Cardinals Win - Squirrels Lose

 Squirrels feel entitled.

Readers remember that I changed the bird-feeder configuration to outsmart the squirrels, who used the platform feeder and the squirrel-proof (sic) feeder to reach the two hanging sunflower seed feeders.

I was only partially successful, which will surprise no one. The squirrels began using the screen, hanging on by their toes, to reach and hold onto one hanging feeder. The second feeder was reachable from the brick wall, but not so easily grabbed and held.

Seeing a mature squirrel stretched from the window screen to the hanging feeder, keeping the birds away, I went looking for screen-removal tools. Unlike most handyman ventures, I did not break anything this time as I popped the screen out.

I moved the screen to the Great Room (formerly the garage) and came back to hear sweet words - "The squirrel is having a meltdown on the window sill."

Soon after, one squirrel was gamely trying to get a sunflower seeds while a male cardinal sat majestically on the central feeder, calming enjoying his seeds, out of reach.

 "Yer eating my food!"

Sassy's New Song a Howling Success

 Photofunia by Norma Boeckler.

I taught Sassy two songs previously. I prompted her to howl during The Cattle Dog Blues.

She gladly barked along to Waltzing Matilda, the Australian song that has nothing to do with a girl or waltzing. Sassy is half-Australian, so I wanted her to learn her culture. She is also half-German, but we don't sing Deutschland, Deutschland, Ueber Alles.





After hearing Jackie Evancho sing God Bless America so beautifully, I came up with a new Sassy song. I didn't prompt her at all, but she added her howls to the climax, sticking her muzzle in the air.

Later the same day, she wanted the song sung twice more.

God Bless Our Sassy Sue

God bless our Sassy Sue
Dog that we love
Stand beside her and guide her
As she walks on the streets that she loves.
Loves the children, loves the doggies, sends the cats right up the tree.

God bless our Sassy Sue (howling starts), she aims to please-ease.
(More howling)
God bless our Sassy Sue, she aims to please.
(The end can be repeated, because she loves to join me on the high notes.)

When Sassy sang The Cattle Dog Blues with me at a tire store, two men copied down her blog address so they could look up more stories about her.

The funny part is that after we sang the first verse, Sassy scratched my leg to ask for the second verse. Of course, her fans were clapping for her and asking about her. They loved the second verse too.

When we sang The Cattle Dog Blues for cousin Peter and his wife Helene, family was gathered with their pets. The dogs added their howls, sticking their muzzles in the air. It looked just like the kennel singing in Lady and the Tramp.

Time-Life listed dogs as a miracle, a wonder of the world. Those who have pets realize how special their dogs, cats, and other animals are to them.