Late Monday afternoon I was standing at the big table in the solarium in the dog room, dishing up their dinner into countless bowls, when the phone rang. Kate had been bringing in the last few dogs from outside, including Owen the blind Beagle, who we usually let run around the dog room while we're feeding the others. I was still on the phone when Kate was ready to leave, so I waved goodbye to her. After I finished the call, I filled some more bowls and then headed into the room to hand them out. That's when I saw the guilty party above, caught red-pawed with the evidence right in front of him.
When Kate left, there had been no boot there. When Kate left, the only dog left in the room was Owen. Some may call this circumstantial evidence, but it seems like an open and shut case to me. And just look at the body posture, too. "Dang, caught in the act! Where did he come from?!?" In fact, this character has come before the Court of Canine MisBehaviors before on the same charges. He seems to have a hankering for barn boots. (Always something deliciously tasty on them, no doubt.) He finds them in the mud room, just outside the dog wing, and pulls them into the room and onto the bed for a chewfest.
A minute later, having been photographed, he was pretending not to be interested in the boot:
But we weren't falling for it. Guilty!
The golden rule: IF IT DOESN'T FIT YOU MUST ACQUIT!!!
I've got your back Owen!
Posted by: Deidra T | April 06, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Haha, so cute. Dogs are so playful :)
Posted by: How to teach a dog to roll over | April 06, 2012 at 09:30 AM
They SOooo know. And the expression is priceless. :) I am always gratified by my dogs sense of right and wrong. A good "evil eye" scold now being worth a thousand words.
Owen reeled in "the big fish" for sure.
Posted by: Margaret | April 05, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Owen, you funny boy! Gotta hide the evidence next time ...
Posted by: Lisa K. - San Diego | April 05, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Thanks for the laugh today! Those pictures are priceless. Owen is such a character and he would definitely keep me smiling all day! So what sentence did you hand down to him? And will he have a record following him for the rest of his life? lol
Maybe you can buy him his own set of boots on which you can put some delectable smells and tastes!
Posted by: Ann | April 04, 2012 at 07:10 PM
That boot is practically as big as he is! Quite a feat (feet?) for a little guy. If it wasn't for the glowing eyes you'd never know he's blind. He clearly knows he's been caught and is putting on a good show of innocence. How could anyone accuse that face?...
Posted by: Tonya Allen | April 04, 2012 at 04:28 PM
I have a small white miscreant in my house who also likes barn boots (one of mine has a V chewed out of it). When he is caught in the act w/something that's not a toy (he seems to also like paper) he always claims "somebody put this in my mouth".
Posted by: Janet | April 04, 2012 at 01:58 PM
Busted. But was he read his Miranda rights? Did he make his phone call? Has his attorney visited him yet? Is it a conspiracy? Did the weiner dogs set him up? Hmmmmmmm.
Posted by: Penny | April 04, 2012 at 01:39 PM
Too Fuuny!! I have caught Timmy many a times with that same expression on his face!! He leaves the evidence but has the smarts not to be caught with it!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | April 04, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Another great story and pictures to start my day with a chuckle. You are a wonderful writer and I wonder if you have ever considered publishing a book with all of your stories and pictures. I would certainly buy it if you did because I love going back and reading them.
Posted by: Kathy Hertzel | April 04, 2012 at 08:26 AM
Even with that bright green kong - guess it can't compete with a big, muddy boot with extended chewing time to cover it all. :)
Posted by: Angela | April 04, 2012 at 03:06 AM
Owen wants a lawyer!! He was set up!! It's the wiener dogs, they are always trying to cause trouble and get poor innocent beagles or beagle adjacent hounds in trouble.
Posted by: Bob | April 03, 2012 at 08:28 PM
Hummm,Canine Court of Misbehaviors. Did you read him his rights? Does he understand the charges against him? Is he competent to stand trial? Owen, get a lawyer!! Ooops - I think there is already a lawyer in the house. You're toast Owen.....deal with it!
Posted by: Peggy S. | April 03, 2012 at 08:14 PM
That is HILLARIOUS!!!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | April 03, 2012 at 06:38 PM