Puck's Latest Adventure

Puck and I just went outside to monitor the backyard for suspicious activity...the catbird has been getting pretty cocky recently...and as Puck was checking the property line for signs of intruders, I heard a rustling under the porch.

"Hmm...was that a rustling?" I wondered.

Then, I heard it again. Puck heard it too, and his ears twitched. We turned to look at the porch just as a cute little raccoon poked its bandit-masked face out from under the stoop.

"Oh, how cute," I thought. "A raccoon." Then, my thoughts shifted to ticks and rabies and everything in between as Puck, too, noticed the raccoon. He charged under the porch, a growfling growling woof deep in his throat.

The raccoon looked mildly surprised, ducking back under the porch as Puck barreled his way.

"PucknoPuckdon'tPuckCOME," I managed, rather incoherently. And, to my great surprise and relief, after a second or two under the porch, he did! As I grabbed him by the collar, he rather emphatically laid claim to a tall clump of grass, as if to say, "Ok, buddy, but this is mine."

In we went, and I inspected his face for raccoon scratches...none to find, of course, but I'm a seriously over-protective doggy-mama.

Hopefully, the raccoon was at least as freaked out as I was by their close encounter, and will decide to move on.

Robins in the doorjamb, sure. Bluebirds in the eaves, absolutely. Groundhogs under the woodpile, yup...raccoons under the doorstep? I'd really rather not. I just think they're way to interesting for the doggies to successfully ignore. Cute little human-like hands be darned.

Am I too over-protective? Should I just let the doggies work this property dispute out with their fellow quadrapeds? Hmm...no.

And on Paul McCartney's birthday, "All You Need is Love," is a credit card commercial.

What an afternoon for us all.

sum-sum-summer time

It is too hot to teach. Wednesday is gym day. Wednesday at 9:50. She has 'em for half an hour, and they can really work up a sweat.

Wednesday at 10:20 I pick them up and bring them back to the classroom...and open the windows.