It’s just a dark spot barely visible at dawn in the middle of the road. But it’s different. It’s out of place. From fifty yards away, the big dog’s radar chirps and she’s on high alert. From a lazy walk to Defcon 5 in seconds. She stands up straight. Ears are up. Brow is crease. Nose is working at top speed. Tail sways. Hackles don’t go up. She saves that for other dogs.
What is it? Is it a small animal? Is it dead, or just leisurely crossing the road? Is it someone’s fast food trash bag? Or recycling that blew out of the bin? This is exciting!
I see the reality long before she does. It’s just a piece of palm tree that blew into the road during last night’s thunderstorms. It’s not till we get a few feet away that she gives up the thrill of the hunt. Her posture relaxes. Ears hang back down. She’s already looking down the road for the next target.
More specifically, she’s looking for the next bunny. She never misses one by the side of the road or on a lawn, even in the pre-dawn darkness. A pull or a pause signals she’s spotted one. The bunny sits perfectly still, as if that equates to being invisible. Spoiler: it’s not. She smells and sees them all.
She loves to follow birds and airplanes that fly overhead, too.
Even though it’s a familiar route, it’s always an adventure.
Waite for it... 