Sometimes I know I have the dumbest pets on earth! Last night Dusty was getting all riled up about something on the patio. You know how they run from room to room looking out different windows hoping to get a better view? That was what he was doing, all the while sort of growling quietly. Well he seemed to focus on the area just outside the sliding glass door, the dog had joined in at this point. Now the dog was growling at something right along with Dusty. They were both standing, sides pressed against each other staring out the window at the same place on the patio.

Well it was dark so I went to get a flashlight and check this thing out. As soon as I opened the back door the dog runs out and right over to the "evil" spot. He is growling and backing away quickly as if something is lunging at him. I thought "oh no, a snake" so I went back inside to get the broom or "snake mover" which it sometimes functions as. Dog's fur is all up on his back, growling, barking, backing away........Dusty, (on the inside part of the window) grrrrowling, twitching his tail, eyes wide and intently focused on only one point. Me, a bit scared with broom and flashlight in hand.

I shined the light in the much focused on spot and it WAS A.................................. PLASTIC WRAPPER from one of those freezy ice popsicles! EEEEKKKK!! It seems the edge of this long piece of plastic had gotten stuck under one of the planters and the rest was flapping around from the wind. I picked it up and swung around toward the dog real fast and shoved it toward his face saying, "Is this what you're scared of, huh" ? That dog was so terrified that as he went to back up he backed into a wrought iron chair. He hit it so hard that he came up on his back legs and then fell backwards over the chair! I felt really bad. So I went to show it to him again and this time he ran right up to it snatched it out of my hand and ran off into the darkness growling. I have no idea what he did with it. By the time I got back inside Dusty was sleeping upside down snoring away.

Copyright © Tambra Jo Gwozdz
August 5, 2000