[Market-farming] Farm Dogs

David Guthrie dguthrie at egyptian.net
Sat Jan 3 13:47:55 EST 2009


Condolences to all who lost farm dog/pet recently:

Not to be too sentimental over losses, but this has been our experience too of late.

Last mother's day weekend we came home from church to find our collie (lassie type) passed away and lying by the back door.  It's where he would go when he wanted inside and to be near the family.

This protector of small children, gardens, and chicken pens was one of our best experiences with animals.  Shortly after this we noticed lettuce and spinach beds mowed to the ground from deer.  I noticed my fall planted peas weren't growing and discovered deer were eating the new shoots and waiting till they grew back to come back for more.  No peas last fall.  In 7 years of pastured chickens only one time did we experience loss and that was from loose wire and a wandering raccoon.  The dog patrolled the place at night or slept by the door of the house and would frequently drive away anything that came around at night (including coyotes).  He even was known to tree and kill racoons that became coonskin hats by my son.  After he died one evening i drove into the driveway and the truck lights lit up 12 deer camped next to one of our pole barns in a patch of clover planted for pasture.

Gardens, chickens and kids.  We didn't know how good that dog was. . .till he was gone.

Having grown up with the dog, my son buried him in the woods and we all remember often.  We're thankful for the dog and the character building experience.

Since then, we lost our last cat and now have new mice.

happy new year to all

david guthrie
illinois
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marcy 
  To: 'Market Farming' 
  Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2009 9:31 AM
  Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Farm Dogs


  Anyone else have experience with dogs, deer & gardens?

   

  Thanks Marie!
  Marcy

  SE Colo - 44 with moisture headed our way (we'll see)

   

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