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Updated on Wednesday*:
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When we purchased a doggie door, I thought, “Great! This
will make my life so much easier.” Little did I know that the little
hole in my door would lead to events that I am about to describe.
We got the door because our first Jack Russell dog,
Buddy, would have me up throughout the night. Danny installed the door
so that I might get a good night’s sleep. Soon thereafter, Buddy was
stolen. Then we obtained Jumper, another Jack Russell, that was stolen.
Next, we got Abby, yet another Jack Russell, and somebody decided they
didn’t want to slow down past our house and hit her. Now, we have a new
dog, Mr. Patches, and I’m sure you can guess what breed he is. We also
have a cat named Muffy that hates everyone but me. When visitors try to
pet her, she growls, scratches, and becomes the Exorcist cat. The other
cat, Baby, is loving and has a little kitten named Striped. This is
where the fun begins.
Since Baby had Striped, her maternal instincts kicked
in. Baby has brought three chipmunks through the door. How we haven’t
seen her bring them in is beyond me. Levi and friend Tyler King caught
one of the critters with a little waste basket. For the second one, Levi
was on a solo mission and apprehended the little Chip ’n Dale. Picture
the chipmunk scampering through the house, the dog barking frantically,
and Baby calmly watching the whole ordeal. My heart is racing, my arms
are flailing, and I am screaming to Levi which direction that little
booger is going.
The third chipmunk was a bit more sneaky than the rest.
He decided that basement steps are his freedom path. If you have a
basement, you know how cluttered it can get. For three weeks, we saw
that rascal daily. He made himself known when you weren’t expecting him.
Turn on a light, he dashes across the floor--the cat just watches. Two
weeks ago, my Gram let me borrow her HavaHart live trap to put in the
basement. The only thing that set it off was me tripping over it. Last
week, we had the basement door open (in hopes the chipmunk would run
out) and I saw him. He had darted out the door. Hallelujah!
But wait. My dog is at the end of the walkway. I said,
“Get him Patches!” Patches chases towards me, and I am screaming, waving
my arms. I threw two empty pop cans at the chipmunk. I missed--and the
chipmunk returned to the Gordon household. Since last week, I have left
the door open frequently and, knock on wood, I haven’t seen him, so I am
praying that he has returned to the great “out” doors.
There is more. Two weeks ago, I was watching TV and
thought something looked funny in the hallway. I told Levi to turn the
light on and see what the cat was doing. Baby had brought a bunny into
the house. The wascally wabbit was so tired, I guess it just
surrendered. Levi was able to pick it up and release it outside.
There is more. Last week, I
was sitting in the recliner and watching TV again (I like my TV), and I
felt a scratching under my butt. Oh no, I must have trapped Striped in
the chair. I raised the recliner--and saw a rabbit’s nose. I jumped back
and screamed, “There’s a rabbit under my chair!” Levi leaped up and ran
to the hall to close all the bedroom doors. I stood by the basement
door, just to be on the safe side. The bunny ran behind the couch. Levi
yelled at me to keep quiet, because I am making him nervous. I got
Levi’s wastebasket and he scooted the rabbit in the basket with a broom.
As he carried the waste can, the rabbit showed us how he can jump. He’s
out and the race has begun once more. I was in the hallway yelling his
progress to Levi, who cornered the rabbit and put the can over him. Levi
slid the wastebasket to the door and the rabbit had his freedom.
Danny is lucky enough to be working when all these
escapades occur. He gets a good laugh at my expense.
I guess I am not like my cat. My maternal instincts go
right out the window when it comes to doggie door critters. Every kid
and mom for themselves!
Next week: More Ali and random acts that we encounter.
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