Furry Idiots vs. Wildlife

My mom and I have been sharing space since my father died, and she's a bit eccentric (like I'm NOT ...). This morning was a real corker.

Picture little old lady frantic at six am - walking back and forth, wringing her hands and muttering - who knows what - I can't tell, I'm thinking that I'm dreaming, until she woke me up saying ...

"Nugget's dug up a turtle and he's out there [in the back yard] trying to open it! You have to come save him!!!" OPEN IT??? And Nugget is Furry Idiot #1.

Now, I am NOT at my best first thing in the morning, B.C. (BEFORE COFFEE), so I am afraid I growled in response, fell face-first into the pillow, then - FINALLY! - fell out of bed. Got some clothing, snarled a bit, found some shoes - ready to go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nugget, aka Furry Idiot #1

So, I got outdoors to find Nugget lying on the ground, turtle (!) underneath his front paws - he was holding it upside down, with forearms across the shell, trying to pry the bottom off with his teeth, it the way you rip the protective seal off a Pringle's can. Wow. I tried taking it, and he actually growled at me. Now, Nugget is normally the most laid-back animal you'd want to meet - a bit skittish, actually, around people he doesn't know.

Everyone I know calls him Yoga Dog because he's so calm, and he does a heck of a Downward-facing Dog pose, right before he stands on his hind legs to put his paws around your waist and lay his head on your chest- he's a hugger. But not today - NO MORE MR. NICE GUY.

 

Nuggie-Smile

He was for sure and certain determined to have turtle for breakfast, I guess. And I was for sure and certain determined that I wasn't letting him do it ... couldn't let THAT happen. Mom and I ran a two-pronged attack - she slipped around the edge of the yard, and up the steps on the west end of the property while I distracted him with hot dogs - she nabbed the poor turtle, and tossed it over the garden fence.

SO We've saved the turtle! Of course, Nugget was unhappy - so much so that he refused the hotdog, walked away from a belly rub (usually he'll do anything for one of these and goes absolutely insane with joy when he gets one), and looked at me, as if to say,

"You are SUCH a drag, Woman ..."

Oh, well, Tiger (Furry Idiot #2) ate the hotdog and took the belly rub - picked up the starling he'd been killing while we were concentrating on the turtle, and stalked off. Now all's right with the world, the turtle decided NOT to come under the fence again, and Nugget will have to wait for another opportunity to have peel-and-eat.

Tiger, aka Furry Idiot #2.

Both Furry Idiots - Nugget begging for a belly rub