Innocent or Naughty?

A recent discovery has forced me to employ some special Sherlock Holmes powers of deduction and observation while try to solve a mystery concerning Elsa. Oh sure, she looks the picture of innocence…all snuggled up in a tight curled ball. Sleeping so serenely. But is that really what’s going on in this case?

A bit of background on this little girl. Almost from the time she was rescued, she would ‘dig’ at her bed. Not just a couple of paw scratches to create some kind of nest, but some seriously digging. Like she was digging to China. She paws, scratches and digs with her front paws, then circles around the heap and flops down. It’s entertaining as all get out, but bizarrely weird since I’ve never had a dog that dug like that so intensely. She goes full-on excavator for several minutes.

A couple of days ago in an early morn pit stop in the backyard, my sweet girl went to relieve herself like a good girl. I was still kind of asleep and it was barely light so nothing out of the ordinary registered in my still sleepy brain. And then we went out again following breakfast (now fully awake) and I’m aghast to see ‘something’ odd and rather indescribable in the pile left earlier. Clearly it was something not exactly typical. OMD…it looked like a piece of fabric! I just shook my head. What the heck had she eaten now?

Notice anything unusual from the above picture of innocence to this full frame photo? Like that hole? While ‘digging toward China’ in the studio, I discovered there was something missing from the blanket that the dogs take turns laying on. It always makes me smile when they switch places on the blanket. First Sam, then Elsa. But when I saw Elsa next to it, I realized there was something unusual about it.

Yup, seems my…ahem…sweet little Ninja apparently ate part of the blanket. I think that what I saw in the back yard might have been that piece of missing fabric although I still can’t say with 100% certainty that it’s not something else. with this girl. Guess I better check the toys closely, my sock drawer, and anything else not nailed down.  Oh. That. Dog.

So you tell me…the picture of innocence or mischievously naughty? Either way – yikes!

Live, love, bark! ❤︎

41 thoughts on “Innocent or Naughty?

  1. Mew mew mew mee finks pickture of innycence Lady Monika….
    Elsa you has to hide thee evvydence better next time; jus tsayin…. 😉
    ~~head rubsss~~ Siddhartha Henry~~

  2. FiveSibesMom – Mom, along with my daughter, to five beautiful Siberian Huskies we fondly call "The Kids." One, Gibson, is an Epi-Husky and was diagnosed in 2009 with Canine Epilepsy. I have published a children's illustrated book, a FiveSibes™ Tale, called "What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy," and "EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy." I also published a second FiveSibes Tale: "Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness, and "Buddy, the Christmas Husky~A True Holiday Miracle." My Siberian Huskies are my muses for the FiveSibes blog and FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page and I love them very much! My books can be purchased from my publishing house: ArcticHouse Publishing at www.ArcticHousePublishing.com, and also on Amazon. (On Amazon, to be sure you have me, check that the seller is ArcticHouse Publishing).
    FiveSibesMom says:

    Oh, absolutely pure innocence. 😉

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Pawsome! In addition to be many things, now my pup will be a finalist on Project Runway. Guess I’d better check to see the sewing machine is tuned up and ready to go. 🙂

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Exactly! Probably just needed the pills to be removed from the flannel. Yeah, that’s it, pill removal by a pill! LOL

  3. tippysmom2 – I adopted a puppy in 2013 and it has been an adventure ever since. My Facebook friends love her stories, so thought I would share with others as well.
    tippysmom2 says:

    I think she is the picture of innocence. All circumstantial evidence, if you ask me. 😉

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Haha…the circumstances seem to speak for themselves. 😆

  4. Sand Spring Chesapeakes – Cambria, WI – My husband and I have six "furry" children Gambler, Glory, Guilty, Slammer, Gertie and one cat Bones and two furangel's Norman and Nellie. We breed Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. We are both avid hunters. We also enjoy competing with our dogs in hunt tests and field trials. That is where you can find us during the trial months which are April-September. When were not at a trial we are busy training our dogs. We go snow goose hunting in Canada each year and do all the hunting that Wisconsin offers.
    Sand Spring Chesapeakes says:

    whoops, we have some holy blankets at our house too.

  5. Funny puppies! If Max gets a shot at a paper towle with any kind of meat drippings on it, he will eat the towel. Later, he poops the towel back out, in recognizable condition. We call it his “self-wiping mode.” Well now, hope none of you were having dinner.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      LOL I don’t know how to respond to that except to say our dogs sure manage to bring us to our knees on a regular basis. Oh Max…shaking head. You little scamp.

  6. Life with pets…you start off with the best of everything and end up in tatters! ;p

    the critters in the cottage xo

  7. We barely have a blanket or towel in the house that has not been chewed by Riley. He would sometimes get fancy and carefully rip the stitches out of quilts. I am familiar with the phenomena you describe! Oh, and sometimes I would have to pull a hanging piece of cloth the rest of the way out of his you know what.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Oh joy…can’t wait for that day! 😝

  8. We think that is only circumstantial evidence and if the blankie doesn’t fit you must acquit!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

    Pee Ess – I do a special dig/dance in my bed too.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      That’s a good way to describe it!

  9. Chewing or sucking on wool or other fabrics is actually common in some cats, particularly the oriental breeds. Experts think in some cases the animal could use this behavior as a comforting stress reliever…very possible in Elsa’s case given her background.

  10. I’m fairly certain she has NO idea how that happened! She looks so innocent! Even with that little gleam of mischief in her eyes. It’s always something, isn’t it? And half the time, we’re left scratching our heads and saying, “What the @#$%!”

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      You can’t imagine how many times during a day I say that! Bwahahaha!!!

  11. Dakota/Caren/Cody – Michigan – Freelance writer, pet blogging professional, product influencer, half of the writing team behind Dakota's Den and "Cat Chat With Cody & Caren" Most importantly, I am a "pet mom" to Dakota, (Shetland Sheepdog) and Cody (my silver gray tabby!)
    Dakota/Caren/Cody says:

    “Yikes!” is right! Also with that digging, wondering if she is part cat? lol!

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      More like mole! Hahaha

  12. 3 bum swings! 3 more!
    In my day of naughty nibbling I liked to chew expensive items like the AC cord ( thankfully unplugged), my huMoms 100 ft rubber hose, computer cords, the car seat belt, well, you get the picture.😉
    Hopefully Elsa will grow out of it like I did.
    Stay safe innocent one😉

    Nose nudges
    CEO Olivia

  13. Eartha – Toronto, Canada – Welcome fellow foodies, healthy living enthusiasts, home cooks, and chefs at heart – let’s have some fun with food! My name is Eartha (@earthacooks). Whether it’s from preparing your favourite dish and sharing it with friends and family, or – let’s be honest – eating, food is a major source of joy in everyday life. I’m an advocate for nutritious, healthy eating, and have a passion for creating vibrant, flavourful dishes, using healthy down to earth ingredients. Join me on a journey into a cleaner, greener lifestyle, and discover Cooking Green Goodness. Follow my fun, healthy, food-focused exploits, cooking with kids series, tasty recipes and beautiful imagery. “All you’ll need is a slightly expanded pantry, a good knife, the soul of a cook – and your appetite,” as stated in one of my favourite cookbooks “Whole World Vegetarian” by Marie Simmons.
    Eartha says:

    Oh that sweet little ninja! It’s hard to decide. It seems that’s just her thing. She looks quite innocent in the pic but then there’s that hole. Makes me smile. 🙂

  14. Genevieve Petrillo – I'm a teacher-turned-writer - Author of Keep Your Ear on the Ball (Tilbury, 2007) and What If I Don't? (Meegenius, 2014). I love doing school visits and author talks. My stories, poetry, and teaching ideas have been seen in many teachers' and children's magazines. In my free time, I volunteer with Ocean County Volunteers for the Blind and TheraPet.
    Genevieve Petrillo says:

    Naughty for sure. Oh, E. Where will you girls sleep if you eat all the blankets? You are busted for this naughty behavior.

    Love and licks and good luck,
    Cupcake

  15. Well I have no advice here, you know that. With Delilah the Destroyer, anything is possible. It does seem odd to me that she ate it, has she ever eaten anything before?

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Oh Jodi, where to start? Other than 2 pairs of glasses, how about 1/3 of a thick wool sock, a pair of footlets, shall I continue? That dog is a canine garbage disposal. And you thought you had it rough! LOL 😂

  16. My Golden Life – Upstate South Carolina – I love animals, especially dogs. I enjoy US history, and reading biographies of our former presidents and other historical figures. I love the music of the '60s and '70s since I was growing up in those decades. I love the Beatles and Andy Williams equally.
    My Golden Life says:

    All four of my pups have been bed diggers, with the intensity varying by dog. Kissy used to dig and scratch and rearrange the bed to get it “just so” and then circle it and flop down. Callie went through all the silliness that Kissy did but then she would go and lay down on the OTHER dog bed. Shadow normally just digs and scratches just once before laying down. Ducky? It all depends on….? Her mood maybe? I have no idea. But occasionally – when she’s been particularly anxious – she has chewed holes in her blankies. So far, the newest blanket is still hole-free.

  17. Kismet – New River, Arizona. – I'm a 16 year old Indian Ringneck parrot curmudgeon in New River, Arizona in the wild west country. If you're a sunflower seed, you're dinner.
    Kismet says:

    Uh oh. She’s digging to China because she’s pregnant and has a craving for egg rolls.

  18. My Molly is a digger too. She has to squnch up her bed until it’s all uneven and folded in half and whatnot, then flop onto it. It looks so uncomfortable, but to each his own I guess.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      I have that princess and the pea thing going on too and there’s NO way I could sleep on a rumpled pile of blankets. Don’t understand how they do it!

  19. Digging, tearing even, I can understand…but eating it! Was it to hide the evidence?

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      She’s clever, but I think she’s also bold and wouldn’t care. Probably attributable to her puppy mill days.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      That’s one way to interpret it, isn’t it? Silly dog!

  20. edgar62 – Semi-retired in South Australia. Interests are Music (Andre Rieu, Anna Netrebko) Reading (SciFi / Crime) and History Movies: The Day After Tomorrow, Casablanca, The Man Who Would be King Community: Secretary Support group, Royal Flying Doctor Service.
    edgar62 says:

    An interesting mystery to be sure, Watson. At least a two pipe problem. Be a good chap and pass me my violin…

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      LOL, ‘pawsome’ response!

  21. easyweimaraner – brittany – Weimaraner /Braque de Weimar, born in 2009, male & fabulous From: Britanny / France Likes: Plushtoy-Shredding, Spikebones,long distance Walks, everyday a Gift, Chicken, Shoes, Underwear, my squeekie Pig & my whole Life Dislikes: Water, Cats, Beaf, Cats, cleaning my Ears, Cats, the Vet, Cats, Snow & CATS! Profession: Student of psychological War-technics & Terrorism, after my Masterdegree i become to rule the world or maybe to be the owner of toys r us. actually i'm not sure... Status: Single Pets: Hell, NO! i prefer a petfree home. but owner of two slaves for my comfy Misc.: Greencardowner for Masterbed, Master of Beggin, Prince of Thiefs We decided to leave Easy's datas as they were... although we lost him in november 2016, he is still with us.... and his little brothers Phenny and Nelly promised to write on not as Easy the weim, but as easy Weimaraner... About us: Mr. Phoenix, born 9/9/2016 a virgo and always clever&smart...Neilson, born 7/28/2017 a leo who thinks he is clever&smart...
    easyweimaraner says:

    maybe that’s ac of the blanket? it makes sense in summer to have an airhole ;o) Phenny is a bed digger too, from the first day… you should see our bed sheets… like a swiss cheese ;O)

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Could be if it wasn’t still a tad crisp temp wise, so far AC hasn’t been necessary. What IS it about these weirdo bed diggers?

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