Dogs
by Carrie Boyko, CEB
We're running photo free today, as this image would not be a pleasant one. (experienced and written while still in my pj's) I hope you find something useful in the touching nature of the story, though. It will be good to hear a Retriever's take on appreciating life:
We're all a little sad this morning, even as it is Father's Day. Upon rising and taking to the yard for the morning constitution, Tanner found a baby bird that apparently fell out of the nest during last night's thunderstorm. There was a lot of wind and hard rain. Obviously the little one didn't make it. What was so touching was that Tanner gently picked it up with his mouth, carried it to the front step and carefully placed it there for me to "deal with". He sat with it and guarded it until I returned with Oliver. He looked at me with forlorn eyes, as if to say, "My little friend didn't make it through the storm, huh?"
Tanner enjoys the fun of a critter chase as much as any dog. But each and every time (3 or 4 events maybe) he has cornered a raccoon, opossum or rodent, he has reacted in the same way. He sat, once cornering the game, and looked at it sadly. The fun part of chasing was over now and he didn't seem to know quite what to do with this cornered critter now that he had it there.
The last such event was epic. As I approached to ask what he had found, I saw two beady little eyes looking up at me with no apparent fear. It had become clear to this little coon that Tanner meant no harm, now that he got the little fella (or girl?) cornered. Actually, poor Tanner's DNA seems to given out once the chase was over and the prey was his. He simply wouldn't hurt the animal. Is this normal? I don't know, nor do I care. I'm glad I don't have to deal with a flacid racoon on the doorstep, at the close of Tanner's tag game.
I bent down and hugged him as he guarded the dead baby bird. When I took his face in my hands his eyes did not meet mine the way they normally do--sparkling and affectionate. He looked down at the baby bird and dropped to the ground by the step beside it, laying his head on the step. He was mourning this tiny little birdie. How cute is that?
- Tillman Treats Take Front Seat To Fishing
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © AllThingsDogBlog.com Tanner at the Scene of the CrimeYes! This photo was posed. This weekend Tanner experienced another fishing expedition which played out a bit differently than our last event. I'm busy getting his mind off...
- Houdini Strikes Again, Or Oliver Goes On Walkabout
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © AllThingsDogBlog.com Tanner Keeps Watch in the Yard Tanner and I had a moment on Wednesday. Not what you would normally consider bonding, but this most certainly was a situation where Tanner took charge and did what he could to...
- Super Dog Clean Up With Luv And Emma
by Carrie Boyko, CEB After a recent construction event here, our yard is definitely in sad shape. There are areas of dirt exposed and we're in need of some serious Eco-friendly mulch to keep Tanner and Oliver from bringing in the garden soil on...
- Dogs Have Fish Stories Too!
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © courtesy k.m. Tanner's Proud CatchOh how I wish I could let Tanner tell this story himself. What a proud tale it would be. Unfortunately, you have to read it second hand, but it is a fun story for any dog lover to...
- Swimming Isn't Just For Lab-lovers
© copyright Carrie Boyko 2009Tanner in True Fetching Form Lately I've spoken with a number of Retriever owners whose dogs do not enjoy the water. After a few questions, the problem becomes clear. Given that these dogs, bred to collect the hunter's...
Dogs
Good Dog Tanner. I Know You Tried.
by Carrie Boyko, CEB
We're running photo free today, as this image would not be a pleasant one. (experienced and written while still in my pj's) I hope you find something useful in the touching nature of the story, though. It will be good to hear a Retriever's take on appreciating life:
We're all a little sad this morning, even as it is Father's Day. Upon rising and taking to the yard for the morning constitution, Tanner found a baby bird that apparently fell out of the nest during last night's thunderstorm. There was a lot of wind and hard rain. Obviously the little one didn't make it. What was so touching was that Tanner gently picked it up with his mouth, carried it to the front step and carefully placed it there for me to "deal with". He sat with it and guarded it until I returned with Oliver. He looked at me with forlorn eyes, as if to say, "My little friend didn't make it through the storm, huh?"
Tanner enjoys the fun of a critter chase as much as any dog. But each and every time (3 or 4 events maybe) he has cornered a raccoon, opossum or rodent, he has reacted in the same way. He sat, once cornering the game, and looked at it sadly. The fun part of chasing was over now and he didn't seem to know quite what to do with this cornered critter now that he had it there.
The last such event was epic. As I approached to ask what he had found, I saw two beady little eyes looking up at me with no apparent fear. It had become clear to this little coon that Tanner meant no harm, now that he got the little fella (or girl?) cornered. Actually, poor Tanner's DNA seems to given out once the chase was over and the prey was his. He simply wouldn't hurt the animal. Is this normal? I don't know, nor do I care. I'm glad I don't have to deal with a flacid racoon on the doorstep, at the close of Tanner's tag game.
I bent down and hugged him as he guarded the dead baby bird. When I took his face in my hands his eyes did not meet mine the way they normally do--sparkling and affectionate. He looked down at the baby bird and dropped to the ground by the step beside it, laying his head on the step. He was mourning this tiny little birdie. How cute is that?
- Tillman Treats Take Front Seat To Fishing
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © AllThingsDogBlog.com Tanner at the Scene of the CrimeYes! This photo was posed. This weekend Tanner experienced another fishing expedition which played out a bit differently than our last event. I'm busy getting his mind off...
- Houdini Strikes Again, Or Oliver Goes On Walkabout
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © AllThingsDogBlog.com Tanner Keeps Watch in the Yard Tanner and I had a moment on Wednesday. Not what you would normally consider bonding, but this most certainly was a situation where Tanner took charge and did what he could to...
- Super Dog Clean Up With Luv And Emma
by Carrie Boyko, CEB After a recent construction event here, our yard is definitely in sad shape. There are areas of dirt exposed and we're in need of some serious Eco-friendly mulch to keep Tanner and Oliver from bringing in the garden soil on...
- Dogs Have Fish Stories Too!
by Carrie Boyko, CEB © courtesy k.m. Tanner's Proud CatchOh how I wish I could let Tanner tell this story himself. What a proud tale it would be. Unfortunately, you have to read it second hand, but it is a fun story for any dog lover to...
- Swimming Isn't Just For Lab-lovers
© copyright Carrie Boyko 2009Tanner in True Fetching Form Lately I've spoken with a number of Retriever owners whose dogs do not enjoy the water. After a few questions, the problem becomes clear. Given that these dogs, bred to collect the hunter's...