Duncan Gets Back to Work

You might remember that Duncan had a summer job last year, supervising the work crew of the Great Pool Removal Project. Well, he's back to work again this summer! This year's project is removing the old and ugly deck and replacing it with, well, whatever the project evolves into...

As usual, Duncan began his workday by breakfasting on the deck. After a hearty breakfast of kibble au jus with a side of water (he only likes drinking from his water dish when he's outside; indoors he prefers the bathtub), he wandered over to see that things were going well:

Once a few boards were up, it was time to check for rabbits or other critters who might need to be chased out:

Fortunately, they had already moved out, although we did find the remains of some long-ago child's pretend tea party: toy plate, fork, salt shaker, and toy food: two slices of bread, slice of bologna, lettuce leaf, drumstick, and a potato chip.

Only one small problem so far: Duncan got bored watching  us work, so he wandered off, dug up a small patch of grass, and started snacking on the soil underneath before we caught him. He was threatened with a bath, and immediately agreed to stop eating the mud, though it was apparently quite tasty:

He's really been remarkably good while we've been working, except for the power saw, which is scary. He goes into the house where it's not quite as loud, and barks ferociously at it from there.

Crate Issues!

You may remember that way back when he broke his leg as a puppy, Duncan had to spend a lot of time in his wire puppy-crate. Since he grew up, though, he really hasn't used it. He often chooses to use his other crate (plastic and slightly bigger) for an afternoon nap, but the wire one wasn't a favourite so it got stashed away. We recently moved it into the family room while we painted the basement, and he ignored it completely.

Until today. When we found THIS:

Outrageous! Jax had invaded Duncan's beloved crate! With all its happy memories of puppy painkillers! (He did love his pill pockets.) Naturally, Duncan protested vehemently:

Jax was completely unfazed by the noisy creature dancing around his cozy little corner barking at him.

Strangely, when we closed the "front" door of the crate and opened the one in the end facing the wall (with just enough room for a cat to squeeze out), everything was fine again. Duncan went back to guarding the street from passing squirrels and postmen, and Jax settled in for a snooze. Peace. Quiet. At least until he thinks of a new way to taunt the dog...