Follow-up Friday: Coyotes, Puppy Love, Art

I'm pleased to be joining Heart Like a Dog in the Follow-up Friday blog hop this week.  This is the blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.  Hosted by Jodi at Heart Like A Dog, and co-hosted this week by 2 brown dawgs.  

Once again, I'm following up on a bit more than just this past week.

Coyote Update: Unexpected Help
Though this particular post is from last week, I have more to add to this coyote saga.   

First I want to clarify a few things.  We live in the country, in the middle of 45 acres, surrounded by larger farms.  Our "backyard" is about 2 acres and fenced for the dogs:  picket fence on the front and part of one side; the remainder 2"x4" field fencing with two strands of barbed wire on top.  It backs up to a creek which contains a series of spring ponds which attract a lot of wildlife, plus our horses have access to that area.

This is not our first rodeo in terms of predator encounters:  coyotes, foxes, bobcats, bears, wild hogs.  

Yes, I did go after one small pack of coyotes years ago with a baseball bat (when they were snatching our chickens and my dog was trying to fight them.)  No, I'm not "one tough lady."   I've discovered that one never really knows for sure what we're capable of, until faced with the situation.   Threaten my animals?  You and I may both be in for a surprise!

We're being very vigilant.  No dog goes outside alone.  If one of us is not out there with them, we're watching with a gun handy.

Last weekend the dogs were outside playing when a large pack of young coyotes showed up on the other side of the creek.  I called the dogs in while the dog daddy grabbed the rifle.  He shot to scare several times and the pack scattered.  Interesting that the horses were on their way to help from across the pasture.  Try to convince me that they didn't see those coyotes as a threat to their family.

We're peaceniks and non-hunters.  We'd never seen that pack of coyotes before (or since), so there was no shooting to kill.

The next day I saw what I believe are the coyote pair I photographed hunting in the snow in our "front yard."  Once again, we shot to inspire fear.  Later that day I heard shooting down in the valley and suspect a neighbor spotted coyotes.

So far, we've not seen that lone coyote who has no fear of us.  If/when we do, we will be shooting to kill.   In fact, we've had no coyote sightings this week.  We've added one of those air horns to our "arsenal" and I carry it with me when I run out to the studio.  

I also have to say that I am loving the LED collar I was sent to review!  In the pitch dark, I can locate where my little pack is with a glance, thanks to Jeffie wearing it (and the fact that they stick together so well.)

The drought here has been very severe and wildlife are definitely feeling the pinch in terms of finding food.  Put that together with their increasing adaptation to living near humans and I'm sure our coyote story will continue.

Adoration: Rudy
Loved all the comments on this post!  And, yes, there is room in Rudy's heart for both Rosie and Jeffie.  Jeffie is Rudy's best friend;  Rosie is something more.  I don't know what to call it.  If Rudy was female, I'd say there's a maternal flavor to the relationship, but it is even more than that.

Someone also asked about the relationship between Jeffie and Rosie.  I promise to blog about this, because it is sweet!

Irish Blessings and Great Jingle News
Just have to say once again how thrilled I am that senior shelter dog, Jingle, now has a forever home!

Wordless Wednesday: Rosie Does Shamrocks
Thanks for all your lovely comments!  So far, Rosie has not joined the Witness Protection Program, nor is she Amish.  She has lots of patience for photos.  Even when we dress her in very silly things! 

She and Rudy developed a new game right before these St Paddy's Day photos were taken.  Rudy finds the vole tunnels and either sees, feels, or hears them at work.  Once identified, he and Rosie snoot away, following the trail.  

Rosie is a love and what we call "an old soul."  She is, hands down, the easiest, smartest puppy.  Seriously.  And I'm trying to make sure to hold her as much as possible now, because she is GROWING! 

Urban Wanderers Art Exhibition Benefits Stray Rescue
I realize you're not going to head to St Louis to see this, but if you like dogs and you like art, then you should check this out! You can see some of the art work in the videos included in this blog post.


Before I close, I just want to let you know that we're celebrating National Puppy Day over at our Facebook page.  Post a photo of your favorite puppy and check out the cuties already posted.  I guarantee it will make you smile!   
And finally, I want to confirm that Mother Nature has a sense of humor.  On the second official day of spring, she gave us 6" of snow... with more to come over the weekend!  Happy Spring!