I need to lay the foundation for the story I am about to post. Treasure has a poodle friend named Jefferson, pictured here in his "Spy Dog" character. His Mom-person and I attend a weekly Bible study and are privileged to bring our dogs to the home in which we meet. Treasure and Jefferson have pretty much declared "ownership" of this home, lovingly called "the Dollhouse" by its owner, Jo. 
One final note: these two dogs have totally opposite temperaments or personalities. That will be reflected in the story, which is lovingly embellished but based on truth by my dear friend Lois White. So sit back and enjoy!Spy Dog and McLeod in
THE CASE OF THE DOLLHOUSE INVASION
The day began routinely enough… Treasure and I traveled to Auntie Jo’s Dollhouse for our usual play date. We enjoyed treats, backyard roaming and lots of hugs and smiles from Auntie and friends.
(Treasure McLeod and I, Jefferson Lincoln, are allowed to visit Auntie Jo’s because we are special. We are not sure what all of this means but we like it!)
After greeting everyone and being appropriately admired, praised and pampered we began our customary, courtesy inspection of the Dollhouse for, …well…, dolls. We have never found any dolls but we keep looking.
Out of respect to Auntie Jo, we have not mentioned the lack of dolls to anyone. Nor have we told her that those of us who leave our ‘paw prints’ in the sand affectionately call her home ‘The Dog House’.
But back to my story… All seemed well at first sniff. Treasure and I were chasing about, casually checking the premises with our usual sense of playful abandonment. Then our game became serious.
Treasure stopped suddenly and solidly on her stout Westie paws… so suddenly that I almost became a permanent spot on her long, strong Westie tail (fortunately my four-paw braking system kicked in). With typical poodle quickness I assessed the situation and knew that danger was lurking near.
Treasure and I exchanged knowing canine glances. We immediately assumed the roles of “Spy Dog and McLeod”, our alter egos for fighting crime as we see it.
Dressed as Spy Dog I bulk-up my four and a half pounds of pure canine muscle with a trench coat and doggles. Treasure calls herself McLeod and hides ‘in plain sight’ exactly as she is. Treasure believes in the obvious and I in the dramatic. What a team!
At this point our story takes a sinister turn…. all did not smell well in the Dollhouse. McLeod focused her mature, (she is nine years old) canine senses on the carpet. I was at her side, my three year old nose to the floor, trying to see through my doggles.
Woof! I verified the scent! Treasure had sniffed correctly! The premises had been the scene of a multiple, canine home invasion. Sorting the scents required our most masterful, skillful and systematic crime scene investigation. No nap was left unsniffed.
Side by side, inch by inch, sniff by sniff … we fearlessly inspected the carpet. Relying on the tried and true ‘Only the Nose Knows For Sure’ system, the invading scents were individually located and researched with on-the-spot, canine, nasal accuracy. Not even a crime lab could have matched our teamwork!
Quickly we identified and dismissed Diana’s Chloe as friendly. A previous misdemeanor on my part was found in the carpet. It was identified as non-threatening. The remaining scents were labeled ‘of unknown origin’ and tagged for elimination. As Spy Dog and McLeod, Treasure and I had proudly completed our evaluation with satisfying accuracy.
We discarded our disguises and returned to the ladies. They were blissfully unaware of our adventure and the impending danger. Good. We did not want to alarm them. Treasure assured me that from her experience they wouldn’t understand anyway. Since this was my first case, I relied on her considerable wisdom.
Treasure and I next assumed casual, relaxed poses in a sunny spot near the door. We appeared to be basking in the warmth of the moment but in canine reality we were plotting the destruction of the invaders. As we talked I reminded Treasure of my earlier indiscretion in the crime scene area. Did she want me to dominate the area once more? She was thoughtful.
What to do? Whiffs of invasive smells emanated continuously and annoyingly from the seemingly innocent carpet. Our canine senses were insulted! It was an intolerable situation. We had to do something. And, so we did… or in this case, Treasure did.
With precision timing Treasure and I locked eyes. Dog-determination dominated all canine training, all loving obedience, and all people pleasing. Everything we knew was overcome with pure and simple animal instinct! We became the ‘wolves in your living room’, personified. Our adrenaline soared.
In the clarity of the moment Treasure did what she knew must be done. She put paws to thoughts. It was time to reclaim our space! Dominate the area! Squelch the invasion! And that is just what she did! What a woman! What a diva! With one final act we once more owned the Dollhouse. We were leaping in our laurels!
Then we heard it; the crisp, clear voice of reality abruptly halted our exuberance. Treasure’s person had identified her act of dominance as a simple ‘pee on the carpet’ action. No dignity. No praise. No appreciation.
At this point Treasure received ‘the scolding’. She listened respectfully, looked sad and sought forgiveness. We both knew that it was a brilliant piece of acting on her part! Treasure had saved the Dollhouse and its occupants! In her heart and mine she was a hero!
Other stories have been circulated but these are the facts as we, Treasure McLeod and Jefferson Lincoln, know them concerning the events of April third two thousand eight.
The moral of this story is:
“A little scolding endured for the greater good builds confidence and character”.
Written with enormous poetic license by Lois White
Based on the facts as told by
Jefferson Lincoln of Critter Creek and Treasure McLeod of Clearfield Manor
© April 14, 2008
A special surprise was waiting for me this afternoon - on Mother's Day - roses from Murphy! And not only roses, but a box of chocolate covered strawberries! I think he was making up for the last 30 something years! Needless to say, I am very touched by his show of affection.
