- Jul 29, 2011
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We rescued a 6 month old lab mix from the LA marsh. He was starved and would eat ANYTHING (even a toaster oven to get some toast). He came into a house with 2 guinea pigs and a couple hamsters. All would have been fair game in the marsh. BUT, he learned that these little creatures were part of the family, just like him. We'd pet the rodents and him, too, side by side.
Fast forward two years and we get three chicks. We raise them in a brooder in the family room. The chicks get lots of attention and Roux sits beside us, getting petted, too. We have enough love to go around. And treats. Treats for the chicks, treats for the dogs.
A few months down the road, 5 hens are living in a coop in a large yard. We let everyone out to play and watch. Roux checks out his new yard mates, gets one serious peck on the nose and decides that he won't bother them. Everyone gets along well. He pulls the satsumas off the tree and the chickens finish what he doesn't eat.
He's kept our older, blind golden retriever from getting pecked by the chickens (we don't know if he was protecting Spooner or the hens).
The best part is he's chased off hawks twice! Last week he earned a huge treat when he tackled a hawk who had pinned one hen and was ripping out feathers. For a moment we thought he was attacking the chickens until we saw the hawk making a hasty retreat over the fence. Fortunately, we found all our hens (though it took an hour to find the victim) scared but unharmed. We won't let the hens free range unless a human or Roux is in the yard. He's proven he's trust worthy.
Fast forward two years and we get three chicks. We raise them in a brooder in the family room. The chicks get lots of attention and Roux sits beside us, getting petted, too. We have enough love to go around. And treats. Treats for the chicks, treats for the dogs.
A few months down the road, 5 hens are living in a coop in a large yard. We let everyone out to play and watch. Roux checks out his new yard mates, gets one serious peck on the nose and decides that he won't bother them. Everyone gets along well. He pulls the satsumas off the tree and the chickens finish what he doesn't eat.
He's kept our older, blind golden retriever from getting pecked by the chickens (we don't know if he was protecting Spooner or the hens).
The best part is he's chased off hawks twice! Last week he earned a huge treat when he tackled a hawk who had pinned one hen and was ripping out feathers. For a moment we thought he was attacking the chickens until we saw the hawk making a hasty retreat over the fence. Fortunately, we found all our hens (though it took an hour to find the victim) scared but unharmed. We won't let the hens free range unless a human or Roux is in the yard. He's proven he's trust worthy.
