Damp, dark and dreary

That's fall around here. Some people think brisk, crisp days, slanting light, flaming leaves; we have gray skies and drizzle. Fortunately, we also have Halloween demon-dogs.

This variety is often found in a dark corner of the yard half-concealed under the branches of evergreen trees.

Far more dangerous, this variety of demon-dog roams closer to the house, often hovering at the tops of steps from which vantage point he can view the lower yard and whatever prey is to be found down there, unsuspecting. When he sees an innocent squirrel, he flys down the stairs. By the time he lands, the squirrel is in the next yard.