For those of us who have owned a really big dog, we know there is no animal that can give more love but we also know that when they have a moment of mischief, it is usually significant. And in the case of our two Great Pyrenees, outdoor dogs all the way, they sometimes get into trouble during their all night property guard shift if things are just too quiet for them. The latest evidence came just before Christmas.
Christmas Eve morning I was getting ready to go out and run a few final errands before the big day. As I walked to the truck, it was unseasonably warm and it didn't feel like Christmas but, then again, I know that the weather we have has nothing to do with that wonderful day so many years ago. Now normally I would just jump in the truck, back up and then drive forward through the gate and down the lane on my way to town, but on that day a little voice told me NO. It seems I needed to walk behind the truck and check things out first.
Normally Val and Sal come to greet me and follow me to the gate, but there was no sign of them when I came out. I would soon find out the reason.
I sat thinking about both my inner thoughts and the two dogs for a moment and the feeling was so strong to check behind the truck that I listened. Boy, is it a good thing that I did because there scattered on the ground behind the truck were the contents of a cardboard box of nails. They were everywhere and I knew exactly who did it. Val and Sal were nosing around in the barn and uncovered this little treasure, and try as I might to "dog proof" the barn, it is impossible. When you have two big dogs, one tipping the scales at around two hundred pounds and the other a slim one sixty, they can usually figure out how to overcome any obstacle. After all the nails were on the top shelf which is at my eye level.
I counted to ten, then took a deep breath and grabbed a bucket and my ground magnet and went to work. About ten minutes later the damage was undone and I just had to sit down and laugh for a moment. Yes, there are a few minor problems with their behavior, but these two behemoths are both very gentle and loving with us, but that countenance changes when they sense trouble from the outside. So I know that my wife and I and all of our extended animal family are safe on these grounds with Val and Sal at attention. Since getting these half-brothers, we can even let our chickens free range with nary a worry about coyotes. But please, boys, please, keep your noses out of the shelving in the barn, will you?
Dogs, what a wonderful gift from God. In time of need, they are our guardian angels.
Christmas Eve morning I was getting ready to go out and run a few final errands before the big day. As I walked to the truck, it was unseasonably warm and it didn't feel like Christmas but, then again, I know that the weather we have has nothing to do with that wonderful day so many years ago. Now normally I would just jump in the truck, back up and then drive forward through the gate and down the lane on my way to town, but on that day a little voice told me NO. It seems I needed to walk behind the truck and check things out first.
Normally Val and Sal come to greet me and follow me to the gate, but there was no sign of them when I came out. I would soon find out the reason.
I sat thinking about both my inner thoughts and the two dogs for a moment and the feeling was so strong to check behind the truck that I listened. Boy, is it a good thing that I did because there scattered on the ground behind the truck were the contents of a cardboard box of nails. They were everywhere and I knew exactly who did it. Val and Sal were nosing around in the barn and uncovered this little treasure, and try as I might to "dog proof" the barn, it is impossible. When you have two big dogs, one tipping the scales at around two hundred pounds and the other a slim one sixty, they can usually figure out how to overcome any obstacle. After all the nails were on the top shelf which is at my eye level.
I counted to ten, then took a deep breath and grabbed a bucket and my ground magnet and went to work. About ten minutes later the damage was undone and I just had to sit down and laugh for a moment. Yes, there are a few minor problems with their behavior, but these two behemoths are both very gentle and loving with us, but that countenance changes when they sense trouble from the outside. So I know that my wife and I and all of our extended animal family are safe on these grounds with Val and Sal at attention. Since getting these half-brothers, we can even let our chickens free range with nary a worry about coyotes. But please, boys, please, keep your noses out of the shelving in the barn, will you?
Dogs, what a wonderful gift from God. In time of need, they are our guardian angels.
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