A blog post by Josiah, the investigative Yorkie
The Tall Grass Is Full of Activity
My favorite thing about summer is how tall the grass grows in the field. I love to investigate. What looks like just a simple field of grass is actually an entire tiny world waiting to be explored.
Among those tufts of grass, I see amazing things. All kinds of insects, busy running and flying around, gathering nectar, buzzing, clicking, jumping. Shadows move along hidden trails. Tiny dirt holes open to underground worlds. It’s amazing!
Each blade of grass is different. Textures, shapes, scents. Each tells a very important story: who came through during the night, who is gathering food, who is adding onto their home.
Important events are taking place all around me in the grassy field. So many small and very busy lives bustling with activity. I love moving through the tall grass every morning, taking it all in.
My Investigative Methods
As an investigative Yorkie, I have my methods for exploring the grass and its creatures.
I always start with my Yorkie nose. I lean in to sniff each blade of grass. I have to read them one at a time because each blade has valuable information. I can’t just skim, or I might get the story wrong.
Then I find something to focus on, maybe a beetle that catches my eye. I tilt my head in a very scientific pose, then I stare straight at that bug, trying to see all I can. If the beetle starts moving in a curious way, I might actually pounce, to play along. I never catch anything; they’re too fast. But it’s fun. I become part of their world.
Then I look at the tallest blades of grass, the ones that have flowers on top. That’s where the flying, buzzing insects hang out. They seem to like the taste of those flowers.
I tried to munch on a flowering blade of grass once. It was pretty dry and had no flavor. But I guess those buzzing bugs like it. They sure are noisy and fun to watch. I might pounce a little, but mostly I just stare at them. They are so interesting. Their buzzing makes a pretty song.
If I smell something unusual, I might pause and freeze, waiting to see what will happen. Maybe it’s a creature that already moved through. But I wait to make sure all is clear.
If I catch the scent of a big creature, I might leap backward very quickly. Not because I’m afraid; just because I don’t know where the creature is right now. I want to stay out of his way, for observational purposes, of course. I’ll lift my head above the grass and look around. Nope. Coast is clear. He already moved through. Back to sniffing.
If I happen to find a possum trail, I will follow it quickly with my nose to the ground. I always get dizzy. Those silly possums run in circles. Soon I have to rest and find a slow bug to track.
Some Insects Don’t Want to Be Investigated
While most insects cooperate with my investigation, I’ve recently learned that some prefer to be left alone. They can be a little prickly.
One bug objected very strongly to my presence. I didn’t expect that kind of feedback. I jumped straight up in the air. Then I had to shake my paw for a while till the stinging stopped.
I learned that the tall grass needs to be respected with the utmost care. Some insects move fast and others take their time. Some are noisy, others are prickly. And some really prefer to be left alone.
I forget that I’m a giant compared to the creatures that crawl around in the grass. I need to be more intentional about where I place my paws.
I Will Keep Investigating
Even though that interruption was unpleasant and unexpected, it didn’t stop me from investigating. It’s what I do. I’m a Yorkie.
My fieldwork requires commitment, courage, and dedication each day. I must keep investigating the world of tall grass, no matter what surprises it might hold. That’s what exploration is all about. And I’m an inquisitive Yorkie, after all.
Sniffs and tickles,
Josiah
The Inquisitive Yorkie 