The day started routinely enough.
I was busy in the kitchen prepping Sampson and Delilah’s breakfast.
Sampson was sitting quietly waiting, while Delilah danced back and forth looking for the best spot to observe the process.
From her temporary post at the edge of the kitchen she sat facing the back window.
All of a sudden she darted to the window, paws on the sill, barking frantically.
Sampson rushed over and joined her.
Both of them stood there for a few seconds, then dashed to the door.
As soon as I opened the door, they pushed through it, then out the screen door, where Sampson turned sharp left and ran up the stairs, and Delilah turned sharp right and rushed up the fence line.
I remember thinking, Gosh I hope a skunk didn’t get trapped in the yard or something.
As I turned around to head back into the kitchen I walked past the window and glanced up into the yard.
And that’s when I saw it.
Photo courtesy of www.wookmark.com
“Ho” “HO!” I said. (Apparently I was channeling my inner Santa.)
Then I thought, oh my god, what if they actually corner it, or it gets stuck in the yard?
I rushed out the door after the dogs and ran up the stairs.
My next thought was, Thank God they can jump fences.
Have you ever let the dogs out without thinking what MIGHT be out there waiting? Good or disastrous results?
Monday Mischief is brought to you by Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Luna and Cinder and My Brown Newfies.
Yes I have. We lived in a house where there were lots of deer. Thankfully they do jump fences, and don’t stomp dogs.
OMG, every single day! The dogs go tearing out of the backdoor and I think to myself, I hope the bunnies and groundhogs hear them coming!
We had a near miss one morning when we were at the cabin. I opened the door and let the boys out and there was a raccoon right on the porch. Thankfully, they were both on leashes and the way we burst out the door kind of scared it off. I’d hate to think what would have happened if they had gotten closer. Here in AZ we also have a lot of rattlesnakes and I tend to do yard patrol when the boys are out.
Sam
OMG, fancy seeing one of those running through your yard..the only thing we get is a squirrel now and again..The dogs didn’t chase him ? xx00xx
Mollie and Alfie
Yes! Worst thing ours corner that can’t get away are hedgehogs. Can’t do much damage luckily except go hoarse with barking.
🙂
Sometimes the Leah dog corners cats in the yard, but they usually climb the fence and she doesn’t. The few times they weren’t fast enough, when The One Named Nick yells, she leaves them alone. The One Called Donna worries that one day she might corner a raccoon, since we have lots of them around.
I’ve got to find your ‘subscribe by email’ link because I keep losing sight of your new site. Sorry about that. Glad I found you today though – this is a scenario we can most certainly appreciate. I’m glad no animals were hurt in the making of this post. 😉
But yes, oh yes, can I appreciate how your heart must have stopped when you realized you had two big dogs heading out in pursuit of a deer. We’re never sure exactly what animal is in the yard ticking Bella off from the house but deer would be a relief. She has been sprayed by skunks no less than 3 times in her 3 summers with us – is she ever going to learn?
But we always have weasels and raccoons – which I worry about hurting her – and rabbits and opossum – which I worry about her hurting. This summer we even had bear in the neighborhood so that added a whole new layer of complexity to walking the dog – in the woods – at night. (I had more confidence in the bear trying to avoid confrontation than the dog. 😉
We try to scan the area first because they would probably chase whatever. We don’t need it to be a skunk or porcupine. It is good to know that Sampson and Delilah are on patrol. 🙂
every day…well we have a doggie door that they can use 24/7. its game on when it comes to the backyard…sadly snakes, bunnies, possum, ferral kitties have all paid the penalty. Whats worse is when I hear the specific bark that she makes and I have to go out there and either get her away from the injured animal or make the decision to let her finish it so it can die and not suffer. sucks! we dont have any deer since we live in a residental suburban neighborhood with 6ft privacy fence but I feel your pain 🙂
Hi Y’all!
Some dogs have all the fun! I’m not allowed to chase…my Human is just no fun at all! You know what she’d make me do? Sit! Sit is what I have to do anytime I start getting too excited about something!
Y’all come back now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Hi!
Just wanted to say…I’m impressed! I never have a camera within easy reach so I can catch moments like that, and if I do, by the time I turned it on the deer would be in the next county!
BrownDog’s Human
Too funny! Was the poor little deer okay?
I imagine I would be just as guilty if my yard was actually fenced. Though my dog tends to be a wuss around wildlife so this may not even be an issue for us. 😛
Woof! Woof! Yes there are pretty and amazingly can jump high. Happy MM. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
We had a Guinea hen in our yard a few years ago. She thought she was part of the dog pack and we had many exciting adventures though several months.
I let my nose lead when I let Honey out after dark. We have a resident skunk in the neighborhood and I don’t want any stinky confrontations. I worry about my unobservant husband, however. It’s only a matter of time.
We actually designed our back fence so the openings were big enough to let a cat escape but not a full grown dog. Darn cats. If they only knew how much I was looking out for them, maybe they’d stop using my garden as a litter box.
Not with Georgia. We’re pretty careful because of the street cats. Anyway, Cushion has trained her (should I say spoilt her?) and she now will not walk out our front door without a treat. Not sure if that’s good or bad 🙂
You can see our whole back area from the door, without even trying. No room for mischief, there.
I did let Silas out of the car with the garage door still up once. Turns out, that was the one time there was another dog walking down the street. But, it convinced him that he wouldn’t die from stepping out of the garage, so it turned out to be a good thing.
That sounds like something that could happen at our house! I’m glad all’s well that ends well. Ours would have given that deer a run for its money!
Too many times with disastrous results. Mine is one of the few yards that is completely fenced so why do the critters come in. Seriously, you think the rabbits would just know by now to stay away.
Hey Sampson, Hey Delilah, Jetty here. Hi Miss Jodi.
Wowee wow wow! It’s a wildlife day for Casa Miss Jodi and Casa Jetty! 🙂
Dad always insists on coming out with me, I can cope alone but Walt needs looking after! They always do a preliminary sweep of the area, which is silly cause that’s what I’m here for!!
I do but it is usually after I let them out but unless the critter can jump a 6 ft fence I think we are okay, of course if they burrow under I guess they better burrow out quick…lol
I’m always afraid a turkey vulture or some other large flying raptor will grab Honey, she’s so little. Hubby insists that won’t happen but I worry, worry, worry…