The Great Groundhog Hunt of 2008

Are there more Groundhogs around this year than normal or am I in my own private version of Groundhog Day? It seems like every other day there is a new groundhog taking up residence in our yard. I would really really prefer they find new lodgings. There is no welcome sign; we are not advertising Groundhog Rental property. Isn't there some sort of communication between these animals? Is there no best places to live listing for the choosy groundhog world? Don't they know this is not a safe neighborhood? There is danger to be found in this neck of the woods.
Our dogs consider this THEIR personal space. Not to be invaded by ANY other creature, big or small. Our canine companions have embarked on what can only be called the Great Groundhog Gulp of 2008. To date there have been 5 Groundhog homicides in the yard since the turn of the year. Two in the last week. I am completely grossed out by this and yet perversely pleased that the dogs keep the environs critter free. If the groundhogs would just take notice that there is danger in them thar hills, there would be no groundhog fatalities to report.
The dogs take great pride and pleasure in their hunting skills. Please take note that these are pampered family pets. We do not train our dogs to hunt, we train them to cuddle up and get great woogly belly rubs and clean the food off the floors. (One of them is such a sissy that if the cell phone low battery warning goes off, she practically crawls into your skin.) They do what comes naturally when their territory is invaded by uninvited groundhogs. They attack. Then they want praise for making their humans safe. Because clearly, the groundhogs could, with a little time and Marmota monax strategy, overtake us and move into the house. And then who would feed the dogs? So we praise them for their wondrous Groundhog Hunting Skills.

Last night, after the last incident, Superhubby was petting Thunder and telling her what a good groundhog hunter she was and how proud he was of her, to which she responded by licking his hand and rolling over for a belly rub. Vicious beast. Shadow was sitting by me and I was not properly appreciative of her groundhogging skills apparently and she turned away to start pacing around the room, casting steamed glares at me and stomping all over Thunder. Dogs can engage in disgruntled snits. Informing Superhubby that Shadow was clearly annoyed that she didn't get her due accolades, he proceeded to rub, pet her and praise her for being a good groundhog hunter too. After receiving her due she sighed happily, turned around a few times and plopped down in her favorite spot. Drama Queen.

It appears we have desirable groundhog real estate.

Portnoy for President!