We Hunt Squirrels Around Here

Brutus is a very smart little dog who needs lots of activity and stimulation to continue being a smart AND happy little dog. So we work on commands and tricks regularly, we play tug and fetch, but his favorite thing in the world is to hunt squirrels, so at least a couple dozen times each day we hunt squirrels. Now mind you Bru wouldn't know what to do with a squirrel if he ever caught one, but he "protects" the house from these evil bushy-tailed rats by chasing them off our porch and back up into the trees nearby. Every time I say "I see a squirrel!" Brutus runs to the sliders and waits to pounce out the door and send the vile interlopers back to the fiery chasm from whence they came....or at least the neighbor's yard. Each time I praise him for being so brave and thank him for protecting us, so he has welcomed this hunter/protector role and struts back in the house with great pride and swagger.

Usually once or twice daily we venture out in the backyard for the best squirrel hunting. Bru walks beside me, slowly creeping like the cunning hunter he is--his version of stealth mode. When we reach the side of the house I yell "GO GET EM!" and Brutus runs at lightning speed into the backyard, barks like a lunatic and races around looking for squirrels. When I praise him for scaring them all off he prances back into the house with me. Job well done in his estimation.

Recently Brutus took our hunting to a new level. I had made too much pasta and threw the excess noodles in the backyard for critters to have a snack. About an hour passed and Bru and I went out for a potty break/squirrel hunt.  When we rounded the corner there was four squirrels eating the pasta I tossed out. Brutus promptly chased them all up into the trees and did a few loops around the yard just to make sure he had his perimeter secured.  I praised him and thought he was coming back to walk with me....he had other ideas. Brutus walked back to the pile of noodles and took a big dump right in the noodles. It was like he said "How ya like those meatballs? And stay out of my yard!"