dog days

I got home late this evening. My tomato plants were looking droopy, so I followed the dogs through the garden gate, where the faucet is. I rounded the strawberry tree and stopped in my tracks.
Alert. Dead possum carcass, resting in the grass.
It was a little guy, probably no more than 8 inches long. And it was dead like I'm used to seeing dead possums. Because oh yes, I'm used to it. My dog is a possum killer. Serial variety.
I think he gums them to death. Certainly, whenever I've seen them, they've been mauled. Soaked in saliva. A little flat looking. Smushy.
I imagine Petey sucking on this poor unfortunate soul, murmuring, "Hold still. I want to love you and squeeze you and hug you and name you George."
So tonight, a familiar burial ritual. With a corpse my lil buddy left me right next to the garden gate, like a gift, something a cat would do. There's a reason I'm not fond of cats.
Dig dig dig. Mollie prances around the hole. You can see the distaste in her posture. She avoids dirt, rain and death.
Petey is eating a pinecone, pretending not to notice. A pinecone!
Walk back to the carcass, slide the blade of the shovel under the little dead body. Mollie prances around the shovel, clearly disgusted, but with the fascination only a bird dog can display.
Petey is sucking on the pinecone. He must be remembering the possum.
Slide the little, saliva soaked body into the ground. Shovel dirt over him. Give the ground a pat.
I dunno though. While I was out there, I was hit with an idea. Recently I've been reading a book with a truly boastful title like EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BIRDS. Surprisingly, they've come pretty close. For example, did you know scientists are pretty sure that birds came from dinosaurs? Anyway, in this book, they describe a bird habitat.
Hmm. I have this rather large circle in the center of my yard. It won't grow grass, because it's been a burn pile for years and years. All it manages to grow are weeds.
Put a few stones in a circle around it, fill it with a bunch of dirt. I bet it would make a pretty charming bird habitat. A nice place to sit, even. Probably lots more attractive to renters or sellers than a burn pile. I think the days of burn piles are probably numbered anyway.
Wildflower garden. That's definitely what I need.
I guess I have a new project. Backyard curb appeal. Thanks for inspiring me, Petey. But please, no more surprises.


--Laura