Bud At Work

I appreciate and understand Bud’s obsession with his work.  And it is work.  While I’m in my studio sewing Bud is outside keeping track of the squirrels and chipmunks that live in the big trees in “his” yard.

He kills what he can, whatever moves and is smaller than he is.  I’ve seen him swallow whole slimy gray things that used to be furry and alive, which barely fit in his mouth.  All I have to do is tell him to “drop it” and down it goes.

Sometimes, he stops for a break and comes into my studio for a nap.  On really hot days, I make him come in. Dogs like Bud can easily overheat and sometimes, he just can’t stop working.

Ever since the branch broke off the maple tree, Bud has used it to get close to the tree tops where all kinds of animals elude him.

In the house, Bud keeps an eye on the woodstove.

In the spring when we don’t have fires, birds sometimes get stuck in the chimney and end up in the stove. I always know if a bird is there even if it’s not making a lot of noise which most of them aren’t.

When Bud stares into the glass door, I know he’s not seeing his own reflection.

I’ve gotten pretty good at reaching into the stove and grabbing the bird before it flies into the house. I do put all the dogs outside first just to be safe.  Bud would like nothing better than to snatch a bird in midair.

At night,  like me, he’s ready to relax.  If I’m reading he jumps into my lap to have his belly rubbed and back scratched.  After a long day of work, he deserves it.