It’s Day 21 and today’s prompt is “bad dog.”

We have a long haired Chihuahua named Mack. Mack might be small but he’s sturdy for a Chi. The breeder believes in sturdy chihuahuas that would could walk trails with their owners and Mack definitely fits that description. He’s a tiny truck. More than once he’s run into the back of our legs to let us know he wanted something and almost knocked us down. He gives a whole new meaning to taking a Knee.

He’s a bit impish and has been known to get his little butt in trouble. Like the time he tried to take on a raccoon twice his size. They bounced off each other and both ran in opposite directions, screaming like girls. Mack was pretty bruised from that ordeal but ok. (In the meantime, Johnnie-come-lately Chloe came running out the back door, wanting to kick ass and take names after the party was already over. Ran around the yard and barked. Oh yeah, she’s so tough.)

Mack likes to raid laundry baskets and trash cans. He is the perfect paper shredder, should you need his services. He also molests his half-sister and we have to remind him that he is NOT a Targaryen.

In my mind there are no bad dogs and I am sure Cesar Millan would agree. However, naughty and mischievous dogs do make your life more interesting. Like, when Mack used to unravel rolls of toilet paper, and run through the house with it. Thank heavens he doesn’t do that anymore. Although you still have to watch the laundry baskets. I’ll leave that one to your imagination.

Having Chihuahuas in our lives is never dull. At the basic level, they have small food bills, smaller vet bills and small poopies that have to be picked up. (Small poopies are def a bonus.) They are bossy, sassy, easily portable and don’t take no for an answer. They are astoundingly intelligent and I don’t care what some canine researcher says, my dogs can spell. They know what t-r-e-a-t and -e-a-t means, and hide when we say b-a-t-h. They know more words than they should know. Chloe knows to walk up to where her food is, stands at the door, looks at us, looks up at the food door, back at us. Repeat as necessary. If that isn’t a hint enough, then a shrill yip reminder and stamping of the feet should be a dead giveaway that dinner is to be served. With Mack on standby, waiting for the fruits of her labor. LOL.

This sketch isn’t a portrait of Mack but the essence of his naughtiness. He does pull the stuffing and squeakers out of their dog toys.