Found a coyote, I think

[dragoneggs]

John, I just spent a couple of evenings reading carefully ALL of the posts in this incredible thread after my initial post here. It definitely struck a nerve as I remembered my Coy-Dog that I nurtured from a pup. I was a bit taken aback on the ignorance of some posters here... both those positive and negative about caring for a 'wild' pup. Having done it, albeit a wild/domestic mix (I am guessing) for thirteen years, I wanted to immediately post many times while reacting to specific posts here, but I wanted to restrain until I 'caught up'. I am no position to comment on whether you did the 'right' thing but it was obvious that the experience enriched you and your family's life. Some talked about a book, but I think the best gift would be to at least, document your story and feelings and pass on the life lessons to your children and theirs. What better gift than that!

I think you handled the entire situation, whether it was your eloquent writing of the rearing of Sandy, the graceful responding to posters to your thread, or the keeping of perspective and respect for those who became involved here... all the while you wrestled with an unknown outcome that was obviously stressful. I know I could not have acted as you have. Should be a lesson for many.

Trying not to get sappy here but... it has been 10 years since I had to put 'Nikki' down, but you brought back memories that I had lost and I thank you for that!

Mark

 

[Raspy]

Mark,

Thanks for your thoughtful post and kind words. This has been an interesting journey for quite a few and it has been interesting and insightful for me to see the responses of the posters. We all have learned and felt something here, and many of us were willing to see the song dog in a different light. Even those with closed minds were challenged enough to gather their views and organize them in writing. I consider that a service to the dogs.

An interesting thread that winds its way through every story about coyotes, that have lived with people, is that the people have been deeply touched. Deeply. My neighbors father, for instance, had one as a youngster and he's over ninety now. He still won't talk about it. And talk about getting sappy, I get choked up trying to tell her story even now. It turns out there are quite a few people that have had some interaction with them on a friendly basis.

I still am wrestling with why myself and others get so emotionally involved with these dogs. It's powerful stuff. It involves a powerfully intelligent, independent and well meaning dog. One that everybody seems to fear or hate. One that has absolutely nothing. All the cards are stacked against this dog, but the joy and sense of humor and in the moment life, just shines. A dog oblivious to the fragility of its life that lives with exuberance. A dog with nothing but life itself, and no future, who lives so joyously, is touching. Especially when they accept us as their pack and go out of their way to fit in. Leave their wild world and do things like live in the house, accept strangers, ride in cars, walk on a leash and voluntarily make our world theirs. Even learn some of our language and interact. Wow.

Recently I've been wondering how we could get a coy-dog, but I can't think of a way to do it yet. I'm thrilled that you had the experience and I'd like to know more.

Coyotes are all over the place here and I even have a picture of one I think is Sandy's sibling. If I could get a female shepherd to mate with one................oh, just scheming.

I agree with passing the story on in some fashion and many of my neighbors were indirectly involved with Sandy. None of them were affected in the same way we were because they had to overcome their wariness in the process. But my granddaughters had fun playing with her. They'll remember but, I think, only as a novelty.

 

[RandyBell]

John you are correct it is hard to write about them without bring up a lot of emotions! I think Shadow's would have written better had it been started from the beginning, as it is hard to remember everything from 10 years ago! I know I have probably forgotten some of her growing up and not having more pictures from back then makes it harder. I guess Shadow really wasn't that hard to deal with, everyone that knew her ended up loving her.

Are you guys doing alright? Hope so! Our annual Hog Roast is coming up and people coming in from out of state for that could be interesting at least it will be busy next week!

Randy

 

[sd455dan]

Thought I'd post a couple of pictures.

Here she is.

We mowed a property for my sister and caught these pictures sorry- low resolution, stuck zoom

asked my sister if any of the neighbors had any animals killed or go missing and they hadn't figure there were a lot of field mice... the field is right next to an airport so who knows ...

There was a stand of trees and vegetation that they kept going back to (possible puppies) we left that entire area alone and un mowed I won't be shooting or bothering any of them, and hope they survive and head for the wild

I will be reading the rest of your thread so, hope I don't stick my foot in my mouth here



One other thing
We live out of town and one night after mowing the above property I heard a cat scream - and the next day noticed that one of our outside cats was missing.

We have coyotes in the area and do hear them probably every few nights, any way a couple days later we found our cat dead under our horse trailer
It had been ripped open, but was still intact other wise- we buried it. I started getting ticked when the coyotes would howl and began thinking (it was them).


well another 2 days go by and at dusk we sent our grand daughter out to get some vegetables from the garden, I hear a scream (not the grand daughter) and hissing. as I get there I see a Bob cat heading off into the woods.


Now I can't be absolutely sure but have never seen Coyotes on our property and at this point think the Bobcat killed our cat . anyway I was ready to blame one animal for what another was probably responsible for...

 

[Raspy]

Randy,

It is hard to remember details from ten years back.

In my groping for the important examples in the story of Sandy's behavior, I'm beginning to realize that those instances are just examples to show the point I want to make. In many cases, it's not the physical trick she performed, it's the intelligence, the companionship, the insight, the independence or sense of humor that those actions represent. Her emotions make my experience what it was. Those are the things I struggle with because I want to share, or I want to relive them. It turns out, with these dogs, we are them and they are us.

Sandy represented or embraced the things that I think are so important in life, and lived them to the fullest with joy and sincerity. It's a hard assignment to adequately convey all this in a story. She went from extremely fragile, frozen and abandoned, to a thriving, respected pack member. One so unthreatened, well fed and secure, that she could express herself completely and reveal all that she was. And what a fine individual she turned out to be! Our naive and compassionate rescue was rewarded with an amazing friendship.

Maybe some of that rings true with you and Shadow.

What if it turned out that those who hate coyotes have seen them represent the worst in life? Some disturbing incident sticks with them. Or maybe they just want an excuse for target practice. Or maybe, for some, fearing the unknown is a stubborn habit. Or maybe, as sd455 said, they are "ready to blame one animal for what another was probably responsible for".

You obviously reached out and embraced not only Shadow, but what she represented. You got it. And she knew it. That's something you'll always have. If you can convey it to others, good, but I know for me, unless I have a serious breakthrough in my writing skills, it will never come across well enough.

I like what Mark said above about documenting the story and passing it along to family members. I wish I had some insightful stories, written and passed down from my parents and grandparents, that revealed some of life's lessons they cherished.

Keep up the good work my friend.

 

[Raspy]

sd,

Thanks for the pix and the insights.

 

[Depmandog]

This has nothing to do with coyotes, wolves or even the recently introduced bobcat of this thread. I came across this very touching video of an elephant and his old trainer which were reunited some 15 years later.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c65_1380580510#muL7JF8myIMpv65D.03

John, something tells me this might comfort you or provide assistance to your writing.

 

[RandyBell]

Dean that was very nice to see, and yes I believe that animals do remember you over time, scent and your sound imprints on them just as your parents are imprinted on you. I know a friend that had black bears that I was around a good bit when they were cubs, bottle feeding and such, and thy remembered me later when I went up to visit!
John I think I know what you mean with the writing, I just wish I had been smart enough to keep a journal of it!
Sd great pics and I applaud you for leaving them be. Bobcats are vicious compared to coyotes and are not above killing a cat if they feel compelled, I have two cats that our vet confirmed are half Bobcat, we always joked that it would have been the only thing mean enough to breed the female cat, and she is still around my daughter has her. One of them is big, long hind legs, stubby tail and solid. He is the enforcer here at the house if a squabble breaks out he runs to investigate. He thinks he is a dog he wants to hang around the wolves, Shadow used to let him, and would even take Bob for walks when went took them out, we would fasten Bobs leash on Shadow's collar and she would mosey along with Bob so he could sniff everything! Weasel isn't as patient. Bobs sister is one of the smallest cats we have, she has no tail and with her long legs she hops like a bunny.

 

[sd455dan]

Dean that was very nice to see, and yes I believe that animals do remember you over time, scent and your sound imprints on them just as your parents are imprinted on you. I know a friend that had black bears that I was around a good bit when they were cubs, bottle feeding and such, and thy remembered me later when I went up to visit!
John I think I know what you mean with the writing, I just wish I had been smart enough to keep a journal of it!
Sd great pics and I applaud you for leaving them be. Bobcats are vicious compared to coyotes and are not above killing a cat if they feel compelled, I have two cats that our vet confirmed are half Bobcat, we always joked that it would have been the only thing mean enough to breed the female cat, and she is still around my daughter has her. One of them is big, long hind legs, stubby tail and solid. He is the enforcer here at the house if a squabble breaks out he runs to investigate. He thinks he is a dog he wants to hang around the wolves, Shadow used to let him, and would even take Bob for walks when went took them out, we would fasten Bobs leash on Shadow's collar and she would mosey along with Bob so he could sniff everything! Weasel isn't as patient. Bobs sister is one of the smallest cats we have, she has no tail and with her long legs she hops like a bunny.

Thanks , back in the 1970s my wifes brother had a bobcat (not sure how pure blood it was) for a couple years ( had to wear gloves to play with him!) but he eventually killed 1 of the 2 domestic cats, luckily they had a friend who could take him-he had no other pets and also lived out of town.

 

[RandyBell]

I would assume back then it may have been pure bred, you had to wear gloves to play with him, so I take it he was rough! Our Bob isn't mean except if you try to give him a bath, my wife tried Once! The thing that is perplexing about it is that he loves to play in the water. She is always yelling at him, because we have one of those water bowls with the 5 gal bottle on it and he will splash water all over the kitchen playing in it!