "super-doxie-turbo-speed", they still get away from him. After all, he just wants to give them a little kiss!

We are so over all this cold, wet weather. The snow and sleet really does send the locals into a tizzy and their marginal, distracted driving turns into pure stupidity. Duk Duk and Baxter could drive better than many of these people!

Good luck with the squirrels Baxter! Give 'em a big kiss!!

RILEY AND STAR MY MALTESEKIDS said...

Squirrels! Oh no! Well, they are good entertainment though. Have fun watching them and scare them good with your barking!

Luv ya,
Riley and Star.

Bludog said...

Oh we *love* the squirrels at our house. In fact, we would like to *love* them just a bit with our teeth!

Unfortunately, our bird feeders had the unwanted side effect of attracting rats, and now one has taken up residence under an old concrete foundation beneath our porch. When spring comes, I am going to have to find some guys to come in and break up all that concrete and evict that rat - that is, if Honey GSD doesn't catch him and "evict" him first...

That's the downside of bird and squirrel feeders in the city.

Anonymous said...

Squirrels--evil in a fur suit. Thanks for feeding the birds and stay warm! Kate & Alie

Alli and Frankie said...

Get em Baxter! :)

Fernanda e Pink said...

Squirrels in the gate ... we've never seen squirrels ... not have squirrels here ...
Pink barks at cars, people, birds, other dogs but not for squirrels ....

Lorenza said...

Hi, Baxter!
I love your barking video!
And a good barking is what that squirrel deserved!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Taffy said...

Love that little whimper between barks! Baxter has a much deeper bark than Twix does. Her bark is just ear piercing! I wouldn't mind listening to a bark like Baxter's.

Anonymous said...

We know that sound too well! Some days I'm glad we don't have squirrels the two indoor cats are treats enough! I think my two doxie's would have a heart attack being that their on alert with the cats even in the midst of a dead sleep! Thank you for posting the clip!