Sunday, May 23, 2010

When To Butt In


For the last year or so I have been having predator problems in the form of a wire-haired Chihuahua mix. The neighbor's dog is squeezing through my fences to pluck chickens and chase goats. I have spoken to them several times about it and have gotten various responses, including that it was my responsibility to keep their dog out of my farm. Since it is hard to fence out something the size of large rat I continue to see Pickles in my farm from time to time, apparently small enough to fit under Koo's protective radar.
This morning I was cleaning around the chicken pen when I heard a big thud, the sound of something with the wind knocked out of it, and then a shrill yelping. I came around the corner and saw Cora Belle, with that smug look she gets when she's made a good connection, and Pickles running for home with her tail between her legs.
I guess Cora Belle was just practicing with the other goats for a time when it would really count.

16 comments:

Tonia said...

Here in Missouri if a dog comes on your property and harasses, chases or otherwise harms your animals you have By Law the right to shoot said dog!!
But Wooo Hooo Cora Belle! Good one!

IsobelleGoLightly said...

Hoooray Cora Belle! Weeeee! We hate strange animals in our pastures too and our lady is nervous of them. Let's hope Pickles has learned a lesson! I'm sorry that Pickle's owners aren't more concerned about where he is going!

I need orange said...

Go, Cora, GO! What a good and smart girl!

V.L. Locey said...

Way to go Cora Belle!!

Holly said...

A Guard Goat! Love it!

I hope Pickles stays home now or at least avoids the goats. I also wish his owners would take better care of him.....he could become a road pancake if they continue to be so careless.

Gone2theDawgs said...

Good job, Cora Belle! Maybe you need to get yourself a good sling shot or air rifle to help encourage that dog to stay home! You may let the neighbor know you are picking up a guardian dog that is known to kill dogs on the property....even though it's not true maybe they many be more inclined to keep their dog home. Those kind of neighbors irritate the heck out of me!! :(

Danni said...

A guard goat! I love it!!
It will be interesting to see if Pickles makes a return visit.

Marigold said...

Hey, Ho! Peanut here! Another familial trait surfaces! I, myself, butted the Mighty Quinn into the electric fence when he was young. Well, the goatmother wasn't all that pleased, but hey, it is what it is. :)

Sheryl at Providence North said...

LOL! I love it! Good girl Cora!!

frugalmom said...

Way to go Cora Belle! I was wondering the same thing as danni...will that little dog make another appearance???? I wonder...

Chai Chai said...

Its YOUR job to keep THEIR dog off your property, really? They really must have some nerve. Happy to see Cora Belle taking things into her own hands - err - cranium.

Cathy said...

We have laws in WA that are similar to MO. Pickles has just been given a warning.
The next time you see it in your pasture, you can haul her into the pound, at the very least.
Although on our farm, after the first neighborly warning, we usually have a nice hole to plant a tree in the next time the dog comes for a visit. We try to make it a dogwood as they are so pretty in the spring.

Teresa said...

You go Cora Belle! I've heard of guard donkeys and guard llamas, but you've got a guard goat!

Anonymous said...

I heard that same wind knocked out sound here when Jill(the Basset hound first came here to live) met Annie the goat. Jill thought it was a lot of fun to run and bark at the goats. Annie had 2 little ones at the time and she had enough fun with the short legged little dog.

Jill goes way around when she sees Annie the goat now.

Way to go Cora Belle!

Have a great day.
Pam

SueP said...

A friend of mine used to have a horse who hated dogs, esp. if they dared to go into his corral. If he didn't kick them or stomp them, he'd pick them up with his teeth and fling them into next Tuesday.
We tried to warn people, but they just wouldn't listen...
Cora Belle, you go, girl!
No Pickles allowed near those babies!

Lilac Cottage Homestead said...

I hope that teaches him to stay on his own side of the fence. I only hope the neighbors don't try sueing you for vet fees. Because if they have the guts to tell you it's your job to keep their dog off your property then who knows what they will do next.