THURSDAY IN THE GARDEN WITH DANTE: SPACE INVADERS

Today is more drama than garden, but it takes place in the front garden nonetheless.  The changes in the garden are a backdrop to the developing suspense.

The colder nights have nipped the impatience in their pots and the leaves are drooping, though the flowers themselves are doing their best to stay upright and in bloom.

There is evidence of fall everywhere in the yellow and brown leaves strewn about the front lawn and onto the walkway.  The grass isn't as green and lush anymore.

And so, we find Dante -- positioned beside the now-empty container of squirrel food.  Mama had filled the container at least three-quarters of the way full, but one of the little black beasties decided to climb into it and spilled the entire contents onto the grass and the walkway.

Dante immediately hustled over to sniff out the remaining evidence of alien invasion.  He stuck his own nose in the dish and breathed in every inch of squirrelly essence.

And then suddenly, it appears as if by magic, only to find the Guardian of the Garden guarding the goodies!

"Maybe if I look de udder way he'll disappear!" thinks the squirrel, ever-hopefully.

Dante seems to be thinking the very same thing.

But no!  A quick check back confirms the squirrel's deepest fears.

Then, they both hunker down for a face-off, but neither will concede a millimeter!

In another instant, the squirrel just dashes away, as Dante stares after him.

"He sure is fast!", remarks Dante.

And in yet another instant, the wily little creature appears on the opposite side.  He has circled completely around, hoping to catch The Guardian off-guard.

But Dante's ready for him this time.  Did the silly squirrel really think he'd just disappear from his own garden?   "This is MY SPACE!", declares Dante in no uncertain terms, as the squirrel dashes off.

Dante follows him and repositions himself at the bottom of the tree.

"I see yoo up dere!", he shouts.

"And dis is MY SPACE!" the squirrel retorts.

"I guess dat's fair", admits Dante, as the two amicably arrive at a Peace TREEty!

And they both lived happily eFUR after...

... but only in your dreams!