Wednesday, December 19, 2012

I told you there was something in the woods


I told you there was something in the woods!
We have lived her for 15 years and very rarely do we hear coyotes, but last night sent chills up my spine as what sounded like 5 or 6 crying and howling in unison to the train whistle last night. They were mere feet from the back of my house. The coyotes are usually well enough away that we have not had to deal with them, but with our outside dogs passed away now and only Damon (who stays in the house) they are now very close to the house in the woods. Damon knew a few weeks ago that there was something in the woods and was digging earlier, probably at a den, and was upset.
Today he and my husband walked the trail in the woods and Damon was on constant alert with his hair on his neck and back up. Usually we have plenty of deer in our woods but we have not seen them in the last few days. I have been in the garden and the deer only feet away in the spring and the fall, but even the rabbits are not around lately.

 I won’t allow the kids to play in the yard without constant supervision and they will definitely not be walking the wooded trails anymore. I'm also going to now carry a pack more often then i do for some possible needed items. Coyotes are unpredictable and love to play at tag type sports before they attack…I’ll keep you posted.


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Dogs and children and jealousy

Dogs and children and jealousy
Damon has been used to just myself, my husband, and our teenage son for a few months now that when the grandchildren come to spend the night there is a bit of jealousy. Especially when it comes to their toys. Turn your back and he will try and steal anything that they are playing with. He has chewed up more wooden blocks, train tracks, stuffed animals; and the crying starts. Damon gets plenty of attention but like with all children and animals they know when your attention is divided.

 I have to block off the living room or the guest room from Damon when they are here because he wants what they have, almost like sibling rivalry! but out of all the toys he wants the stuffed monkey is the one he tries to get at the most.
He knows that when the grandkids are here they get a lot of attention and he wants in on it. And god forbid they leave a half eaten peanut butter sandwich on the table for later...Damon will steal it the first chance he gets.

Wouldn’t it be nice to sleep this good?


Wouldn’t it be nice to sleep this good?
Damon has had his ups and downs with listening, but what dog doesn’t have those kinds of days. (or people for that matter) But I have noticed that he sleeps more than any other dog we have owned, except for the puppy stage.  He snores loudly, and I tried to get a sound bite recorded because no one would believe the sound coming out of his throat. It woke me up with the snarling, beast sounds. I thought animals were being attacked in my house or there was demonic possession, but it was just Damon. I woke him up when I took his picture. (can’t get rid of the ugly chair, he thinks it’s his. i need to find a good dog bed)