I sniffed the crack in the wood. The target was so so close, yet so far! I scratched at the wood and circle around the deck, looking for a way in. Alas! All my searching was in vain.
Just then, my target peeped out cautiously from a tiny hole. I stared it down, daring it to come out. It made a mad scramble for escape, slipping between my paws. I must not let it get to the barn! My four paws thundered powerfully on the ground, my floppy ears streamed behind me in the wind. It will not get away this time.
It ran into the barn, but I was close behind it. I cornered it. Ha! I thought. I've got you now.
But it seemed the devious critter had another trick up its sleeves. It disappeared into another crack! Oh, if only I was about twenty times smaller! Then I could follow it, catch it, and ... I'm not quite sure what I would do after that.
I begged and pleaded with the creature to come out. I told it that I would not hurt it, only eat it. For some reason it would not respond. It would not even come out for the puppy dog eyes that worked so well on my humans!
Just then, my big floppy ears picked up my mother's voice, "Oreo! Dinner!" Now I had a moral dilemma to resolve. Do I continue to prance and prowl outside of the target's hiding place, where if I succeed I will capture a live prey for once, or do I go inside for the most important meal of the day, besides breakfast of course?
My stomach growled. I decided to show up for my meal, but not before making a last attempt at coaxing the creature out. When that failed, I yelled, "Curse you, devilish lizard! I'll get you next time!"
Putting off my pursuit for another day, I raced home. I hoped Mom served something more interesting than plain ol' dog kibbles. If not, I can use my patented puppy dog look to persuade Dad to drop something more tasty, maybe a medium rare steak if not a crispy lizard.
~LL
