Branching Out: How my dogs react to a fallen tree limb
TweetIn stormy weather, the wind combs through the trees like fingers through hair, untangling dead branches and tossing them on the ground.
In the calm after a storm, the dogs find our yard littered with sticks, which often leads to a game of “You can’t take my stick! Wait! Your stick’s better! I want your stick!”
Sometimes the trees give up a gift, shaking loose a large branch that has been dead for a long time but hasn’t had the decency to detach itself from the tree.
A limb of such length and girth offers challenges to Lilah, Jasper and Tucker. Too heavy to drag. Too thick to gnaw. Too long to claim.
Each pup expresses his or her own perspective when presented with such a tremendous timber treat.
Behold:
To Tucker, size doesn’t matter. A stick is a stick no matter how large.
Tucker tries to grab the branch and drag it.
To Lilah, any new item in the yard requires a close and detailed inspection.
Lilah starts at one end and carefully sniffs her way along the branch.
As for Jasper? He expresses his opinion in the best way a dog can.
It’s mine. I peed on it.
What do your pets do when they find something new in their environment?
You may also like:
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- Dog with Stick: Sitting just quietly under the trees
- Haiku by Dog: Stick
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- Sticks Together
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Big sticks make for quite an interesting day.
Both of the boys have to give it a good smell, but Pierre MUST pee on it. He feels that is his job.
yes Tucker a stixck is a stick no matter how thick :o)hope Jasper named the stick before Tucker got it :o)
This is hilarious. With our dogs, either Rodrigo or Sydney carry a branch to a place to chew on it; the puppies stare at it waiting for it be thrown.
It really is amusing how they each have their own way of investigation. If they could all together, we are sure they could have a good tug of war. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
How amusing! Love this!
:-D. Glad you liked it!
Hailey is always a little cautious with new things. She approaches them carefully, sniffs them etc. Phod will just go over and look with less caution. Those sticks sure look like fun.
We always have tons of sticks in our yard. And playing with them and chewing them never gets old.
Haha 3 different stick personalities! I love sticks but there aren’t any in my yard. At the park I always pick one up to chew on to stall when I don’t want to go home. Love Dolly
Very smart maneuver there, Dolly!
I cracked up when I saw the picture of Jasper, lol! It’s interesting how they each have their own personalities and approach to the limb. Haley would be right there with Tucker, trying to drag it off. Fun post, Susan and thanks for the chuckle today! 🙂
Thanks. Love it when I (and my pets) get to give away smiles.
MOL We luv Jaspers respawnse. MOL Weez not have any as we don’t go outside. But we do huff at da dead leaves and bwanches dat fall on our patio fwum da stupidly large oak twees out fwunt. MOL
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Well, you do need to tell those leaves who’s the boss!
It’s funny how all three dogs react differently! Daisy has yet a fourth reaction – she’s automatically afraid of anything different. Oh, she acts tough when she’s safely inside – she’ll bark like a German Shepherd at the new thing, but then when she goes outside she shies away from it until we convince her there’s no danger. Then she investigates, after which she couldn’t care less. 🙂
That’s how Lilah used to be — with everything. (See Lilah Becoming Brave and Braving the Weather and the Umbrella). Now she sniffs most everything, unless something is really strange and she’ll bark at it until I tell her to touch it with her nose. Then she knows it’s safe. She’ll sniff it and be ok.
We like to run up to it barking and howling and then give it a good sniff over. Sometimes I will pee on the item.
You gotta let the Thing know who’s boss. And in case it’s not clear, peeing always helps.
MOL! We like what Jasper did to it. 😉
Boy dog’s answer to nearly anything.
Very clever Jasper, it is yours now 🙂
Yup. You pee, you own.
Goodness, this made me laugh! Thank you … I needed that after the day I had! 🙂
So sorry you had a bad day, but glad I (and Jasper) could give you a chuckle.
MOL 😀 Pawkisses 🙂 <3