POOCH SAYS

       My frog's name is Hernando and he has a hideway! I've never actually seen him but I know he's just feet away from my patio. Hern is exceptionally agile, even for a frog.

       When Dave, the sprinkler man, came to start up my irrigation system and activate my fountain for the summer, my experience with frogs began. When Dave was putting in the recirculating pump for the summer and waiting for the deep and totally critter-proof reservoir to fill, he spotted a nice frog sitting on the float!

       Understandably, that frog did not want to leave his deluxe abode. However, when he would tire from swimming around and climb onto the float again, he was fair game to be grabbed! Eventually, that elusive amphibian was captured, though, and deposited far away.

       Oops, there was a second frog but because the float was rising higher and higher, he was quickly captured. Whew, now the access grid could be replaced and the fountain turned on.

       After several days of enjoying the peaceful sounds of gurgling water, I began to doubt my senses. I was hearing 'garump'...'garump'...'garump' or 'ribit, ribit' ( or whatever frogs say.) The next-door neighbor simply rolled her eyes and silently shook her head when I asked if she heard anything. It was only when I had some sprinkler heads tweaked that I got independent confirmation that I had a frog in my fountain!

       Because I didn't want Hernando to be lonesome, I gave him a ceramic playmate. My next decisions will be hard ones.

       If Hernando comes out of hiding, can I depend on him to turn into a handsome prince if I grant him a kiss?

       Were you aware that frogs have no ribs? (That's how Hern managed to squeeze into an inaccessible place.) Have you ever seen BBQ’d frog ribs on a menu? Which, alas, brings me to my alternative choice. You got it!