I saw the most amazingly funny thing yesterday.... It was quite early for us to be out in the front garden with our dogs; about 7.30am and although Autumn here, the sun was quite bright. So while I was wandering around the front garden with my cup of tea checking out the plants to see whether any more out-of-season buds had appeared, our two dogs started chasing each other and were making a little bit of noise - generally having fun.

The noise was not loud or disturbing to those around us but just loud enough for the dogs next door to be alerted that there was something going on.

But to get this tale into context I need to go back a bit.... about two weeks ago new neighbours moved in next door with their two Staffordshire Bull Terrriers - beautiful animals who somehow managed to escape their confines within hours of their owners going to work and found themselves in our front yard. No collars, no identification whatsoever on the dogs but as they looked so loved and cared for we set about trying to find their owners. I might add that at this stage, we had no idea that they belonged to the new people right next door to us. To be honest these dogs do not enjoy a good rep. so I was a little nervous about approaching them but to my great joy I found they were beautiful animals - full of love, tails wagging and happy to be temporarily looked after.

So....we rang the local authorities; the RSPCA and the Pound. My husband even took them down to our local Vet to see if they had been chipped and the answer was in the negative; however the vet did take note of our names in case anyone who had lost their dog/s contacted him. We did the same thing at both the local Council offices and the Police Station. In the meantime we locked the lost dogs into our courtyard and put our own dogs inside our house. To say the least, it was a little chaotic as both sets of dogs really wanted to get to know the other!

After about two hours the owners of the lost dogs appeared in our driveway . Seems they had come home to find that their dogs had managed to do the houdini thing and after breaking out of the garage had escaped to explore parts unknown! Luckily the owners then rang the Council, found our names and came to claim their babies. They appeared to be very thankful that we had looked after them and they were taken directly home - really close by - fact is we share a fence.

So to get back to the begining of this story - there we were, out in the garden early yesterday morning enjoying the sun, when I heard a noise near the fence. By this stage we had moved to stand on our verandah and I was calling the dogs in, when I happened to look across the fence into the garden next door,and noticed movement UP the tree that stood in the middle of their garden. My mind could not believe what my eyes were showing me - both the Staffy's were literally up that big tree next door and were looking at us over the fence. They had climbed/walked along the branch of the tree, (a branch that runs along at about 45 degrees) and were both perched facing our way enjoying the view. There was no barking; just quiet observation.....talk about nosy neighbours.

I rushed in to get my camera but the battery was flat - I can only hope this event happens again and that when it does I will be armed and waiting with the flash!

Ted and Stolly (the Staffys) obviously decided they would like to check out what was going on in our garden and that as they could not see through the palings,just climbed the tree for a better look. Have to say I am still laughing at the incongruity of seeing these two well fed, solid dogs sitting up in the branches peering at us over the fence.

copyright: a.a.gallagher June 2009.

01/0709 - update - we were making a bit of noise in our front gardent his morning and what do you know but Ted - the staffy from next door - got up the tree to peep over the fence to see what was going on ! I had my camera ready as  far as the battery and access was concerned but mucked around getting it out and camera ready - and drat missed this photo op again - but only one dog not two up the tree this time....i will keep trying to bring you this amazing photo of a staffy or two up a tree!