Thursday – A Little Personal – Twiggy and Tempeste Deal with the Deer.

“Tempest, come here.”

“What’s the problem?”

“That deer came right up to the window.”

“Well, it is telling mom to get the carrots.”

“I’d say that’s a little pushy, wouldn’t you?”

“You know how it is when handouts are free. They are expected.”

“I suppose. It just took me by surprise.”

“I can understand that.”

“You know I almost feel that a good bark to St. Louis might be a good lesson.”

“I think Mom might have something to say about that.”

“Yeah, she does love to see the deer come around.”

“We could pretend that the FedEx guy just arrived.”

“That’s a pretty good thought.”

“Come on, let’s go to the door. We can bark them through it.”

“Are you going to come over here and help?”

“I think we need to change strategy. Mom’s out there with the deer.”

“I think barking Mom to St Louis would be a big mistake.”

“You can say that again.”

“So, we’ll just have to wait for another opportunity.”

“I could almost taste the victory.”

89 comments

  1. Jane Dalton's avatar

    What a lovely little deer, and your girls strategy and logic is comic! Much love to you all, dear John. Xxxxx ❤️😘

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jane. Much love back to you and Tim. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Darlene's avatar

    I’m afraid Dot & Lia would be barking like mad if a deer entered our yard or even came near it!! Twiggy and Tempeste have shown incredible restraint.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They do like to watch the deer. The only time they get riled up is when the deer get close to the window. Thanks, Darlene

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.'s avatar

    How lovely to have such amazing visitors and for all their talk I think the girls know how special it is to their mum… great photos as always John.. hugsx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Sally. It is so much fun seeing the little ones romp in the yard.😀

      Liked by 1 person

  4. M.C. Addington's avatar

    Cute story.

    Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you. So glad you enjoyed it. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Ankur Mithal's avatar

    Exciting times for the duo 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They have exciting times every day. 🤣

      Like

  6. equipsblog's avatar

    Love the dog’s eye view of what not to bark. And dog logic…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      There is dog math, too. Thanks, Pat

      Like

  7. shoreacres's avatar

    Clearly, the girls have learned the old, important lesson: choose your battles carefully!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That they have. Of course, applying those learnings has wiggle room.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Cute visitor. What’s the ramp for? Is it a ramp?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The ramp is to keep Twiggy and Tempeste from jumping off the back of the couch. Jumping off the back of the couch is dangerous to Frenchies.

      Like

      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        Gravity is not their friend.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Definitely not. Their short legs and big bodies are not built for hitting the floor with any height.

          Like

  9. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Oh, the temptation is so strong. But Mom might not appreciate it. Still, that is one pushy deer. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      She is very pushy. She has been that way since she was a fawn. Thanks, Jan.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. JFRSr's avatar

    Mum is definitely “the optimum word” whenever Mom is on the scene🐳

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The final word, too. Thanks, James. 😊

      Like

  11. Esther Chilton's avatar

    How wonderful to see the deer. Love the girls’ response.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it Esther. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  12. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    I’m glad you posted the pretty girls and deer, John. That they restrained from barking the deer away and Mom got to feed it is really nice.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Mom tends to stifle the barking instinct. Thanks, Tim.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. tokragly's avatar
    tokragly · · Reply

    John,

    I do like the custom furniture you have for your pups. Four stairs to the viewing window and a ramp to somewhere. You sure make it easy for them to get onto things and look out the windows. When we had a small dog it had to figure it out-usually meant jumping. We never considered ramps and steps. Well done !!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Those steps and ramps are for their protection. They would jump, dive, or otherwise risk injury to their ligaments and bones if we didn’t have that stuff in place. Thanks, Tom.

      Like

      1. tokragly's avatar
        tokragly · · Reply

        Just curious. Do they ever just jump or dive off the furniture ?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Tempeste does. Twggy is too smart.

          Like

  14. srbottch's avatar

    John, if Twiggy and Tempeste can actually ward off deer then they’re welcome to come here for summer camp to help our hydrangeas survive the onslaught of those ‘cute’ night feeders that think we operate a salad bar.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

      Then send the girls to my house to keep the deer from eating my hostas!!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. srbottch's avatar

        You’d think that there was an ‘all U can eat salad bar’ sign in our front yards 🥴😂

        Liked by 2 people

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Ha ha ha. We have nothing planted in the front that the deer like. They enjoy the carrots served twice a day.

          Liked by 1 person

        2. srbottch's avatar

          ‘Pavlov’s dog’ exhibit 1: a sqeakey door draws them automatically

          Liked by 1 person

        3. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

          I think you’re right!

          Liked by 2 people

      2. John W. Howell's avatar

        Sadly, the deer simply look at the two of them and stomp their hooves

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

          Ah, members of the DWA Club. (Deer With Attitude). When we catch them, they just look at us and say, Yeah, so, you wanna make sumpin of it?

          Liked by 1 person

        2. John W. Howell's avatar

          Ha ha ha . Ours do the same.

          Liked by 1 person

    2. John W. Howell's avatar

      Well, I’m sure they would love it there. The deer pay little attention to Twiggy and Tempeste but do stomp their hooves at them.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. srbottch's avatar

        My wife does the same to me when I bark at her.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. coldhandboyack's avatar

    My daughter just moved and showed me photos. She has Frenchies and now they have a window perch and deer in the yard.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Aw. Sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

      Like

  16. lois's avatar

    Well, darn! I was all excited about the bark to St Louis. We’ll just have to wait, girls. And I sure don’t wait well…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I get it. We don’t wait well either. 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    I’m surprised that Twiggy didn’t immediately start barking at the deer!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      She did before I came with the camera. Notice the deer wasn’t fazed.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

        Ah, now that makes more sense! No, the deer wasn’t a bit fazed.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Staci Troilo's avatar

    Nailed it with the ending. lol

    I’m amazed the deer found its way past the fence. Must be very determined.

    Thanks for the smiles, John. Belly rubs for the girls.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      The fence is in the back. This window overlooks the driveway, which is the carrot mess hall. Thanks, Staci

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Jacqui Murray's avatar

    I can’t believe how many ramps and stairs you have for those pups.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I know, right? Each serves a purpose and helps prevent back and leg problems.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. joynealkidney's avatar

    Have they been outside when the deer visits? Bet there would be barking then!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. equipsblog's avatar

    Hadn’t factored that in.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Susannah Bianchi's avatar

    The pictures are amazing. Nature’s consummate stand-off. That deer sighting might push Puma and Panther right off the map. Oh deer! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. Sometimes they just sit and stare. Other times, a bark or two. The deer totally ignore them. We did see a fawn stomp her hoof at them yesterday.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Susannah Bianchi's avatar

        I’d be mesmerized too. Bambi in your backyard is a big deal. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          So true. 😄

          Liked by 1 person

  23. noelleg44's avatar

    Boy, Mom really holds sway with the girls! Barking her to St. Louis is a baaad idea!

    I wondered what Puma and Panther would do if confronted by a deer. To be seen…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      There might have to be a story built like that. Thanks, Noelle.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. noelleg44's avatar

        So we can get a story starring the girls? With a deer? And Mom?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          No Mom. The Producer wants to remain anonymous

          Like

        2. noelleg44's avatar

          Okay. Maybe the girls will want non-disclosure clauses, too! 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

        3. John W. Howell's avatar

          Ha ha ha. Maybe.

          Liked by 1 person

  24. Marie A Bailey's avatar

    I love how Twiggy and Tempeste talk themselves out of big mistakes 😉😆

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are pretty good at that. Thanks, Marie.

      Like

  25. Dale's avatar

    How wonderful they managed to talk themselves into restraining from barking the poor little deer to St. Louis. Plus, proof positive that Mom’s the boss!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes, indeed. Thanks, Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar

        Always a pleasure!

        Liked by 1 person

  26. circadianreflections's avatar

    ROFL!! Very wise of them to wait for another opportunity. 🥕

    Do they get carrot treats as well? Diva Dog loved carrots.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Tempeste loves carrots. Twiggy couldn’t care less.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. circadianreflections's avatar

        😊 Different strokes for different dogs too it is.

        Liked by 1 person

  27. Dan Antion's avatar

    Good decision by the girls not to bark mom out of the district. The deer is cute. If we had them, my wife would be feeding them.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Well, that’s what is going on here.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar

    deer me, young ladies, you are so cute! xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Miss Annette.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Sorryless's avatar

    The girls know their mom business. To paraphrase the late great Kenny Rogers, ya gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to scold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run . . .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They sure do. Thanks, Pilgrim

      Like

  30. thomasstigwikman's avatar

    Oh deer, what an encounter but they handled that pretty well. We put out water for the animals we have (rabbits, squirrels, strays, and coyotes). We change it every day, or twice a day, so it does not become a mosquito breeding ground.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We do the same on the water.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. petespringer's avatar

    Do the dogs typically bark at the deer? We are near a forest in an open area, so deer often walk through our backyard.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They only bark when the deer knock on the window. Thanks, Pete.

      Like

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