Following his evening meals recently, Keaton has not been coming inside, preferring to laze in the cool night air as the dew settles in for its overnight stay. However, during the many invitations issued for the young master to join his family inside, he will be found missing, disappearing into the black obscurity engulfing our few acres of a nighttime. When called, long minutes of waiting will find the weary and puffing form of Keaton’s predominately white coat slowly materializing, as if an apparition, in the distant reaches of the light from the back verandah. Keaton wanders wearily up the path, acknowledges me with a look of “I’ll be with you in a minute” and heads straight for the water bucket from which he drinks long and hard, often preferring to “chomp” on the water at the bottom of the bucket. When the young master’s thirst is sated he’ll flop on the dew-dampened grass rest the heavy head on the lawn then look up at me with inquiring eyes. I go to his side applying long lingering strokes down his now moist coat and shudder at the dirt adorning his paws and feathering of his lower forelegs. Not mud, but curiously very fine dirt.

Quick searches during hours of daylight have given no clues as to Keaton’s nocturnal activity, until today’s more extensive search that is. A search brought on by the thoroughly filthy condition that Keaton presented himself in last night when time came for bed.

In one corner of Liquorice and Keaton’s realm resides a huge heap of waste potting mix left from our years as nurserymen. Over the years that heap grew added to by the contents of pots that had died, overgrown plants, plant material, etc and periodically pushed up into the shape of a miniature mountain with a front-end loader. These days it is covered in grass. Leaves and twigs rain down from the towering gumtrees nearby, and this “mountain” is covered also by an interesting variety “survivors” such as Philodendrons, Geraniums, “mother-in-law’s tongue”, and other assorted indoor and outdoor foliage plants. Liquorice and Keaton both love exploring their little “mountain”, scenting the passing of rabbits that burrowed into its depths. However it always seemed “undisturbed” and devoid of excavations of canine origin.

Today I visited the back of that heap, and sure enough I discovered Keaton’s nightly occupation, and why our Landseer boy has been so tired of late! The young master had excavated the beginnings of a “tunnel” into the “mountain’s” interior! Thoughtful fellow that he is, Keaton has allowed plenty of room for Liquorice to join him, should she so desire, for this tunnel would allow for two-way traffic! A rabbit burrow was visible at the far end, partially hidden by some collapsed potting mix. Keaton must have seen a bunny run down the burrow and followed, burrowing his way in a monumental fashion! Just as well the roots of the plants covering “Mount Keaton” have a good hold preventing any unwanted cave-ins!

Keaton has since been shown his excavation and was told “No!” several times. I think the young master understood, in fact, I believe that he may even have been relieved that his “digging days” have ended!

Arthur Witten
Keaton – I’ve been working down the mines!
Liquorice – I supervise. Next project, I’ll have Keaton dig a swimming pool!