Do some squirrels belong?

[BG and Gavin]

This is a crazy question, but I have to wonder...

Gavin loves to chase the squirrels in our yard - along the fence, up the tree, across the phone lines, he will even see a squirrel from inside and ask to go out just to chase it.   But on three occasions recently I have noticed Gavin not reacted to a squirrel in the yard.  Twice when the squirrel was fearlessly walking along the fence and once walking right through the middle of the yard.  Gavin was less than ten feet away and just casually watching the intruder.  Could it be that it was the same squirrel on all three occasions and Gavin is okay with him, but chases the others away?  How does he know the difference? All the black squirrels look the same to me.

I know human and cats can be included into a dog's "pack" but what about a wild animal?

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Good question!   So far Libby goes after "every single one" of them and I just know one day she will be at the door with one in her mouth!  Hopefully Karen will give us an insight to your question!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I have no idea, but...wow! Black squirrels! Had never seen one! Definitely don't have those here in San Diego!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have seen them at the ?Bronx Zoo but never in Nj.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

What other kind is there? Must be a Canadian thing...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Our native squirrels in NJ are gray.

[BG and Gavin]

We have black and grey around here.  At the cottage we have little red ones.

[Julie and Max]

It could be that Gavin thinks that it's "his" squirrel, he does like cats right? Maybe he wishes it was his very own kitty cat :D

[BG and Gavin]

There are a couple of black ones with the white stripe down their back in the neighbourhood too.  I hope he does not think that those ones are his kitties!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I kind of doubt that. Luca sometimes is much more reactive to TV animals than others. He was not happy about the Kentucky Derby : )

[BG and Gavin]

LOL maybe Luca was bothered by those crazy hats everyone wore!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was for sure : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's an interesting question, and I have no insights. I suppose it's possible. JD ignores all squirrels, so he is no help at all with this question. :)