(Kennel area-our house is pretty far away as you can see in the pic on the top. Bottom (facing mountain) kennel is under big tree, next to bush and shed to hopefully provide "hidden perceptions." There is space all around the outside of the kennel.)
My husband had an interesting conversation about our Teddy over the weekend. He spoke with a gentleman who was familiar with the "running dog" on Sharp Mountain as he himself had seen him on numerous occasions. He shared a story that will help us all to learn first hand how Teddy survives. As was related to me, this gentleman was hunting during deer season on the mountain (I believe he had hunting companions with him). ( Now this story is not for the squeamish-I admit I don't like to hear about anything being hurt, but then again I'm not trying to survive in the wild either). These hunters saw Teddy running down a deer, and were quoted as saying, "he wasn't too far behind either." A while later they came upon him again as he was dining. To see and observe Teddy, one wouldn't think this boy had that ability in him. I don't see any aggression whatever with regard to people or other animals as he runs when a dog barks or even when the turkey gobbles. But I guess in the wild, survival instincts take over, even for a domesticated animal-this boy is so smart, can you imagine the constructive things he could learn given the opportunity? So now we know one way that Teddy managed to survive the winter.
Interestingly I watched him this morning-this dog is soooooo smart. I placed a very small amount of food at his "old area" and trailed tidbits down to the kennel area. I placed another small amount of food on a plate approximately 5 ft, from the open kennel door, and I placed a heaping pile of smelly foods right inside the kennel door. As I watched him follow the trail of treats, he suddenly disappeared behind our shed. He reappeared on the opposite side (facing the house), and began investigating the kennel. He stood for the longest time looking inside (from the no door side) and proceeded to sniff and walk around the entire kennel excepting the door side. I wondered if he was checking to see if there was another way out if he entered. I don't want to humanize here, but that's what I thought as he investigated, and finally as he looked into the kennel through the fence again, said "there ain't no way out of this one either." (Of course I'm kidding here but...) He then trotted away. So once again, survival instincts? "I don't see a way out, so I'm not going in?" Only Teddy knows for sure.
I have lived with dogs and cats and an assortment of animals all my life. I also have been involved in Scottie and Westie Rescue for many many years. All of my dogs continue to attend training classes well into their senior years and we all try to be very active, so I do feel my dog experiences give me a fairly good understanding and knowledge base. However, my "dog education" has expanded so much since watching our boy. He has shown me an entirely different perspective of "dogdom," survival, and spirit. Just watching him -his reactions, his demeanor, and his intuitiveness have revealed to me "parts" of a dog that I may never have known, nor began to understand. He has taught me! Just to watch him and consider....what his days have been like and how he endures and obviously persevered before coming to the shelter a year ago. For surely, the issues he came with when brought to the shelter, were created and supported elsewhere in his young life at that time. Only God and Teddy knows what his true experiences were before that "shelter drop-off day," and now only God and Teddy knows what he experiences in a day. But hopefully (if Teddy is not TOO smart) we'll rescue him and help him learn to live in peace.
I can only hope that his "study" of the kennel this morning brought thoughts of safety and good food. I have to believe, I want to believe...and I hope. As do all of you!
Please continue to pray for his safety AND for his rescue-thank you!
Interestingly I watched him this morning-this dog is soooooo smart. I placed a very small amount of food at his "old area" and trailed tidbits down to the kennel area. I placed another small amount of food on a plate approximately 5 ft, from the open kennel door, and I placed a heaping pile of smelly foods right inside the kennel door. As I watched him follow the trail of treats, he suddenly disappeared behind our shed. He reappeared on the opposite side (facing the house), and began investigating the kennel. He stood for the longest time looking inside (from the no door side) and proceeded to sniff and walk around the entire kennel excepting the door side. I wondered if he was checking to see if there was another way out if he entered. I don't want to humanize here, but that's what I thought as he investigated, and finally as he looked into the kennel through the fence again, said "there ain't no way out of this one either." (Of course I'm kidding here but...) He then trotted away. So once again, survival instincts? "I don't see a way out, so I'm not going in?" Only Teddy knows for sure.
I have lived with dogs and cats and an assortment of animals all my life. I also have been involved in Scottie and Westie Rescue for many many years. All of my dogs continue to attend training classes well into their senior years and we all try to be very active, so I do feel my dog experiences give me a fairly good understanding and knowledge base. However, my "dog education" has expanded so much since watching our boy. He has shown me an entirely different perspective of "dogdom," survival, and spirit. Just watching him -his reactions, his demeanor, and his intuitiveness have revealed to me "parts" of a dog that I may never have known, nor began to understand. He has taught me! Just to watch him and consider....what his days have been like and how he endures and obviously persevered before coming to the shelter a year ago. For surely, the issues he came with when brought to the shelter, were created and supported elsewhere in his young life at that time. Only God and Teddy knows what his true experiences were before that "shelter drop-off day," and now only God and Teddy knows what he experiences in a day. But hopefully (if Teddy is not TOO smart) we'll rescue him and help him learn to live in peace.
I can only hope that his "study" of the kennel this morning brought thoughts of safety and good food. I have to believe, I want to believe...and I hope. As do all of you!
Please continue to pray for his safety AND for his rescue-thank you!
Geez... I forgot to let you know that he did eat this morning. He pulled the plate of food that was inside the door to "safety" and dined on the lawn just outside of his kennel. So tomorrow...the plate goes in further.
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