His name is Otto. Otto the Wonder Dog. And while we’re away from Sonoma for a week, Otto is holding down the fort. He’s brought along a friend, who likes to fancy himself the owner. But Ed is really only here for several useful tasks he can perform with opposable thumbs. Things like taking pictures and opening cans of dog food. But it’s really Otto’s show this week up in Sonoma. He’s the new Terrier Sheriff. Not that he’s completely terrier. There is quite a bit of Beagle and Dachshund in the mix, but he’s got enough terrier that we’re convinced he’ll be able to keep the varmints at bay while we’re gone. Maybe his mixed heritage will even be an advantage. Fox Terriers are all about the sight and the squeak, if a varmint is clever enough to slink through the grass quietly, Lucy and Oscar completely miss him. But Otto’s got that Beagle nose and we’re hoping he’ll use it to mount a new offensive against the moles, voles and critters who are getting after my tomatoes. In fact, I hadn’t even pulled out of the gate Thursday and Otto was already on the case.
Here’s Otto patrolling the upper vineyards.
Otto the Wonder Dog guarding the barn.
Yes, Otto’s on the job. Although he does plan to have Ed take him perambulating around Sonoma, in town and on the hiking trails in the area. So if you see this little Beagle Terrier mix leading his human around, stop and say “Hi!” Otto’s always up for a good pat and a head scritch.
Note: All photos are by Ed (known as ejbSF on Flickr). You can see more of his photography here. You see, Otto knew those opposable thumbs would come in handy.
Good thing Otto’s there to keep the varmints in line
So how do Oscar and Lucy get along with Otto? Showdown at the Terrier Corral? 😉
We wisely arranged that they not meet just yet. However, they will Thursday when we have the official Terrier Changing of the Guard. I’ll keep you posted.
Part beagle, part terror. The varmints won’t stand a chance! How do I know? I live with one of them.
I’m thinking Otto maybe did help keep the varmints down, at least around the tomatoes. He spent a lot of time in that area; I made sure he wasn’t committing any mischief (he rarely does unless chicken is involved) but otherwise let him be. There’s grass near the produce fence and he loves munching on it. But knowing how diligent he is in keeping my my city back yard free from incursions by squirrels, mice, birds and even the occasional rat, I think he may have kept critters away from the tomatoes during our visit – at least I saw no half-munched ones. So at least one of us earned our keep at TTV!
Unfortunately, Otto’s chauffeur (that would be me) had to come back a day early, so Oscar, Lucy and da pooch didn’t get a chance to meet. I’m waiting to hear from Lisa their reaction when they figure out he was there. Hope they aren’t too put out.
Oscar and Lucy are not big “smellers”. They hunt by sight and by the squeak. So they are completely oblivious to the fact that Otto was here. Or maybe they accept him as a fellow terrier.
Otto certainly did keep the varmints down. I came up here to a bumper crop of tomatoes.