The D's and the Dogs: The Road Less Traveled

When I was little (and even when I was not so little) I loved going barefoot in the summer. I pretty much went barefoot when out and about in my yard every summer until 4 years ago, when I almost stepped on a frog. That made me think twice about going barefoot. Seeing garter snakes the year after that clinched the deal. This woman now wears shoes. I miss the feeling of soft grass between my toes

So imagine my confusion when Belle and Willow appear to avoid the grass in the back yard at times. Instead of just wandering around in the grass they have forged their own path to navigate the yard. Maybe with all the rain we had this spring and summer they have gotten tired of traipsing through wet grass.

If Belle and Willow were a TV show, Belle would be the lead character and Willow would be the flaky side kick. Belle knows she isn't supposed to be in the landscaping and Willow, just following Belle's lead, is...well, Willow.

So come with me as we retrace the steps of the rebel bassets on...."the road less traveled."

Spot Belle in the yard in the picture below? Yeah, well that's not normal. She is acting like she always walks in the yard, but since I'm outside with her taking pictures she is trying to stay out of trouble. Typically they go right off the deck steps and into the mulch, Belle in the lead, Willow behind. They love to walk in the mulch and on the pavers.

Then they turn the corner and head north, weaving between the hostas and solar lights. It is like a doggy obstacle course!

After that they round the next corner, always staying close to the deck. Don't ask me how they get by these hostas, I have no clue. I just know I can tell where they are by the rustling I hear.

This is a view of the next bed. Here is where things start to get interesting because they weave back behind the yard ornament and then in front of the solar light and yellow flowers. At one time there were shasta daisies in this bed... and a bunny had babies there so Belle has to check it out just in case.

Next on the list is this flower bed where they root around in the mounding geranium. The bunny had babies there the following year and Belle has not forgotten it.

Then they go out and around the egress window to this flower bed. Weave, weave, weave. Gotta hunt for critters.

Remember that horrible looking flower bed? I can't keep them out of it. It is where they go to look at the front yard and sidewalk on this side of the house. If any of these flowers are brave enough to return next year I will be surprised. If I had $1 for each time I have told them "Out!", pointed, making it clear what I want them to do, and been rewarded with them looking at each other as if to say, "Is she talking to us?" look....well I could buy a lot more mulch for the dogs.

Then they go along the neighbor's fence. Belle is in charge of security and likes to check the perimeters to make sure they are secure. Chelsea, a lab, lives on the other side of this fence, so they have to listen for her. This is also a great spot to munch on some grass.

Then it is into this flower bed, cuz mulch feels so awesome on the paws. I know, the bird bath still has not been cleaned. Don't judge. I'm herding bassets here and trying to keep them out of the landscaping. It is a full-time job.

Then it's time to check the back of the yard.... scanning the fence and looking for intruders as they go. And if Steve and Zoey are out (the dogs who live behind us), it's a quick "hi" to them.

The last flower bed is this one. They loiter a bit and eat some more grass. I keep telling them they are not cows but once again get that, "Is she talking to us?" look.

Then it is time to check the last fence line. There's usually not much to catch their interest here, unless Karsyn and Maddison are outside. The dogs, especially Willow, love getting attention from them.

Here's Willow showing off her mulch-surfing and paver walking skills. It is pretty interesting to see them walk the pavers like a balance beam. I have to admit they are pretty good at it!