Dog vs Ducks
Yes ladies and gentlemen! Today’s entertainment is dog vs ducks! Okay, so it’s not as dramatic as all that, but there’s a long-standing feud between Flash and Jimmy. Today I let Flash hang out with me in the backyard to see how throwing Petey into the mix would alter the situation. Interesting.
Yes, today’s post is gently recycled. Petey, here, was still a baby, squeaking instead of quacking. Eventually he and Jim had it out and Jim was brutal. We had to rehome Petey and he went to a farm where he was the only duck amongst chickens and goats. A happy place.
Here’s the deal: Jimmy (the white duck) is just a little more than a year old. This spring, when Roger Ann hatched her first little duckling, the duckling (our first Petey) stayed with Jimmy and Roger Ann. It was adorable, watching the tiny duckling toddle after mom and dad all over the yard. I didn’t know any better.
About a week out, someone let the dogs and birds out before I woke up (I’m usually first to rise and let everyone out in order) – which means I probably woke up with a migraine that morning. I realized what occurred about a minute too late, rushed outside, and the dogs were playing catch with their new play toy. It was horrid.
So from that point on I’ve brought the ducklings in to raise them as soon as they’ve hatched. And Jimmy has had it out for the dogs ever since. He chases them, biting them, head lowered. They’re a little afraid of him, truth be told. Partly because they know I won’t let them hurt him. Mostly. And his bite is not gentle.
Why the Animosity?
For the last two months (Petey was hatched October first), the dogs have been quite supervised when they’ve been out, or have only been let out when the birds are put away. Today Flash hung out with me while I hung out with the chickens and ducks. He did surprisingly well, considering he hates Jimmy almost as much as Jimmy hates him. There was a bit of tension for a second, but no attacks. Petey seems to have absolutely no fear of Flash, which is good.
I’ll still always be outside if the birds and dogs are out together. That’s just smart and safe. But it’s nice to see everyone getting along again. Kind of. Heh.
Oh, and that red spot on Flash’s nose? He’s been rubbing his nose on the kitchen tile when he eats. He’s done that in the past, but it’s usually when he’s stressed, like if we go away, or I’m packing to leave. Not sure what the deal is today. Any thoughts? Maybe the stress of not eating a duck?
Giveaway
And because we’re Jones Natural Chews – a dog treat company which loves dogs more than just about anything else – we’re giving away treats! To enter the giveaway, click this sentence, scroll down in the new window, follow the simple instruction and make your dog smile! Out treat giveaway is a Frank N Woofer. A 100% all beef “bun”, and a Chicken Roller “hot dog”. Pretty amazing. And I can almost guarantee that in the battle of dog vs ducks, your dog will want this treat more. Ducks prefer grass, bugs, and coffee with cream, in that order. Dogs prefer meaty treats from Jones.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea
