Masked Bandits | Monday Mischief

 A total of 4 masked bandits 

showed up on one of our porches the other night.

 Yup, coons!

 A mama raccoon with 3 of her baby kits.

 Skeeter's supper leftovers made a snack for them.

 Mama got first dibs.

 Each little coon kit took a turn.

Of course my camera battery was low on juice, dog-gone it!  Plus, these coon critters were moving fast.  The cubs were running around like crazy and exploring everything on the porch.  So, I apologize for the very poor quality of these photos.

For those not in the know, Skeeter is our cat.  She's a former feral cat who decided to semi adopt us about 9 years ago.  I say semi because she's still fairly feral.  Skeeter lives outdoors because she is terrified of coming in the house.  She's fed her meals atop one of two "feeding stations" that fit on porch bannisters.  For those of you shocked that she lives outside, please know that she has full access to a barn and our greenhouse.  AND she has two fully insulated custom built "cat houses" - one on our back porch and one on our covered deck.

I also need to say that I know full well that I should never feed critters out of doors like this because it does attract wildlife.  However, we live in the country and I've been feeding feral cats for many years.  Because the feeding stations are so close to the house, we've not had wildlife bother them much previously.

Where were the dogs during this nighttime raid?  At my feet wondering what the heck I was so excited about.  Because there are no windows that look out on the scene and the door is half glass, they didn't see a thing!

Thank you to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief! 

No Barking Allowed | Monday Mischief

Jeffie wonders why he's not supposed to bark at the deer.

We've been having a bit of mischief almost every night this summer.  You may remember me telling you about the deers that have stashed their babies just on the other side of the creek from our backyard.  (Babysitting Bambo part 1 and part 2)  Over the years they've learned that we will not harm them, though they're still a bit wary of the dogs.

Just about every night they come through browsing along the creek and playing in the pond.  However, one evening I wasn't watching closely enough.  I let the dogs out only to realize the whole herd, along with several fawns, were taking a break in the pond.

Here are 3 of the 13 member deer herd that visit us regularly.

The dogs thought "at last" and raced out barking.  The deer scattered.

A couple of days later we realized the deer had sent in a "first alert" volunteer.

The "guard deer" at alert just 20 foot from the house.

This doe remained in the yard at alert, obviously watching for dogs or any danger.  The rest of the herd was frolicking in the pond.  She remained until the last moment possible.  As the herd bounded up the hill, she leaped over the fence and joined them.

Rudy and Jeffie watch the deer herd move off for the night.

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Thank you to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief! 

Coyote Update: Unexpected Help

Our coyote saga continues.  You may have read about it in this post with pretty snowstorm photos;  you may have read my update on Follow-up Friday.  Or you may wonder what the heck I'm talking about.

The lone coyote stalking our dogs a couple days ago.

I'm talking about coyotes who seemingly call our place "home."  Since Friday, we've had a couple sitings from afar, with only one more close encounter until yesterday morning.

Rudy and Rosie were outside in the backyard playing.  Jeffie was napping at the front door (He calls it "keeping watch;" I call it napping.)  I was watering plants which involves much filling of water pitcher in mud room and trapsing through the house too many times.

Something catches my eye.  Yep, its a coyote just outside the backyard fence.  He's watching Rudy and Rosie who are oblivious.

I slid open the door and call the pups who come immediately.  Then I grabbed a big stainless steel bowl and soup ladle (set aside to be handy for just this purpose) and head outside to make noise.

As I step out and begin striking the ladle against the bowl (it is LOUD), I realize I have help from an unexpected source.  One of the horses, Ditty, has obviously decided enough is enough.

Nostrils flared, head lowered, blowing so loud I can easily hear her, Ditty is slowly, but determinedly advancing on the coyote.  He looks pretty shocked as he glances at the deck where I'm screaming and beating my bowl, then at the horse that has marked him/her as a target.  

Head ducked, back tucked, the coyote begins to slink off.  That's when our other horse, Cakes, decides to provide back up.  The slinking turns into all out running.

Talk about the cavalry!

Unfortunately, this particular unit of cavalry cannot be relied upon to come to our aid all the time.  So... my pistol is loaded and handy.

I hate that.  We operate on a no harm, no foul rule. (You don't mess with me and mine, we won't mess with you.)  Except for sugar ants.  Any sugar ant I see is a dead sugar ant.  But that's another blog post.

We enjoy living in the country partly because it affords us the opportunity to see wildlife up close and personal.  To a point.

Year ago we had a much larger farm in a very secluded area.  With chickens, geese, ducks (cattle, horses, mules, dogs and cats, too) we were bound to attract preditors.  

In fact, one day my dog, Benji, got into it with a small pack of coyotes over some of our chickens.  Benji on one side of the fence; coyotes and chickens on the other.  I joined the fray with a baseball bat.  Yes, seriously.   Talk about seeing wildlife up close and personal.

Subsequent sitings with accompanying warning gun shots deterred them not the slightest.

When a coyote decided to carry off Mrs. Peeper (one of my geese), Gary grabbed a rifle and that was that.

So, the "ultimate solution" awaits further coyote trespassing.  This cool customer is entirely too comfortable here and he/she is putting my pups in jeopardy.

Lone coyote a couple of days ago at our backyard fence.

You know, I did call and talk to one of the Missouri Conservation Agents in our area.  "Shoot it!" he said after I explained the situation.  He agreed with us that this critter had lost all wariness of humans.  He urged me to not let the dogs out at all while it's dark and never alone.

He believed the coyote probably had pegged our puppy, Rosie, as a nice meal.

Not on my watch.  (That click you just heard is me cocking hammer on my pistol.)  

Wordless Wednesday: Close Encounter of the Skunk Kind

Is that a challenge?

Looks like the skunk is sticking his tongue out at Rudy!

As in:  Come and get me, dawg!

Babysitting Bambi Part 2: Double Vision

This spring a doe chose a spot just outside our yard fence to give birth.  We watched her return to her hidden fawn each day for just over a week.  You can read about it and see photos of the deer here.

Since that time we've seen the doe come to our pond several times, so we knew she'd moved her fawn to another hiding place nearby.  To our delight, though certainly watchful, she seems to feel pretty comfortable on our place.

Then one evening she brought her offspring with her for a drink and a dip of a bath.  Imagine the thrill we felt when we realized she'd had twins!

This beautiful trio stayed for quite awhile.  Nibbling, getting a sip now and then, and doing some grooming.  There was also a lot of dancing and splashing in the water by the fawns.  The doe seemed to look meaningfully at the house... as if to say "Here they are!"

 Show and tell over, the doe and her fawns followed the creek to look for a nice place to bed down for the night.


Since then, they've returned several times and we're enjoying seeing these babies grow and mature.
. 

Wordless Wednesday: Possom Dog Gang Update

It's back...

It's another not so wordless Wednesday here at the For Love of a Dog farm.

Authorities have withdrawn arrest warrants for the three known members of the Possom Dog Gang.  As you will no doubt remember, the Possom Dog Gang was wanted for suspected murder.  The public was urged to approach these individuals with care, since they were fanged and could be dangerous.

A short while ago authorities admitted that the murder victim was not actually dead.  When asked to comment, the local Medical Examiner, Mr. Gary said:  "Beats me."

The public is urged to beware.  The Possom Dog Gang is now wanted for questioning regarding the incident.  It is possible that they may be charged with assault, though authorities admit that evidence is circumstantial at best.

In addition, Possom Dog Gang members are unusually quiet about the incident.  When asked for a public comment, Tucker suggested we speak with Foley Monster, Attorney at Paws.  It's not clear if Mr. Monster is representing the Possom Dog Gang at this time.


We'll keep you updated as more information is available to us.

Coyotes and Possums and Skunks... Oh my!

Well, it's only 11 am and I've already had quite a day. First I spotted a coyote right in our back pasture! Only one, so I don't know if it's one of a pair that have been coming around and running rabbits... or a new one. They must all live nearby because we see them a lot and we sure do hear them at night. Their yipping and yowling makes it hard to go to sleep!

Then, would you believe Jeffie spotted a possum right outside the yard fence! I sure don't know where it was going. I thought they only came out at night, but here it was. Of course, we all ran out to bark and to tell you the truth, I felt kinda sorry for the poor possum who scrambled out of site.

The possum must have startled the resident skunk who let out a whiff of perfume. Peuw! It's beyond me why this skunk has decided to live on our pond bank. There's too much going on here with all the wild life! She took up residence just last weekend and Daddy's been waiting for all the rain to let up... to get rid of the skunk.

To top it all off... we managed to scare away the great heron who'd come in to try for some froggies for breakfast.

What a day. I'm exhausted already. Time for a nap!
xoxo,
Tucker