Yesterday, while enjoying a visit from my neighbor lady, who had brought that rotten little mutt of hers with her, our conversation was rudely interrupted by "Ricky" the rotten mutt, who was attacking "Fussbutt", one of my Buff Orps, who was, of course outside and enjoying her usual free range time.
In all of the confusion of trying to round up "Rotten Ricky", Fussbutt disappeared. "Rotten Ricky" was tossed unceremoniously into the truck while I searched in vain for Fussbutt. It is completely amazing how scarce a panicked bird can make herself. I searched for the better part of two hours trying to find her.
I was gravely concerned for her health as I never got close enough to see if she had been injured by "Rotten Ricky".
Along about bedtime, she appeared, minus a few tail feathers, but apparently none the worse for wear. She took it all so well in her stride, even giving Jasper, our Labrador, a quick good night brushing between his legs.
Sometimes, I think chickens are far smarter than people give them credit for. She obviously knew the difference between Jasper, her constant companion, and "Rotten Ricky" the attack Pomeranian!
Where she was hiding all day, I'll probably never know. This is, after all, a rather large homestead, with plenty of places for a panicked chicken to hide in. Thankfully, she knows where home is, no matter how scared she is!
"Rotten Ricky" has received a permanent banning from our home. Kelly was properly embarrassed and apologetic. Fussbutt has already settled down and has even laid her usual morning egg for me. So, no harm, no foul, I suppose.
But the experience has certainly put me on the alert for any future visits from unwelcome dogs! And the lesson was not lost on the rest of the girls. A neighborhood dog passing by on the road was looked at with great suspicion by the entire flock this morning!
In all of the confusion of trying to round up "Rotten Ricky", Fussbutt disappeared. "Rotten Ricky" was tossed unceremoniously into the truck while I searched in vain for Fussbutt. It is completely amazing how scarce a panicked bird can make herself. I searched for the better part of two hours trying to find her.
I was gravely concerned for her health as I never got close enough to see if she had been injured by "Rotten Ricky".
Along about bedtime, she appeared, minus a few tail feathers, but apparently none the worse for wear. She took it all so well in her stride, even giving Jasper, our Labrador, a quick good night brushing between his legs.
Sometimes, I think chickens are far smarter than people give them credit for. She obviously knew the difference between Jasper, her constant companion, and "Rotten Ricky" the attack Pomeranian!
Where she was hiding all day, I'll probably never know. This is, after all, a rather large homestead, with plenty of places for a panicked chicken to hide in. Thankfully, she knows where home is, no matter how scared she is!
"Rotten Ricky" has received a permanent banning from our home. Kelly was properly embarrassed and apologetic. Fussbutt has already settled down and has even laid her usual morning egg for me. So, no harm, no foul, I suppose.
But the experience has certainly put me on the alert for any future visits from unwelcome dogs! And the lesson was not lost on the rest of the girls. A neighborhood dog passing by on the road was looked at with great suspicion by the entire flock this morning!
