Miss Freckles' Week!

Franklin, the resident squirrel is no more! Miss Freckles finally caught him - literally. Franklin was up on the roof of the house when Miss Freckles charged outside to protect her empire. Franklin made a leap for the oak tree, missed, and Miss Freckles was there to put Franklin down! Poor Franklin, but hoorah for Miss Freckles. Miss Freckles and I had been listening to Franklin scampering around on top of the house and I know what damage squirrels can do - so I'm not mourning his loss too much. And, I know Miss Freckles is glad to have that pesky critter done for!

However, this week has truly been one for my erstwhile protectress! Yesterday, she caught and snapped the neck of the very aggresive and scary Pauline, the possum. Pauline attempted to attack me more than once as I would wander toward the garage to get the car out. Swinging at her with a broom did nothing but anger her that much more. But, Miss Freckles would have none of that yesterday. She charged outside when I went to get the car out of the garage and Pauline and she had a very nasty exchange until Miss Freckles decided she was the one in charge and grabbed the possum by the neck, shook a couple of times, and Pauline went on to possum heaven. As there were five baby possums nestled snuggly in a crate where Miss Freckles couldn't get to them, I called the forestry department and they sent a couple of nice folks to rescue the babies.

And, this morning, the teasing Wally the Wabbit is also no more. Miss Freckles had had about enough of him and caught him in mid hop as he attempted to get through the chain-link fence. She has prissed around as if she were the last of the great hunters. It is strange, though, that I've only told her once to not bother the deer when they come into the yard and she just glances at them and leaves them completely alone. We both enjoy sitting on the porch to watch the deer graze on the remains of the pecan crop!

My mutt dog is a wonder dog. She is highly protective of me. Earlier this summer some calves managed to evade the electric fence around their pasture and they romped around in my yard until their owners came to get them. As I attempted to shoo them away, Miss Freckles got between me and them and then proceeded to have a wonderful time herding them into one tightly-knit group and even helped the calves' owners herd them back into the pasture. It was delightful to watch her. Guess I should keep the gate closed, but when the deer come to call they are a pleasure to watch.

Critter population has been altered by Miss Freckles. It's her yard and her territory, but can't help but feel just a tad sorry that Franklin is no more.

Micky Finn has spouted off.