Milly's Great Garden Carrot Heist
- Kaye Reilly
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 5
How one very determined miniature dachshund in the garden decided harvest day had arrived.
Life on a farm is full of surprises, and sometimes the biggest adventures come in the smallest packages.
Every farm has that one employee who doesn't quite understand their job description.
Here at Noughts & Crosses, that's Milly.
Milly is our miniature dachshund. Officially, she's Head of Security. Unofficially, she's also the Chief Vegetable Inspector, Rabbit Patrol Officer, and, when nobody's looking, an enthusiastic taste tester.
One morning I wandered out to the vegetable patch, expecting to admire our beautiful carrots. Instead, I found Milly proudly marching across the garden with a carrot almost as long as she was.
Apparently, she'd decided it was harvest day.
There wasn't the slightest hint of guilt. If anything, she looked rather pleased with herself.
It was impossible not to laugh.
Fortunately for Milly, carrots are a healthy little treat for dogs, so her unauthorised harvest wasn't quite the disaster it first appeared. She happily crunched away while giving me that familiar dachshund look that says, "I really don't understand why you're making such a fuss."
These days she still conducts regular inspections of the vegetable garden, just in case another carrot needs rescuing. Curiously, she ignores the silverbeet, lettuce and herbs. It's only ever the carrots. Clearly, she's a dachshund with standards.
🐾 Farm Life Tip
Carrots make a healthy occasional treat for most dogs,
but like everything, they're best enjoyed in moderation.
Meet Milly... from a Respectful Distance!
If you come to stay at Noughts & Crosses Farm Stay, there's a good chance you'll hear Milly before you see her.
Every arriving guest is greeted with a thorough security announcement. As our self-appointed Chief Security Officer, Milly firmly believes it's her responsibility to let everyone know that visitors have arrived. Only after she's completed her careful assessment will she decide whether you're worthy of her approval.
Unlike Asher, who is usually happy to welcome everyone, Milly prefers to keep a watchful eye from a safe distance. She's always alert, always curious and always convinced she's protecting her family and her garden.
Now, if you're carrying food... well, that's a different story.
Milly has an incredible ability to detect the tiniest crumb from remarkable distances. A dropped carrot, a forgotten biscuit or the rustle of a snack packet will instantly attract her attention. You might think offering a treat is the quickest way to make friends, but we'd kindly ask you not to. Some human foods aren't safe for dogs, and like many dachshunds, Milly has never quite mastered the art of knowing when she's had enough!
Fortunately, she's usually content supervising the garden while I harvest vegetables and preserve the season's bounty.
🥕 Farm Kitchen Tip
One of my favourite vegetables to preserve is carrots. I like to slice them into rings, blanch them for a few minutes and freeze them for quick additions to stir-fries and steamed vegetables. I also pressure-can carrots, so they're ready to use in soups, stocks, stews, and even carrot cake year-round.
Looking to try pressure canning? I recommend following the tested instructions from Ball® Home Canning for a safe, reliable method.
Life on our little farm is full of these simple moments—fresh vegetables, curious animals, plenty of laughter and the occasional bark reminding us that Milly is always on duty.
Have you ever had a miniature dachshund in the garden?
Do your pets have a favourite fruit or vegetable they're convinced belongs to them?
We'd love to hear their mischievous stories in the comments.
Love the Margaret River Region?
Come and experience life at Noughts & Crosses Farm Stay, a dog-friendly farm stay in Metricup, where every day brings fresh produce, quirky farm characters and one very dedicated security dachshund.
Until next time,
May your carrots grow straight, your harvest be plentiful, and your dachshunds stay out of the vegetable patch...
Blessings,
Kaye & Sean🐾
and Chief Security Officer Milly
Noughts & Crosses – Margaret River Farm Stay
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