Furniture

As a Scottish terrier, Islay is built low to the ground, but even with her lack of size and very short legs, she can jump surprisingly high. In early days, I would be bringing her dish to her and would be greeted with a leap that seemed about two feet off the ground - she was almost high enough to see what was in her bowl.

So furniture was easy for her. Now I know there is a school, the views of which are very strict about dogs on furniture. Simply put, that would be a definite no-no.

I live in a house with lots of windows and furniture in front of or near windows. Islay discovered that by getting up on a chair or sofa she could survey the territory beyond for squirrels, especially squirrels. Ducks and geese had their attraction, but the dastardly squirrel holds a special position in the ranking of preferred target for the terrier.

On one sofa, Islay sits on the top corner and looks to the lake. On another and larger sofa, she curls into the top corner in a position which allows her to look out windows in every direction. In this way she becomes our very own security monitor.

In the afternoons and evenings, she finds a pillow in the center of this sofa, and sleeps on it until someone moving about requires her attention and investigation or offers her the opportunity to go outside to search for squirrels.

There are two chairs she uses as well. Standing on the arms she gets a good look at what might be going on, and if there is activity which intrigues her she heads for the full glass door to the deck, out of which she can see easily or for the dinner room windows, out of which she can see by simply getting up on her hind legs.

She has great fun in all this; we like watching it happen; and she might be the best informal security system around.

We cover the furniture with inexpensive throws from Ikea and often forget to remove them when company arrives. Well, Islay is a member of the family and is encouraged to participate much of the time.

Frankly, she expects that, and we wouldn't have it any other way.