What is that awful smell? Oh my, it\u2019s getting worse, and everyone\u2019s still at the table doing\u2026something. Walking toward the table only makes it worse. Sneeze\u2014sneeze\u2014sneeze. Her paws reach the table edge, mostly for balance. Bowls of color breathe a new, pungent, sour into the mix. She sneezes and shakes her head; it\u2019s still there. Under the table is a little better. Try the other side\u2014nope. Hands close around her ribs, lifting. No\u2014this is worse. She twists free, hits the tile, and runs for the door. I need air!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the patio, fresh air can\u2019t fill her nose fast enough; the sour, gaseous smell still lingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daiiiisy\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo not finish that sentence, Oleander. I am not in the mood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She needed a perch with a clear view of the yard and a little cover so nothing could sneak up on her\u2014a spot to think and observe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out of the corner of her eye, she catches a slight movement. The low branches of the Japanese Maple move, giving way to round green tufts. Daisy recognizes the invitation. She goes to the tufts, sniffs first, presses a paw to ensure nothing\u2019s hiding, then climbs up. Cool, soft, with some give\u2014they fit her perfectly. The Maple\u2019s branches stretch over, shading the spot and giving a bit of cover from above. Daisy likes the protective perch with a clear view of the yard. Settling in, she sends her thanks, silently, to the maple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One last deep breath to clear the odious smell\u2014another sneezing fit shakes her. Butterfly flutters to a safe distance. When the sneezing passes, Daisy sinks into her perch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHi, Butterfly!\u201d Daisy says. \u201cWhy are you so far behind me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Butterfly studies the pup stretched out on the tufts, gauging whether they\u2019ll set her off again. \u201cI prefer to do greetings at a sociable distance, not flattened against your nose.\u201d As she speaks, Butterfly flutters before Daisy. \u201cThat aside, good afternoon, Daisy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daisy gives her best puppy-dog eyes. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Butterfly. It wasn\u2019t my intention to greet you like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Butterfly can\u2019t stay upset at those sorrowful eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s alright, pup. I know you didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bumble buzzes by with his posse and waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once again, Ashe\u2019s baritone\u00a0finds her before the words do. \u201cCan humans not smell? I don\u2019t know how they sit in that odious mix, enjoying themselves. I could barely breathe. Why are they coloring eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashe pauses; he already knows. \u201cThis is the time of year they color eggs. One hides them and the kids go looking. It\u2019s a human ritual\u2014every year. And their noses aren\u2019t as capable as yours, Daisy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLucky them,\u201d Daisy grouses. Thinking ahead to avoid this in the future: \u201cHow do I know when it\u2019s coming?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSmell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSmell what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSmell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She stretches her head forward past the grass scent of the tufts and catches a sweet note with a spicy finish. \u201cMmm\u2026what is that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHyacinths. When you see or smell them in the air, this happens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNoted. But why eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A twig bounces on the cement by Daisy\u2019s perch. \u201cEggs!\u201d Hummingbird gasps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hummingbird zips to the window, peeks, and comes back, swooping down to pick up her twig. An empathetic sigh escapes her: \u201cChickens.\u201d With that, Daisy watches her go back to her nest building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turning her head to settle back into the tufts, she comes face to face with a small, brown, fuzzy thing holding a walnut. Startled, Daisy pops up. The animal takes off for Ashe. Daisy gives chase. The squirrel jumps to the trunk and scurries, its nails scratching the rough bark of the old tree. Daisy circles the trunk, tracking its spiral climb. She tracks it through the branches to the long one that shades Oleander. She stands to one side, near Oleander, and just makes out the squirrel hiding behind a thicker patch of leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou get out of that tree and leave this yard immediately!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The squirrel laughs and strides down the branch almost directly over her, his bushy tail swishing in time with his strides, giving him a little extra bravado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs that the best you got? Is that the all-powerful \u2018Daisy the Destroyer\u2019 bark? Hey, mates\u2014come meet Daisy the Dainty!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n More squirrels appear on the branch and the one above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “All of you get out of here! This is not your yard!\u201d Daisy says. Behind her, Oleander laughs. \u201cGood one, Patrick\u2014\u2018Daisy the Dainty.\u2019 Aww, our little girl\u2014does she want to play tea party? Boys, anything to bring to her tea party?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The squirrels vanish for a beat\u2014then return with leftover shells and pelt her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no way she is backing down. She runs back and forth, dodging shells. \u201cYour days are numbered. I will get you out of here.\u201d The twittering fades; a few stop. Maybe I\u2019m getting to them\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Behind her, Oleander laughs\u2014bright and needling\u2014and the barrage starts up again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daisy plants her feet. \u201cI won\u2019t be small forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a beat, the shells falter. A few squirrels freeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swoosh! The slider opens, and the woman walks out. She picks up a stick; the squirrels scatter. She looks down at the shells, frustrated. \u201cGood dog, Daisy! Get those squirrels out of here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daisy does her Aussie wiggle, flashing her big smile. She comes close for praise\u2014maybe a cuddle\u2014then darts back to her perch. She can still smell that horrible egg smell; the woman needs to air out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The yard exhales. Calm takes root in the stillness; the yard has made its choice.\u00a0Hummingbird, Butterfly, and Ashe trade looks.\u00a0Hummingbird and Butterfly nod to Ashe.\u00a0It\u2019s time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The yard has seen it\u2014the fight, the speed (she nearly had that fat tail), the Guardian traits residing in the Shepherd. In her, Australian Shepherd and Guardian mean the same thing. She\u2019s a natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On her perch, Daisy picks walnut shell shards from her fur and from between her pads. Flick, flick. Another sound rises\u2014the strength in her mother\u2019s voice.<\/em> \u201cYour voice will come. You are still young.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The comfort lands; the sting stays. Ashe\u2019s presence settles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI meant to wait,\u201d Ashe says, \u201cbut The Yard has chosen.\u00a0You\u2019re ready\u2014what you did today proves it. You saw the squirrel, chased it, and held your ground. We\u2019d be foolish not to put those instincts to work.\u00a0We have a job for you, Daisy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat? A job? For me?\u201d Daisy sits up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes. The yard needs a Guardian. Not just an Australian Shepherd\u2014in you, those are the same thing. There\u2019s more going on here than you\u2019ve seen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Skeptical, Daisy says, \u201cIs this just some role you made up to make me feel better?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashe\u2019s tone softens. \u201cWe were the ones hesitating. The yard already senses it in you; now it sees it. We won\u2019t deny it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat does a Guardian do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA Guardian isn\u2019t just strong or swift,\u201d Ashe says. \u201cThe yard chooses the one it can speak to\u2014and the one who will listen. Nose that knows what doesn\u2019t belong. Eyes that don\u2019t miss the flick in the leaves. A spine that doesn\u2019t back down to bullies. That\u2019s you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour work is simple and old. Keep the walnut-planters from burying nuts. When you find a walnut sprout, show the humans\u2014make it obvious: sit on the spot, paw once, stare\u2014but don\u2019t dig up their beds or they\u2019ll keep you inside. Press the squirrels off the fence line. Watch over the new plantings the humans plant. Help the yard welcome back who belongs here\u2014Butterfly, Hummingbird, Bumble the bee\u2014and the rest will follow. You have allies; you\u2019ve already met them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWalnut-planters?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFirst, see what you\u2019re fighting for.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashe shares images from long ago: a beautiful yard full of zinnias, buddleias, roses, and shrubs. Clusters of butterflies in many colors. Bees thick over the flowers. Hummingbirds drinking from honeysuckle on a wide wooden arbor\u2014color everywhere and a lush lawn. The yard attracts the pollinators and invites them into the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWow. There\u2019s so much color and life in the yard of the past,\u201d Daisy says. \u201cI hear the family always talking about things dying right when they think they\u2019ll survive. There was a mole, but I\u2019d love to live in a garden like that. I guess these guys aren\u2019t so good at this kind of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashe shakes his leaves. \u201cNo\u2014it\u2019s the syndicate. They plant poison bombs\u2014black walnuts. The poison lives in the roots and sours the soil around it. Until the soil is replaced, nothing will thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daisy\u2019s eyes widen at how far the damage goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs for the squirrels who eat black walnuts,\u201d Ashe says, \u201cthey grow aggressive\u2014slowly obsessed. Their plan is simple: plant as many walnut trees as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOleander and the Trumpet Tree think height will keep them safe,\u201d Ashe says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat? Oleander can be a tree? She doesn\u2019t seem the type,\u201d Daisy says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashe\u2019s leaves rustle. \u201cShe was\u2014not long ago.<\/strong> Your humans got annoyed and cut her down to a stump. They never removed it, so now they keep her as a shrub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReally?\u201d Daisy can\u2019t help but giggle. \u201cMy, how the mighty have fallen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashe\u2019s tone softens. \u201cThey don\u2019t see how slow they grow\u2014or the risk. They\u2019re as vulnerable as any plant in the yard. The squirrels will turn on them, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He lets the images fade. \u201cWill you tell me more about what happened?\u201d Daisy asks. Hungry now, Daisy says goodbye and pads to the woman in the chair. She tucks in beside her, waiting while she finishes reading; t<\/strong>he woman smells a little better now. Daisy walks to the slider to ask for dinner, still turning over ways to answer those taunts. The door slides open and\u2014immediately\u2014she knows how she\u2019ll get even.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One move, many lessons. Oleander won\u2019t see it coming.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Daisy flashes her Australian smile as she steps inside, stopping Oleander mid-preen. Oleander is starting to dislike that smile.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Daisy faces the walnut syndicate, holds her ground, and learns the yard has chosen her to protect it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111203969,"featured_media":8983,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":true,"token":"eyJpbWciOiJodHRwczpcL1wvdGlkYml0c2FuZHdoYXRub3RzLmNvbVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNVwvMDlcL3RoYS1CYWNreWFyZC1lcGlzb2RlLXR3by10aGUtd2FsbnV0cy1hbmQtdGhlLXRyZWUuanBlZyIsInR4dCI6IlRoZSBCYWNreWFyZDogR3VhcmRpYW4taW4tVHJhaW5pbmcgJmFtcDsgVGhlIFdhbG51dCBTeW5kaWNhdGUiLCJ0ZW1wbGF0ZSI6ImhpZ2h3YXkiLCJmb250IjoiIiwiYmxvZ19pZCI6MTE3MzkxMDIzfQ.gQqOjBp14JsPaOYI4RPu2YYyoyn8rYYlLspQtb_uNQYMQ"},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[779323258],"tags":[779323244,308712,779323237,305,32202,779323245],"class_list":["post-8979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bedtime-stories","tag-ash-tree","tag-australian-shepherds","tag-backyard","tag-dogs","tag-squirrels","tag-the-backyard-series"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7WyLB-2kP","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8912,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=8912","url_meta":{"origin":8979,"position":0},"title":"The BackYard","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"August 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"A curious Aussie pup tumbles into a backyard alive with hummingbirds, bees, and a brooding Ash Tree \u2014 and unknowingly stirs the first whispers of a bigger plan.","rel":"","context":"In "Bedtime Stories"","block_context":{"text":"Bedtime Stories","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=779323258"},"img":{"alt_text":"A puppy sits on grass under an Ashe tree shade watching a butterfly, hummingbird and bumble bee enjoy a beautiful peach English rose.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Backyard-Series-Image.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Backyard-Series-Image.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Backyard-Series-Image.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Backyard-Series-Image.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7571,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=7571","url_meta":{"origin":8979,"position":1},"title":"\ud83d\udc3e\u00a0The Return of the Squirrels: A Funny Tribute to Our Backyard Jedi Dog\ud83d\udc3e\u00a0","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"April 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"After our Australian Shepherd passed, the squirrels reclaimed our backyard. A heartfelt blog post tribute to our Jedi dog\u2014and a free printable for fellow dog lovers.","rel":"","context":"In "Family & Dog"","block_context":{"text":"Family & Dog","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=195981"},"img":{"alt_text":"Australian shepherd Jedi standing on rock in front of a cosmic background in Jedi robes and holding a blue lightsaber","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jedi_Dog_Featured_1200x675.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8248,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=8248","url_meta":{"origin":8979,"position":2},"title":"I Didn\u2019t Lose My Mind \u2014 I Just Misplaced It in 47 Tabs","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"May 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I haven\u2019t lost my mind. Just buried it somewhere between summer travel plans, blackout dates, loyalty logins, and a tab that\u2019s been open for two weeks too long.","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=779323134"},"img":{"alt_text":"A man planning a vacation with a lot of tabs open and is overwhelmed with all the decisions.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tidbits-47-tabs-image-.png?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tidbits-47-tabs-image-.png?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tidbits-47-tabs-image-.png?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tidbits-47-tabs-image-.png?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tidbits-47-tabs-image-.png?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7727,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=7727","url_meta":{"origin":8979,"position":3},"title":"\ud83d\udc23\u00a0Sunday Shorts: \u201cOne Family Story Leads to Another\u201d","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"April 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The best part of a family holiday isn\u2019t the meal or the candy \u2014 it\u2019s the stories. The ones that resurface year after year, and the ones no one planned on sharing\u2026 but did anyway.","rel":"","context":"In "Sunday Shorts"","block_context":{"text":"Sunday Shorts","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=26400"},"img":{"alt_text":"A formal dining room with a table laid out for a big family Easter dinner. The room has spring decor with easter baskets around and two Bernese Mountain dogs laying under the table facing you.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Easter-dinner.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Easter-dinner.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Easter-dinner.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Easter-dinner.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Easter-dinner.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9437,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=9437","url_meta":{"origin":8979,"position":4},"title":"If Muffins Are Allowed, Why Not Cupcakes for Breakfast?","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"January 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A look at the unwritten rules of breakfast and why some sugary foods are acceptable in the morning while others are not.","rel":"","context":"In "Sunday Shorts"","block_context":{"text":"Sunday Shorts","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=26400"},"img":{"alt_text":"stacks of pancakes and chocolate cake on glass pedestals. Doughnuts,cookies and brownies spread around the table that Is in morning lights.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Decadent-breakfast-indulgence-in-sunlight.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Decadent-breakfast-indulgence-in-sunlight.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Decadent-breakfast-indulgence-in-sunlight.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Decadent-breakfast-indulgence-in-sunlight.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Decadent-breakfast-indulgence-in-sunlight.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9717,"url":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?p=9717","url_meta":{"origin":8979,"position":5},"title":"The Power of Vanilla","author":"Tidbits and Whatnots","date":"March 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"What started as a dog's strange obsession with doughnuts turned out to be something else entirely. It took me years to understand what Olive knew all along.","rel":"","context":"In "Family & Dog"","block_context":{"text":"Family & Dog","link":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/?cat=195981"},"img":{"alt_text":"Australian Shepherd looking innocent of all food crimes.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/olive-on-tuft.jpg?fit=1200%2C787&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/olive-on-tuft.jpg?fit=1200%2C787&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/olive-on-tuft.jpg?fit=1200%2C787&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/olive-on-tuft.jpg?fit=1200%2C787&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/olive-on-tuft.jpg?fit=1200%2C787&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/tha-Backyard-episode-two-the-walnuts-and-the-tree.jpeg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/111203969"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8979"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8979\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10047,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8979\/revisions\/10047"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tidbitsandwhatnots.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/em>\u201cWhat\u2019s up, little one? Why such a bad mood?\u201d he asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The twittering quiets; they hesitate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDaisy the Dainty.\u201d \u201cDaisy the Dainty.\u201d \u201cWant a tea party, little girl?\u201d
Oleander.
Anger, humiliation, and revenge swirl. Her voice\u2014how could it betray her like that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her mother\u2019s voice had strength and richness. When she\u2019d had enough, no one crossed her; even the squirrels scurried up the skinny maples to escape. Where is her voice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s enough for today,\u201d Ashe says. \u201cWe\u2019ll make a plan to thin their ranks another day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother day,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behind them, Oleander still snickers as she tends her flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n