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| Cottonwood Butte |
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| Teakean Butte |
For
years now, Mike has baked fat-free oat bran muffins for himself. It started as
a means of combating high cholesterol, and he continues to eat two per day. Taking
a recent batch from the oven, he set them on a low table – actually an upside
down wood box – on the porch to cool, and Bess helped herself, evidently thinking
they were fair game. Mike scolded her soundly, then showed her that only what’s
offered on the floor is for her.
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| Nellie at Canyon rim west of house |
Later,
I approached her as she sat dejectedly in the yard.
“Did
you get into trouble,” I asked.
“Oh
man, did I ever!” she said. “I don’t even want to talk about it.”
Last
week, Bess bit a bull snake on the head, and that struck terror to our hearts
because of the rattlesnakes. The lesson is that she must leave snakes strictly alone.
Once again she was scolded.
“Oh,
I can’t do anything right,” she said.
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| My hunting friends |
In
the wee hours of the morning Bess barked, and then the strong scent of skunk
assaulted our slumbering nostrils. We were relieved this morning to find that
she wasn’t sprayed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a skunk here. But then, I’m
sure there are many animals here that I haven’t sighted.
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| Bess & the target thrower |
Last
year Mike treated himself (and me) to a wonderful battery-operated clay pigeon
thrower, which has become Bess’ favorite thing in all the world. She can’t wrap
her dog brain around the principle of its operation, so she sits beside it –
even naps by it – in order not to miss any action. But she knows that when Mike
gets his shotgun, it’s “show time,” and she can't contain her excitement.
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| Bess |
Here
are some pictures of Bess at the thrower. She points the machine, every muscle
at the ready. The moment Mike calls “pull,” she turns tail and runs after the
soaring clay pigeon. When it hits the ground, she runs back to point the
thrower again. It's just a game she plays with the thrower. She could do it all day, I think.
And
Nellie? She’s retired, you know. When Mike gets out his gun – any gun – she hides
in the utility room by the water heater, seemingly oblivious of her hunting pedigree. At nearly 14, she still (mostly)
enjoys our walks. She lags behind to explore, then trots along to catch up. KW
4 comments:
What is a bull snake? You witnessed it happening? Did the snake bite her?
I'm not sure that Bess is the one who should have been scolded in the muffin event. Pretty unfair to put a savory treat at nose level for a dog and proclaim that it's off limits. If the German Shorthair sense of smell is ten times better than ours (or whatever it is), the temptation would be unbearable!
A bull snake is non-venomous -- long and "narrow."
Yes, Mike realized that he had tempted Bess, so she only received a scolding. But children and pets have to learn some discipline. It doesn't pay to be too soft-hearted. As you know, our working pets are treated well. Being creatures of routine, they pretty much rule my day. She got something out of that scolding, and I assure you, life goes on pleasantly for her.
Actually it wasn't a Bull snake but a Racer. Bull snakes aren't poisonous but they are mean.
I'll have to add - I've left the muffins out in the same place to cool twice after the incident with no problems. Bess is a fast learner.
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