Live from Boise following the Idaho Erben's one post at a time…

The Squirrel Situation – A Photographic Insight

Probably need to keep this short as the end of Dad and Tyler time draws near, and I must prepare myself for the insanity I subject myself to five days a week. Tyler is catching a few Z's here on the floor, so I slapped together another gallery. But, get this, it is NOT a Tyler related gallery. No no no...that kid has been pushed to the back seat, this time, we have dogs and squirrels.

For those of you lucky enough to talk to us on the phone, or visit us, you may be familiar with our squirrel problem. See, it is not that squirrels are causing damage to our property, it is that they are playing evil mind games with the dogs. Eros and Ralph are part of the anti-squirrel league, a group formed by many canines across the US, and flourishing since the advent of email. Through this network, they communicate, share stories, and learn new hunting techniques. For example, it is not enough to go outside and bark at the squirrel. Eros has perfected the "uber-still-no-flinch" move in which she becomes a rock, and does not budge. However, she keeps her legs cocked, and when the squirrel is lured into thinking she is a statue, and attempts to make a getaway, she breaks loose and begins the "hot pursuit".

So far, the dogs are 0-for-531 in catching a squirrel, but it is not for a lack of trying. We are also now part of a squirrel civil war in which one squirrel, we call him Maverick, is trying to edge in on the home turf of Lupus, our long-time resident. This has increased the tendency for the squirrels to make less thoughtful moves, and to venture into the yard, marking their territory.

Last week, I caught Lupus (I think, still trying to figure out which is which, they all look the same to me) checking out the yard. While the dogs waited patiently in the house, I snapped a few pictures, then opened the flood gate. Here are a few shots from this day.