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I just saw Unionist, a few weeks back, commending the spirit of this thread.
agreed
I was a little disappointed in this thread... I had really hoped that the theme of drowning vermin in appropriate kitchen and or bathroom fixtures would have figured more prominently. And of course Unionist never answered my question about the existence or non-existence of minature coyotes.
Well since this thread has reappeared I thought I'd report on the the little mutt I posted about upthread. She just over since months old now and is far from little. She's almost the size of my shepherd. She going to be one massive dog. She's utterly fearless and is quite a handful. She has the trait of 'cooperates,not obey" in spades so it's been interesting working with her. She's one of the most intelligent and independent dogs I've ever come across which is both a blessing and a pain in the butt.
She spends the day outside in a big pen beside the chicken and duck yard and the weather doesn't seem to bug her at all. When the first winter storm of the season came I was feeling awfully guilty and spent a good amount of time outside in the freezing snow making her shelter even better then it was. Complete waste of time! She just ignores it and lies out in the snow, or rain as if it isn't even happening. I don't think she has used her day time shelter at all yet. One day I thought she'd gotten out because I couldn't see her. She was completely nestled into and covered in snow, just like a husky. I still can't let her out during the day unless I'm out with her to correct her puppy playfulness. Unfortunately chickens and especially the ducks don't appreciate her attempts to rough and tumble and she gets frustrated when they won't play with her.
A few weeks ago we figured she was big enough to be let out to roam free at night once the chicks were locked up. The first night I didn't get a whole lot of sleep as I was constantly checking on where she was and what she was doing. She's fine though and is settling into exactly what she is supposed to do. She sleeps in spurts in the front of the coop and then patrols. The great thing about having snow on the ground is I can see exactly what she's been up too. I spent a bunch of time border training and she's minding them with no problems. She basically circles the house and chicken yard and has a few spots she's designated as resting outposts. The other night she was barking on and off quite a bit and the next day I could see by the tracks why. She chased of either a coyote or another dog (most likely a coyote). I could see where it came onto the the property, her tracks and it's tracks as it turned around and ran back the way it came. Cool thing was she stopped right at the edge of her boundry line.
So so far she's been a great dog and it's been a really interesting experience working with her and having her around. She quite unlike any dog I've ever had before.
I once lived on a farm in Wales, not far from Dylan Thomas' boathouse, that had an English sheep dog (or something like that). The dog took me for a walk up to Llanstephan castle, to the little pub with 3 chairs (smallest pub in the world, maybe), and back to the farm. It took all day. I would have been lost and still might be wandering the Welsh countryside if not for that dog. Funny thing, although I was only 1 person, I felt I was being herded by the dog and not the other way around.
Kitchen sinks and dogs.
I have a very good sense of direction. Both in cities and on the land.
Years ago I was walking with my dog going from one place to another, overland. I did not know the route super well, but had been on it a few times.
So I'm walking along and get to a fork in the trail and without any doubt head down the left fork. After a few steps I realize my dog isnt following. So I look back, and call her.
She stays at the fork. So I turn arond and look at her. Thinking, I've never seen her do this. Not to mention, that as far as I know, she doesnt know where we are headed.
On the other hand, while my sense of direction is very good, she is the dog.
So we went her way. And she was right of course.
Herding babblers - like washing cats - is a whole different and very difficult issue which deserves its own thread.
I have a good sense of direction as long as I know where I am and I am someplace familiar to me, and I have a map and compass. Otherwise, I'm lost.