The Jack Abides

The Jack Abides…usually.

But today he had enough!

Usually, Jack is the calmest dog in the world. Those of you who know him can attest to his downright unflappable nature. Normally this dog can withstand all manner of taunts and humiliations without the slightest of unease. We rescued him form the pound as a puppy and ever since he has been one grateful pooch. He has endured all of Smoochy’s good natured teasing and silliness without so much as a bark. Even when Smoochy puts socks on his paws to watch him squirm the look in Jack’s eyes is always, “I don’t care! I’m just happy to be here!”

Today was another story. Today the line was crossed. As I type he is frantically barking at the door to be let out and meet face to face his assailant. A bastard squirrel.

Our morning started as it usually does. 8 o’clock rolled around and Jack was ready to greet the day, sniff the bushes, and dump in the lawn. So, I let him out. I can only imagine the scene that followed. He was probably peeing in his usual spot (a two foot by two foot patch of grass that is now dead and brown much to our landlady’s dismay) when out of the corner of his eye he spotted an interloper. The squirrel.

I’m not exactly sure what the squirrel said to Jack that set him over the edge. Perhaps he didn’t say anything at all and merely started pelting Jack with nuts. Whatever manner of taunts the squirrel dished out, today was not the day to cross this normally placid pup.

While the drama played out in our front yard I was quietly nursing Normy. The incessant dog barking was about to drive me nuts and all I could imagine was an angry visit from some crotchety neighbor. We aren’t in Georgia anymore, Jack! So I unlatched my poor babe and flew from the house dripping milk, ready to reprimand some doggie hide!

Jack was standing front paws on the fence, hackles up, eyes glazed huntin’ squirrel. The bastard squirrel was barely a foot out of range on a tree chattering away and obviously TAUNTING my poor dog. My first though was “Go get him Jackamoe!”, then my second thought was where the heck is my camera? Of course the memory card was in my computer, the battery was plugged into the wall, and the camera was IN ITS CASE (really it was, Smoochy!). By the time I was back outside with the reassembled camera the squirrel had traveled further up the tree (because it’s a PUSSY!)

So, the squirrel lived to crack another nut, my poor dejected dog was coaxed back into the house with promises of a treat, and quiet returned to the neighborhood. But, that little bugger better watch his furry little tail, Jack may look like a sweet dumb Lab, but he’s got the heart of a killer. Who know's what he's mixed with!


"Can you believe my mom quit nursing me for this crap!"