Alayne and I were sitting on the deck after dinner the other evening when we heard blind Widget start woo-woo-wooing from inside the house. Sometimes she will woo-woo-woo when she wants help getting out of a chair, sometimes she will do this to demand food from us while we're eating, and sometimes she'll do this because, well, she likes the sound of her own voice. But this determined woo-woo-wooing kept going, so I went inside to see what the Widge was up to.
I found her in the kitchen, woo-woo-wooing ... in anticipation? ... in frustration? ... because she was oh-so-close to snatching our left-over dinner off the counter. Oh-so-close as in inches. As in, the inches she might have had if her legs were normal Beagle ones and not those confounded Dachshund legs she was born with.
Usually when she attempts a food heist, she's coy and quiet about it, even if brazen. But this woo-woo-wooing while trying to steal the food is akin to a burglar setting off the burglar alarm himself and then breaking into the house.
She didn't even care that I was in the kitchen, and she continued trying to figure out how she could grab the oven pan off the counter while I went to get the camera. The only indication that she realized law enforcement had arrived on the scene is the dropped tail; an upright, bobbing tail is a confident Widget, while the dropped tail is the "uh-oh-I'm-not-so-sure-about-this-anymore" Widget. Her confidence about pulling off a successful heist had wilted, in other words, even as her determination endured.
After taking the photo for our evidence files, I promptly took her into custody and escorted her out of the kitchen and onto the deck, where she was placed in detention.
This is great. I love it!!!
Posted by: Kevin Kennaugh | July 28, 2010 at 12:41 AM
Poor Widget .. :(
Posted by: Amy A | July 27, 2010 at 04:57 PM
Widgets persistance would have paid off in my kitchen. I'm a sucker for woo wooing. Now if Widget were a cat, instead of a dog, that countertop wouldn't have been an obstacle and you would have never known somebody was partaking in a feast.
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawnWHVu1684apIB19997aMXrIq5conkakeo | July 27, 2010 at 03:11 PM
LOVE all the beagle-ness in sassy Widget!! My beagles definitely do the same thing ... although one is tall enough to reach the counter tops! He's gotten a few cookies in his day! Give Miss Thang some love from Atlanta Beagle Rescue!
Posted by: Michele | July 27, 2010 at 09:34 AM
Great job, Officer!
Thanks for the chuckle!
Posted by: Glenda | July 27, 2010 at 08:27 AM
Wow. I love little Widget!
Posted by: Shauna at WSU | July 27, 2010 at 12:43 AM
Love the photo.
Posted by: Ray the blind dog | July 26, 2010 at 07:26 PM
Widget has retained my husband and he hereby demands production of all discovery, including the full and complete chain of custody for the evidence. He also wishes to remind you that Widget is presumed innocent until proven guilty. You are hereby placed on notice that if these charges prove to be unfounded an action will be brought for unlawful arrest and detention. (this may cost you a lot of dog bones!)
Posted by: Dee's Mom | July 26, 2010 at 05:48 PM
Well, the law is the law! No eating before it's time! Great Post!
Posted by: Linda Murphy | July 26, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Too cute. Thanks. You made me laugh.
Posted by: Ev | July 26, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Is a Widget still a Widget while in detention ? I fear not - Free Widget now! - but please put the food away first. Nice try Widge.:)
Posted by: Angela | July 26, 2010 at 12:22 PM
HaHa! I love the step stool idea.......Widget is thinking "Closer-Closer I know I can, I know I can!"
Posted by: Doe George | July 26, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Sweet Widget - what a girl!
Posted by: Lisa | July 26, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Good thing they give us paper towels here at work.....sprayed coffee all over. I have three doxies and they all are like Widget when it comes to food. Steve, you write the greatest blogs!
Posted by: Lori | July 26, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Wow, Widget! Even from here I can tell how good that smells...
Posted by: Linda | July 26, 2010 at 10:08 AM
This blog entry made my morning. Chuckle, chuckle.
Posted by: Lynda | July 26, 2010 at 09:17 AM
I so look forward to your postings!
I think they'd make a great book!!
Posted by: Andrea | July 26, 2010 at 08:15 AM
So funny!!! Note to self: Do not read Steve's blog & take a drink of beverage especially if the story involves Widget!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | July 26, 2010 at 03:19 AM
I'm glad that I had just swallowed the tea that was in my mouth when I read the last paragraph or I would have spit tea all over the place from laughing! You have such a wonderful way with words! I can just picture Widget sitting in a corner of the deck in "time out"! Gotta give her credit...she's persistent! :)
Posted by: Ann | July 26, 2010 at 12:40 AM
Counter cruising is a great pass time for these 4-legged pups - even if they don't quite reach. I think Widget should at least have received a morsel for her efforts - not detention! :>)))
Posted by: Becky in Bedford NH | July 25, 2010 at 10:27 PM
"for our evidence files"; Steve, you owe me a keyboard!!!
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | July 25, 2010 at 09:13 PM
That little Widget is going to have to get herself a step stool! LOL!
Posted by: Leila - Washington | July 25, 2010 at 09:11 PM