Tag Archives: hunting

Mr. Cottontail

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Warning! This post contains small animal death with photos. You’ve been warned.

So, the other morning we had quite the adrenaline rush in the coonhound house. I have a fully fenced (6 foot) backyard. The squirrels tend to love all the trees but of course, they come and go and sit up high to torture poor Daisy with their swishy tails. Since I am accustomed to this type of security I never think twice about just opening the door to let the girls out. Well, somehow the other morning a bunny had found its way into my backyard during the night. I opened the door…it saw us, and we saw it just about the same time. I helplessly yelled “Giiiirrrllls!!! Nnnnooooo!!” As they took off running in hot pursuit. I grabbed the pile of leashes at the door but of course, it was too late. In my mind I knew no matter what, the bunny was trapped and I wouldn’t be quick enough to save it. Bella caught in in under 30 yards. The girl is FAST. The bunny didn’t suffer.

Why share this story? Well, it’s more because of how differently my dogs reacted to the bunny in the backyard. Bella has the killer instinct. She is the only one who has ever caught any prey animal. However, if you would see her in the yard she isn’t focused on the squirrels like Daisy. She likes to relax and lay in the sun. However, put a headlamp on and leash her up and she thinks it is time to hunt! Daisy, from the untrained eye, would see more “huntress”. She’s not. She is a show pony! It is all yell and no action. With the bunny, she took off chasing and yelling but it was more the love of her own voice I think, rather than the thrill of the hunt, that got her going. Once the bunny wasn’t moving, she lost interest quite quickly.

My raw feeding friends said I should have froze the bunny so Bella could have had it later. I decided to continue the circle of life instead. I walked down to our roost of vultures and left dear Peter under a tree for them. Of course, in true mother pride I took a photo of Bella’s prize for posterity’s sake.

Happy Easter Everyone!

 

bunny

 

Weekend on Wednesday

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Yeah, I’m behind!  I’ve been busy the last couple days!  We had a very busy weekend of dog stuff…let me help you catch up.

Saturday dawned with a quick dog park trip. Nothing exciting happened though-in fact, Daisy was less enthusiastic than normal. I think Grannie tipped her off about the fun she was going to have that night so Daisy was saving up her energy.

In front of the sea plane

Saturday night Grandpa, Daisy, and I drove to a nearby town for a Pups on the Patio event. It was the first one they have had, and it will be the first Saturday each month.  It was more than one patio though. There were several businesses and restaurants along a street on a lake that opened their patios to everyone’s well behaved pooches. It was set up as a fundraiser for the local Humane Society. For 10 bucks you could get 1 adult or 1 non adult beverage at 4 or 5 different places. Well worth it if you want to do a pub crawl with your dog!  LOL

So, Grandpa and I chose the Irish pub to eat at mostly because it is hot here and the patio was completely covered. The food was great and Daisy behaved like a lovely lady. No begging for food, and no pulling on the leash to meet other dogs. She even laid down for a bit and relaxed.

Although I’m living in a relatively rural area I was surprised at all the “rare” type dogs that were there. Chinese Crested, Wheaten Terriers, a Bull Terrier, an Akita, and although not a rare breed, it is rare to see 7 standard poodles all together!

Yes, you are seeing that right. Daisy got to take a horse and carriage ride Saturday!  It was another fund raiser for the Humane Society.  Really, it was just like riding in a car for her I think. I had been a tad worried- her only other previous experience with a horse was police horses and she did not want to be nice to them!  She didn’t even really notice the horse at all this time. The driver recognized her right away! All night I had been being asked about my “bloodhound” but this lady knew a Black and Tan Coonhound right away. She had one once upon a time and hadn’t seen one in years.  I am glad I could bring back some happy memories.

Driving to go hiking-yep it's a dirt road.

Sunday, I wanted to make sure to do something Bella would have fun doing. So hiking it was!! It is the first time we went hiking in this area and oh boy did we learn a lesson (Grannie and I). You see, in all the urban area hiking the girls and I have done we have yet to of encountered one type of prey. Deer. Well, I should say tracks of deer as there were no deer to be seen (thank goodness!).

Bella turned into a crazy hunting dog! I almost couldn’t believe she had it in her. There was no anxiety. Just a need to GO! She pulled so hard, without regard to her own safety. Her ears were turned off to us, or anything else. She even did this ‘whomp’ sound with her mouth on the trail. Grannie couldn’t keep a hold of her so we traded dogs. Its hard to believe Daisy was the better trail walker.

I loved seeing Bella so happy. Her tail did not stop wagging while we were out. It was funny when we turned around-Bella did NOT agree with our decision. For that matter, she didn’t like us staying on the trail instead of heading into the bush after the scent. I could really see her being a real hunting dog rather than some puppy mill cast off.  I am so glad I bought her an easy walk harness long ago (which, she never used or needed). I will need it the next time we go to at least save herself from the choking. And there will be a next time-very soon I hope!

Due to the mighty huntress behavior of the girls-I forgot to take pics on the hiking trail. I tried at the trail head when we were finished but of course while Daisy has no issue hamming it up for the camera, Bella assumes the sign is part of the coming apocalypse and will fall on her at any moment.  (and no, she isn’t looking toward anything in this picture-she is avoiding the sign-tail tucked) It’s like all that confidence she had while walking just washed away. *sigh*

Life is getting crazy…

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Well, as I type this it is very early Wednesday morning.  Tomorrow is the big day around here.  I am tired, Daisy is bored (from not quite enough activity), and Bella is stressed.  I’ll get internet next week and let you know how the move goes.

 

Daisy was bit at the dog park. Not sure what triggered it, if anything. She was pooping and got up and took about 4 steps and a dog charged and started growling. As she turned from him a bit he bit her hip.  I was so upset at the time. If I wasn’t in the middle of the move I might pursue the owner. Or the person who brought the dog to the park (not the owner). But right now, I’m stressed enough and I just need to let something go and this is the easiest.  Daisy didn’t need stitches, but she needed the fur cleaned out from under her skin. She is on antibiotics and hasn’t licked the area once.

 

We also had a wildlife encounter today. There has been a solitary otter in the retention pond where I live on and off since I moved here. Our drainage pond is connected to others in the area so I guess the otter just follows the food. I have felt bad for this creature since most times I see otters playing in family groups but this one leads a solitary life.  Today, I saw this otter….with her three babies.  The girls saw them too. The babies were very curious and popped out of the water to get a closer look. At first Bella was ignoring them and Daisy was very relaxed. I think she thought they were some strange dogs. Her ears were down, body relaxed, tail wagging.  Then mom squeaked at the babies and it was game on!  At this point Bella woke up from her day dream and came to back up her sister.

 

It really was lots of fun! The otters weren’t in any danger since they had a quick escape in the water (and the dogs were on leash) and the girls got a little “hunting” time in.  The otters were close behind the apartment so I let the girls stand out on the balcony and watch the kids (and some adults) being naughty feeding the otters. No wonder the mom keeps coming back. My camera is…well, somewhere in this place. So this is an Iphone picture. Not exactly quality stuff.

 

Otter mom with three babies

Night of the Possum

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So, last night the girls and I went out for the last pee like usual. It was a bit windy so Bella wasn’t very excited and it took her longer than usual to find a good spot.  She was looking in one direction, and as she finished she looked out towards the baseball fields the other direction (which was dark at this hour). All of the sudden she bolted off towards the fields! In my mind, it took a second or less to realize she was not bolting, but going after something!

I think about the time I realized that, Daisy and I saw it a the same time–a possum taking a late stroll along the fence. Then Daisy shot off! First, I have never felt Bella pull this hard-out of fear or when hunting squirrels. Luckily I had both their leashes around my wrist. But 120 pounds of dog pulling like a freight train is hard to stop!  As soon as that little rat’s paws hit the tree trunk Daisy set off to baying. I’d like to take this moment to apologize to my neighbors. Both my coonies are pretty quiet normally, I promise!

It took a little work to get them both under control again. Sooo unlike them! The possum really got a higher response than any squirrel ever has. I guess the night time, tree climbing animal is more in line with their instincts.  Bella did not bay. I wish she would have. She only bays inside the house, and only if she really wants something. She has such a ‘big boy’ voice, I love to hear it.

I came back inside with my adrenaline pumping. It was sooo exciting to see Bella so into getting something and working towards it.

Let me at 'em!

More on the hunting….

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So, since I really wanted to get a lot of pictures of the girls and I have two of them and one camera but only two hands- I decided the hunting session should go something like this: Start Bella on my waist leash which only has a 3 foot length while Daisy was on the 15 foot training lead. I thought I’d let Daisy get some of her energy out cause I know she’d be ‘crazy for cocoa puffs’ kind of crazy.

All would have been fine if Bella wasn’t a drama queen. I don’t know where she got that trait but it sure wasn’t me! Daisy was having a blast stalking and running after squirrels but Bella did not want to follow! She had her nose to the ground and refused to participate in the family outing. She sulked, she looked at me like I hit her when I didn’t go her way and a few times she just sunk down on the ground in a good toddler-esque temper tantrum. It was hard with Daisy going one way and Bella dragging her feet.

So, I switched their places. If Bella had her own blog it would have started something like “It took Mom forever to figure out that I am supposed to get the long leash and the freedom it offers…not that other hound that lives here…” As soon as she got the long leash she was so happy, sniffing and running around. The funny thing was Daisy was no less happy! She followed where ever we went, stayed untangled for the most part and just enjoyed whatever little bit she was offered. Of course, Daisy pulled a bit more in her excitement but with her leash around my waist it wasn’t so bad. The video from yesterday was made after the switch. You can see Daisy was just as happy as a lark (and how do we know that those larks are really happy anyway?).

 

Thanks a million to Grannie who is dogsitting while mom had to go out of town for the night!  Not that she minds….I think she secretly likes getting the coonhound lovin’ all to herself.  😀