Garden Friend

Sometimes when Doogie's out in the yard with me, he can be racing around just for fun, or chasing frisbees, or snooting around in the mulch (or compost!), and then suddenly some scent gets his attention. He becomes so focused, and will follow that nose where ever it takes him. If Jake, the golden retriever 4 houses down is in the backyard and even THINKING of heading our way, Doogie smells him before he sees him, and goes tearing off to greet him.

This weekend it was something different... I figured he was after a mouse or vole, and didn't even see the camouflaged critter at first. Doogie sure did!


Of course, you know what happens when cats or dogs go after toads, right? They come back with that awful taste that has them smacking their lips or shaking their head, sometimes drooling. Doogie didn't even try to pick this guy up. I don't know if he licked the toad (he's heard about that on the internets!), or just brushed it with his nose - whatever he did, it was enough to turn him off. He just did a little little of the lips and shaking his head.


I guess the toad didn't think he tasted bad enough - he made sure to puff up and put on a little show to try and intimidate us...


We just left him alone after that. He's been hiding out around the white flowering weeping cherry, where I still have some straw bales from last fall. I figure when I finish this bed with some mulch, maybe I'll move over a busted terra cotta pot that I half bury - sort of a toad home if you will. Maybe this guy will like the new home since I'll be removing the straw...