Everyone loves a funny dog story. Inspired by Paddy, a mischevious pug mix, we have sought out some of the funniest things that dogs have dug up. Enjoy the entertainment. If you are interested in why dogs dig, or what to do about problem digging, we’ll cover that, too.

To get the party started, here is our first story. Unfortunately, it’s kind of gross, but it’s also danged hilarious. We all know how dogs love their families and their buried treasures. But when Paddy brought his family this particular unearthed offering, it became obvious… This is the sort of thing that drives dog parents to drink.

One day, Twitter user Tallcailin wrote:

“Our dog Paddy brought our cat Felix into the house this evening and lovingly placed him in front of the fire. Yes, that was such a sweet thing to do…except for the fact that Felix was buried on Tuesday. Hence I am on the wine.”

Paddy, the half-pug half-Jack Russell terrier is a bit of a character. Here he is, after having decapitated a doll.

What follows the above tweet is a hilarious stream of replies almost 700 tweets long. Here are a couple of them.

Other Treasures Dogs Have Dug Up

Dogs really do dig up the strangest things. Let’s have a look at some of them.

Baby’s Head Statues

Twitter User Daboo (@HauntersWeb) reports this magnificent find. Clearly, her friend’s dog, who dug it up, has a sense of the macabre.

“Aged Brass Cold Cast Baby Doll Head Candle Holder with Glowing Eyes: When my friend Marie’s dog Max dug up a baby doll head, she did what any normal person would do, she saved it and gave it to me, saying, “I thought you…” said Daboo.

Canine History Excavation Team

Twitter user Ambient (@HealingAmbient)’s dog is a real party animal. They dug up this Mardi Gras coin.

“Dog dug up this metal Mardi Gras coin from 73,” Ambient declared. “Packenham Carnival Club of Chalmette. Theme was Metamorphosis. V rare! Love the live oak.”

Twitter user Shane MacMahon (@WarriorShane) shared this photo of a dog who had burrowed into its owner’s tomb, to be close to them.

There are plenty of stories like this throughout history, including the story of Greyfriar’s Bobby. Bobby, the plucky little Skye terrier from Edinburgh, Scotland, famously guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years. Dogs are known for their faithfulness. It’s why we love them so much.

Century-Old Ginger Beer

Twitter user Tim MacKay (@timfqadvice)’s dog dug up a bottle of ginger beer nearly 100 years old! I don’t know about you, but I could use a beer sniffing dog.

So my dog just dug up a bottle in the creek out the back. Googled the mark in base of bottle & GM in an A is Aust Glass Manu. 1928 to 1937 pic.twitter.com/lnhZOszoHP

— Tim Mackay 🎓💲 (@timqfadvice) February 2, 2017

Fancy Silver Tea Set

And the Thames Valley Police (@TVP_Windsor) are looking for anyone who might be missing this silver tea set unearthed by a dog out for walkies. Maybe digging isn’t such a bad habit after all!

Why do Dogs Dig?

There are dozens of different answers to that question. Dogs burrow for shelter. They dig holes to protect themselves if it’s too hot or too cold. Sometimes they dig when they’re bored. We’ve all seen dogs bury things they consider valuable, to save them for later. Or to forget about them completely. Some breeds, like terriers, dig to get at small underground prey. For others, digging might be a sign of separation anxiety.  Some dogs are escape artists and dig in order to get out of where they are. Dogs sometimes think they smell something good down there — roots, dirt, buried treasure — and are trying to dig it up to eat it.

And some dogs just want to bring you a present. Thanks, Paddy.

What do Do About a Digging Problem

If your dog’s digging is causing a problem, look for the cause. Is it too hot? Try providing shade, and even a cool tub of water to splash off in. Is it too cold? Provide a dog house with warm bedding. Or bring your dog inside. If your dog is bored, make sure he or she gets plenty of exercise and play time with you. Dog Whisperer Cesar Chavez recommends rotating toys to keep your dog entertained. If your dog seems anxious or appears to be a determined escape artist, consider enlisting the help of a dog trainer.

If your dog’s digging is causing a problem, look for the cause. Is it too hot? Try providing shade, and even a cool tub of water to splash off in. Is it too cold? Provide a dog house with warm bedding. Or bring your dog inside. If your dog is bored, make sure he or she gets plenty of exercise and play time with you. Dog Whisperer Cesar Chavez recommends rotating toys to keep your dog entertained. If your dog seems anxious or appears to be a determined escape artist, consider enlisting the help of a dog trainer.

You might also consider building a dig pit for your dog. Make it large enough for your dog to have some fun, and put it in an area where your dog can dig to their heart’s content, without harming anything else. Outline the pit with bricks or wood, so your dog knows where it’s OK to dig. Then make your dog want to dig there, by burying toys, bones, and other things to entice him or her. A dig pit is a great compromise, as it allows your dog to dig with abandon, but without turning your yard into a desolate moonscape.

On the other hand, on the off chance that you want your dog to dig, here’s a video to teach you how to teach them. Can you teach them to dig up buried treasure? You’d probably have better luck with a metal detector. But you and your dog might have a lot of fun trying.

Life with dogs is never boring. They amuse us, make us laugh, sometimes embarrass us, and sometimes make us ask Why? But dogs keep us on our toes. If only to see what they’ll dig up next.

Featured Image CC by 2.0 by Eselsmann, via Flickr