I thought it was time for an update on my assistance dog training.
Today’s subject? Gardening.
Autumn is well and truly upon us and the big ash tree in the back garden has shed all its leaves now. In places the patio was ankle deep in them and the conservatory gutters were full too so Dad and I were tasked by bossy person with clearing them. This required coordinated team working so we decided to divide the tasks. I say “team effort” and “divide the tasks” but it’s quite clear to me on whose paws the lion’s share of the work fell as you will see for yourselves:
| Tasks for Dad | Tasks for Angus |
|---|---|
| Get Broom | Attack Broom |
| Get Step Ladder | Bounce |
| Move Patio Furniture | Bounce |
| Get Garden Wheelie Bin | Pounce |
| Remove leaves from Conservatory Roof and Gutter | Pounce on falling leaves and gunk from gutter and make sure they're all dead |
| Sweep leaves into tidy pile ready for bin | a) Attack broom head b) Pounce on piles of leaves and scatter them to make sure they're still dead, and there are no monsters lurking within. c) Have the zoomies round the garden |
| Sweep leaves into tidy pile again | Repeat previous step |
| Repeat previous step | OK, you're just having a laugh now aren't you? That's TWICE I've done my bit and TWICE you've messed up my work. Well I'm NOT doing it again, so THERE! You'll just have to make do and see what good it does.. More zoomies |
| [sigh] | [pant] |
| Sweep leaves into pile.... again | Zoom round the garden |
| Put leaves in bin | Bored now |
| Move everything to front of conservatory | Bounce, pounce and attack as appropriate |
| Repeat from Step 6 | Pounce, Kill, Zoom Pounce, Kill, Zoom Yay, this is FUN! |
| Move everything to other side of conservatory | Bounce, pounce and attack as appropriate |
| Repeat from Step 6 | Pounce, Kill, Zoom Pounce, Kill, Zoom Yay, this is still FUN! |
“That’s it. Job done. Time to put things away Angus. (Dad-speak for “I’ve had enough of this!)””
“Nooooooo. This is way too much fun.”
“Come on Angus, let’s put the broom away.”
“No, I’m having fun!”
“No, really we have to put it away.”
“Pleeeease noooooo!”
“Whatcha gonna do about it?”
“How about…… this! (Gy the way, you sheem to have mished a few leavesh. Jusht shayin’)”
“Biscuit Angus?”
<Strangled cry and crashing sounds as man falls backwards through open back door>
“Yes please!” says Angus, standing on owner’s chest looking down into his face. “Well, what are you lying down there for? The biscuits are in the cupboard behind you.”
Angus
Wonderful account of a busy task… I’m looking forward to the snow clearing ?