DINO'S NATURE WALK

"We've been learning about frogs in school," said Megan. "They start life as tiny little black specs surrounded by jelly called frog spawn in early spring, then develop into tadpoles living in water. They grow legs and then change into baby frogs. Teacher said this is called Complete Metamorphosis. Let's follow the stream and see if we can find some baby frogs."

So off they went, led by Dino snuffling his way along the edge of the stream. Soon, in a pool where the waters ran quietly, they spotted tiny frog-like creatures, but with stick-like tails. "These are still nearly tadpoles," said Megan, "but soon they will become real frogs and leave the water to live on dry land."

"Leave Dino," she called, for his nose was quivering at the sight of the tiny creatures. "Leave them alone, there's a good dog."

They caught some of the young frogs in a jam jar to take home to put in the garden pond. "We must be sure to see that there are stones and rocks above water level so that they can get out of the water," said Megan.

Dino was well ahead, his nose to the ground and his tail wagging. "What's he after?" said Declan. "There must be something he can smell." Suddenly, there was a commotion in the water and loudly quacking, two brightly coloured ducks rose up off the stream.

"Look, those are Mallards," cried an excited Sean. "They must have a nest of young."

Dino stopped, one paw in the air, and stared down into the rushes at the stream's edge, and there was a nest with 11 tiny fluffy ducklings!

"What a beautiful sight!" said Megan. "Soon they'll be ready to go into the water." Some days later, down by the old mill, there they were. Father swimming in front, then the 11 chicks, with mother at the rear.

"I hope they don't eat all the tadpoles and baby frogs," said Declan.

DINO AND THE HERON

"Something or someone has taken all the goldfish from the pond," said mum. "There must be a heron around here somewhere. A heron is a large bird with a long sharp beak, which lives by catching fish. Perhaps there is one nesting down on the marsh. We shall have to cover the pond with netting."

"I saw a large strange looking bird flying low over the marsh where the stream flows out to sea," answered Sean. "It could have been the heron. Let's go and have a look down by those willows, there there is long grass and tall rushes. Dino will soon find one if it is in that area."

"Well," said mum. "Be careful, for if the heron is nesting they can be vicious. Keep well away - and you too Dino!"

So off they went, down to the marsh full of yellow flowers called 'King Cups', and long waving grasses and rushes, for it was early summer.

By the willow trees was a small area of higher ground.

"Look," pointed Sean. "Look over there. I can see a large bird and it seems to be sitting on a nest of some sorts. Let's not go any closer!"

But Dino took no notice and jumped forward towards the bird. Its long beak moved forwards and caught the corner of his ear.

"Oh dear," said Megan. "That beak has damaged poor old Dino's ear." And sure enough, the razor sharp beak had caused a nasty cut. Dino shook his head and blood was streaming out of the cut. "It's a good job we are close to the vets," said Sean. "We'd better call now to see if he can patch up Dino."

The vet carefully washed the cut and put a stitch in it.

"Now," he said. "We'll have to put some powder on the cut, so when Dino shakes his head the cut will not start bleeding again, and the powder will help the cut to heal."

So off home they went. "I don't think Dino will go near a heron again!" said Declan.

DINO AND THE POSTMAN

"Sometimes your mail won't fit through the letter-box, and if you are out I will have to deliver it another time. I can't leave it on the doorstep," said the postman to mum.

"I'm out a great deal," she said. "I'll tell you what, the back door is always open, so leave it on the kitchen table," she replied. "You have my permission to do this; it will save a lot of hassle."

"OK," said the postman. "I'll start tomorrow." So the next morning, he arrived with a parcel, and several large envelopes. Knocking first on the back door, he opened it and there was Dino lying by the door.

"Hello Dino," he said, placing the mail on the table. "And how are you?" Dino growled and stood between the postman and the door. The postman was startled. "There's a good dog, now let me out boy." But Dino would not let him out, nor reach for the telephone, so he had to sit and wait for mum or the children to come home.

It was soon past dinner time and his still heavily loaded van stayed outside. "Where is the postman?" everyone asked. "His van is there, but there is no sign of him." People rang the sorting office and soon the supervisor arrived.

"I can't come out because of the dog. He thinks I'm an intruder and he's guarding the house," yelled the postman. "He won't let you in either, so you'd better find mum or the children."

Fortunately, at that moment, mum arrived. Dino wagged his tail and let the postman go. What a relief!

"Well," said mum. "We'll have to have a large outside mail box." Dino has turned out to be a very good guard dog.

"I do apologise for all this, but I expect he thought he was doing his job and protecting our premises!"

More adventures of Dino next week.