So this morning I planned to take Jake to Rodeo Beach. The drive takes an hour, well, maybe 50 minutes on a good day like today. Nevertheless I like to get him out for a walk first so he can complete his toilette before he’s stuck in the car for a prolonged period of time.
I decided to stay in the neighborhood - walk a mile or so. Stress free… Right?
Jake’s dream came true on this little walk and I got to witness the entire episode in slow motion. At least it sure seemed like slow motion.
We walked up this hill and I noticed him staring off to the right, up a long driveway. There was a squirrel - one of Napa’s ubiquitous goofy gray squirrels. It ran off and I’m like… “He’s all gone. All gone.” Which in Jake’s mind means we can move on to other things.
We hadn’t gone ten feet when all of a sudden another squirrel, who would have been perfectly safe if he’d stayed put, jumped out of a tree and took a flying leap off a five foot concrete wall.
He was trying to reach a tree clear on the other side of the sidewalk- on the other side of us- but he misjudged his jump and smacked right into the side of Jake’s head. Meanwhile I’m watching this unfold like a stupid pet trick video.
The squirrel falls to the ground at Jake’s feet.
I see the terror in the squirrel’s eyes, the jubilation in Jake’s!
Jake opens his mouth and lunges for it although I don’t think he’d hurt a squirrel. I think it was sort of an automatic response.
The squirrel springs straight up into the air.
He lands on Jake’s back- his legs spinning like he’s channeling Wile E. Coyote.
Jake whirls around just as the squirrel gathers itself and leaps from his back into the tree.
Jake tries to climb the tree after the squirrel.
The moral of the story? Squirrels are kinda dumb. Now every time Jake sees one he assumes it’s going to jump directly into his mouth. During our hike this afternoon he was totally obsessed with squirrels and waited beneath every tree to see if a squirrel would come down and play with him.
Once when I was hiking with Louie we came around a corner and ran smack dab into a squirrel coffee klatch. At least a dozen squirrels scattered in all directions, crashing into each other like furry Keystone Cops. One ran right into Louie’s nose, giving him the thrill of a lifetime - Louie, not the squirrel.
Oh, the beach was scary cool today! I was the only person there- who was not in the water. There were two intrepid surfers. I learned today what the term sneaker wave means. Boy, did I have to keep one eye glued to the ocean and one eye glued to Jake. The surf was insane. Totally insane. Thrilling. Magnificent. Must be a storm a-comin’!
Big waves today.
You should write a non-fiction book on the adventures of Jake. I see a movie deal for that book.
Sneaker waves are beautiful and scary.
I was bow-hunting once, just ghosting along and enjoying the morning. I saw a squirrel, doing his thing, and stopped to watch him. He ran right up to me and jumped on my leg. Freaked us both out.
Those waves look like Makapuu Point on a red flag day. Perfect.
Illustrated. THe book should be illustrated.
Those things are amazing. You have the weirdest experiences.
Indeed Roberta - The Adventures of Jake. Around here people do occasionally drown due to sneaker waves - usually because they are trying to save a dog… and then the dog makes it to shore.
Oh Tim! I’m glad he didn’t bite you! Yikes! But very cool. Yes, the waves had this amazing curl and the wind was blowing across the crests.
Funny things do happen around here, Steph, that’s for sure!
Beautiful beach photo! Love the adventures of Jake! Definitely a story in the making!
Yup! Squirrels are f^@#in stupid. Squirrels and pidgins. It’s amazing how both species are not extinct or endangered by their own stupidity. Makes you wonder about the “survival of the fittest” theory. I could hear the 3 Stooges sound effects in the background of your story. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Julia.
Ahhh, I do enjoy the tales of Jake.
Best squirrel story ever! Heeeeee!
I love squirrels. Years ago we had a mama squirrel who would come down the tree, walk around the yard and wait for a cat to spy her. She’d stand sill until the cat got ready to pounce the she’d jump on the cat’s head and beat the crap out of it. Wasn’t long until all our cats gave MaMa a wide berth. Small but mighty. Good luck Jake on your squirrel hunt.
Thank you for a MUCH needed laugh today! Go, Jake!
You’re welcome, Anny!
Funny, Stephanie! And here I thought squirrels were pea-brained!
Yup! The life of Jake, Penny!
He’s hilarious, Amber! Gets into all kinds of scrapes.
Yeah, totally the Three Stooges, Ray. Totally! Squirrels have yet to adapt to moving vehicles and dogs, I guess. You have a great holiday!
Thanks, Diana - maybe!
I used to have a dog and cat who’d tag team squirrels. The dog would lie in the yard, pretending to doze while the cat would rile the squirrels into thinking they were harassing her. Sure enough, at least one would get down on the ground to taunt the cat and the dog would nail it. The cat would often wait on an edge of the house roof that the squirrels liked to use as an escape route. She once swatted a squirrel off the house and right into the waiting dog’s jaws.
I saw it as nature’s way of culling the stupid squirrels.
Jaye - LMAO! And oh the poor squirrels! Talk about inter-species cooperation!