4/18/10

The Birds and the Bees and the Flowers and the Trees

Spring had arrived. Birds flitted about the flowering trees and low lying bushes, unconcerned with the dangers lurking beneath in the form of Chase and Charlie. Chase loved all things that flew, fluttered, buzzed, and darted. He held firmly to the belief that if he barked long and loud enough at the winged creatures, they would oblige him by landing in his mouth. I am certain this belief was formed six years earlier when he caught a mockingbird in a similar manner. Charlie took a more subtle approach. He burrowed beneath a bush and lay very still. Birds would not see the small dachshund who blended in perfectly with the dirt and old leaves until it was too late. Charlie proudly stockpiled his feathered trophies for all to admire. Dogs can be just as lethal as a cat where a bird is concerned.

A favorite afternoon gathering spot for all four dogs and me was down by the pond in a shady patch of clover and wild violets. A canopy of branches and leaves was provided by a gnarly old oak tree. Very fine, soft grass carpeted the area not covered by clover and an old moldy swing, its tattered top long vanished was a perfect place to relax with a book or an occasional visit by a four-legged friend.

This was the place where you could imagine being a child again. A small, rugged door rested against the base of the tree trunk and it would be no surprise if it creaked open slowly by the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. Perhaps childhood memories encouraged me to sink into the lush green ground covering to seek four-leaf clovers and I found myself gently parting patches of green. The dogs, moments before content to sit on the hillside and watch the pond or sniff around the yard doing the things that dogs do, were suddenly keenly interested in my clover activities. Four noses sniffed where my hands had been. Four mouths nibbled on clover leaves. Sixteen furry feet trampled and bruised the tender plants. Four bodies chose that moment to roll on their backs in my clover patch. Sighing, I ceased my efforts and sat back on the swing. My patch was completely flattened. Despite the damage, there was one small area untouched. Nonchalantly, I moved slowly and deliberately toward that area. Sneaking a glance at the dogs, I surveyed the area and spied one four-leaf clover. Excitedly, I stooped to pluck it before all four dogs charged and trampled that area, too.

Several days later, I returned to my clover patch and happily discovered that clovers are very resilient plants. For a brief moment I enjoyed the shady spot until the dogs discovered me and crushed my patch once again. Sighing, I lay down on the swing. A bumblebee landed very close to my face and I watched it dry its wings. Smiling, I marveled at all its bee intricacies for a few fleeting seconds before Chase pounced upon it and snatched it in his mouth chewing furiously. Horrified, I admonished Chase for his actions but it was too late.

I retreated into the house with the dogs and thought that all things flying and all things growing must be relieved by the bit of safety I just provided.

11 comments:

Crafty_Witchy_Girl said...

Hi! I am craftywitchygirl and I am one of your swap-bot partners for the swap I want more blogger followers!

Moonwild Studio said...

moonwild from swapbot....I enjoyed your dog stories...great writing!!

Tam Spires said...

MaraSpires from Swap-Bot's "I Want More Blog Followers" stopping by as a new follower :o]

Zoƫ said...

aww spring is so lovely! I am following you from swap-bot, my username is strandedhero :)

Coleen said...

Susan, Nice blog, pretty colors. I'm following you now.Would appreciate if you follow me too.
http://vintageterrace2.blogspot.com/
http://franksukraine.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Coleen Franks
S-B, Want More Followers

Emma @ emmanemhandmade said...

Hi, following you from swapbot. You are a great writer!

-emmanemhandmade
http://www.emmanemhandmade.blogspot.com/

noodleBubble said...

New follower from SB
noodleBubble- looking forward to a lovely read! X

Jessica Whitehouse said...

Following your blog from the "I want more blog followers" swap. Jessica - Panda2778 on Swapbot.

My personal blog: The Unicorn Castle

Robotgranny said...

robotgranny following you back!

Thea said...

Since I don't have a dog I rarely remember that dogs are animals, and have animal hunting instincts. Nice blog, btw.
I'm fibrous from swapbot, and I'm now following your blog.

Amadei said...

Aw, I can just imagine the puppy in the leaves all hidden. :D

P.S. This is blueskydei following you from the I Want More Blogger Followers swap on swap-bot.com. :)