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CLOUDY Temp: 61 °F Wind: WNW at 5 mph Monday, September 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 6, 2003 Friday fetches a throwing disk from his favorite walnut tree, where he gives Talent�s rural squirrels a good chase. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell So far, Friday’s all bark However, should this tree-climbing Talent dog catch one of those squirrels ... watch out By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Squirrels have a Talent dog treed. At least a rambunctious two-year-old black Labrador mix named Friday spends a lot of his time in a walnut tree pursuing the furry gray chatterers. "He goes up and down the tree all day," said Bryce Whitmore, 77, of Talent. Whitmore said squirrels are up in the branches gathering and dropping walnuts, and his dog devotes his day to chasing after the little darlings. Advertisement And the fact that he’s never caught one doesn’t discourage his obsession. In fact, the "walnut guard dog" often sits up in the tree when they’re quiet, waiting for the nearby squirrels to become active again. The wiry black dog, complete with black tongue, is named Friday because Whitmore adopted him last September on Friday the 13th. His previous owners had given up on him for his skunk-chasing habits, which resulted in many baths. In addition to chasing animals, Friday loves car rides. "If he sees a car and a door’s open, boy, he’s in it," he said. Whitmore often drives his old Studebaker or MG with his canine companion at his side, said he uses a special dog seat harness to keep Friday in the car. "If he saw a squirrel he’d probably go right out the window," he said. Whitmore said in addition to chasing 30 turkeys off his property recently, his high-energy pup did catch a rat and a possum, neither of which survived the ordeal. The frisky fellow doesn’t limit himself to trees and cars. Friday likes the canoe and the sailboat, too, he said. Whitmore said he glued carpeting onto his sailboat deck so his dog has something to grip when the boat heels over. "I’ve tried to take him out on a bicycle on a rope," said Whitmore. "Boy that’s an exciting ride." He didn’t try that a second time. Fortunately, the active boy does sleep. At the end of Friday’s busy days, he can be found curled up asleep on Whitmore’s bed. "He’s a cuddler," said Friday’s proud companion. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times