A Human May Work From Sun To Sun....

 

...but a doggies work is never done!  For the last couple of weeks, there has been a lot of commotion around here. The town hired people to dig up some of the sidewalks and gutters, and to replace them.  Obviously, the workers had their own foreman to supervise them.  But someone from the street needed to step up and make sure the work was done to my, err, our-everyone who lives in the neighborhood's specifications. 

 

So, everyday I would watch from my usual perches in the living room and inspect their work when Daddy or Aunt Pat would take me for walkies.  I had to stop and watch them work, so the workers would know that the residents were concerned and we'd keep our eyes on them.  I figured if they knew they were under extra watchful eyes, they'd do a better job.  

 

The sidewalk looks great.  I was so tempted to immortalize my paw prints in cement, like the famous humans do, but Daddy and Aunt Pat said no.  But, they left these gaps in the pavement around the new gutters.  I can jump over them, but Daddy and Aunt Pat were afraid that the tires on their cars would be damaged.  One of our neighbors but some wood pieces in the gap in front of her driveway.   Daddy did the same thing, although he put more wood in ours.  It's much nicer to walk across the wood instead of jumping like I have to when we're walking and trying to cross the street.  Daddy's like Sir Walter Raleigh-the guy who put his coat over a puddle for Queen Elizabeth!  He's my hero!

So, after all the time I spend on my usual chores plus the extra time supervising the workers, wouldn't you know it, I have to become a flying instructor of all things! 

Aunt Pat took me out to do my potties after dinner one evening and she noticed I was paying close attention to something by the back door.  It was a baby mourning dove that was a little tuckered out.  Aunt Pat said that it was learning to fly and just needed a moment to rest.  Right.  Everyone knows when you fall off a horse, you get right back on so you're not afraid to try it again.  Aunt Pat didn't appreciate my enthusiastic attempts to get the bird flying.  But, the bird did, because he flew right up onto the top step.  He was just getting started, so I kept encouraging him. I got real close to him.  Aunt Pat thought I was going to bite it or eat it or something horrible, so she grabbed me by my collar and took me inside the house.  A little later, Aunt Pat saw the bird in the garden, sunning itself.  By the time I went out to do my pre-bedtime potties, it had gotten into the grass.  So Daddy went outside, picked it up in some gloves and put the bird in the front yard. 
They should've let me out. I whined and barked, but they wouldn't listen.  I was right.  I'm sure if they had listened to me,  and let me out there to coach it, the bird would've gotten over its fear and flown away.

 

I met him again in the back yard a few days later.   He had me chase him around so I could see how well his flying lessons were progressing.  Aunt Pat picked me up and put me in the house again.  She didn't believe we were just playing with each other.  After a bit, he flew away.  

The bird must have put in a good word about me to his friends.  Last week I found a mouse that was in trouble.  It had gotten stuck in the trench Aunt Pat dug for the edging she put in.  I heard it squealing so I tried to dig it out.  I knew it would run away if it could.  But, Aunt Pat picked me up and brought me inside.  Thankfully, Daddy was home, so he went out and freed the mouse because I wouldn't let Aunt Pat out the door without me.  Plus, two nights ago, I woke up and ran all over the house barking.  Daddy went outside with the flashlight and saw a skunk in the front yard!  I don't know what he or she needed.  Daddy took one look at it and came back inside.  He didn't let me out until he was sure it wasn't going to waddle under the fence into our back yard.  I was eager to go outside and get the scoop, but it was pretty stinky out there...even for me.