A few months ago I couldn’t figure out why the dog’s water dish was always empty. It’s a heavy china dish and our dog doesn’t tip it over, yet no matter how many times I filled it up, the water seemed to vanish. Being a writer I immediately thought of fairies and tiny folk, but no, the answer was much more mundane.
I happened to hear a kaffuffle outside. It wasn’t Scotty since she was asleep in her basket. When I peered out the window I saw a thrush standing in the middle of the water bowl, madly flapping its wings and having a fine old time. Water was shooting in all directions. After a while the thrush jumped out and flew off. Almost immediately a blackbird jumped in for a bath. That’s right - they were queuing up to take a bath in the dog’s water dish. Mystery solved. The birds wait until our dog comes inside then they perch on the outdoor furniture, waiting their turn to take a bath. When they’ve finished there’s hardly any water in the bowl and all the pavers in the surrounding area are wet. The birds have become quite cheeky, even taking a bath while the dog is sleeping a few feet away, and I’ve become resigned to my new job as pool attendant.
Ellora’s Cave author, Wylie Kinson is holding a special competition, involving photos and angels, to celebrate the upcoming release of her book Law of Averages. Check out all the details here.
Oops! I’m in BIG trouble. Mr. Munro has just arrived home from work and I didn’t notice his haircut. He always notices mine - in fact he usually rings me and tells me I look beautiful. In my defence I tell him I’m going to have my hair done, so he has a chance to remember. He springs his haircuts on me without warning. I must try to do better next time…
Shelley - thanks for the plug :D
And re your water bowl… I had a similar situation…
by Wylie Kinson April 11th, 2008 at 7:16 amWhen I lived in Bermuda, I used to keep a little bowl of kitty kibble outside for our cat - who used to roam the neighbourhood while we were at work. It was empty by the time we got home, but the cat was still insistantly hungry. One day I was off work and witnessed the kiskadees (yellow noisy birds) all perched around the little bowl having a feast. Toads, too, would snap them up.
That looks like the dog will need another water bow - somewhere inside. It would be a pity to deprive the birds of their bath, after all.
by Gabriele April 11th, 2008 at 11:44 amHow enterprising of those birds!
by Estella April 11th, 2008 at 12:59 pmNo problem, Wylie. Eek, I could do without toads hanging around. I think I’ll stick with the birds.
Gabriele - we have a small lily pond and a water feature. I’ve seen them drinking out of both. I’ve decided they like to inconvenience me!
Estella - they’re becoming very cheeky. I’m surprised they haven’t started to come inside since the door is usually wide open.
by Shelley Munro April 11th, 2008 at 1:39 pmThat is too funny about the birds. LOL!
You don’t like toads? Awww I used to catch toads and frogs all the time when I was a kid.
And being Canadian I wrastled bears. LOL!! Just teasing. Terrified of bears and I didn’t see my first bear until two years ago at a garbage dump. LOL!
by Amy Ruttan April 11th, 2008 at 4:54 pmLOL! Love this story. Those birds are smart.
I think Mr. Munro will have to do like you do and tell you he’s going to get a haircut that day to give you a heads-up. LOL!
Paz
by Paz April 11th, 2008 at 5:15 pmWahahaha! That’s hilarious! We have a bird feeder in the back yard. I recently changed the feed and now we have 3 squirrels who feed out of it, the birds are below picking up the seeds they spill from the grass. Crazy world. So do you have to be a certified lifeguard for the bird pool?
by Amy W. April 21st, 2008 at 1:57 pmCheers,
-Amy W.