Monday, May 17, 2021

VISITORS

I have had two visitors this past week. A dramatic increase considering the past year. 

Callie and I have a set in stone morning routine.  Second thing I do after I wake up (come on, first is empty my bladder) is to let her outside for her morning toilet while I prepare her breakfast.  Her breakfast takes about one minute, then I let her back in to eat. She gets her toilet done really quickly. 

This particular morning when I let her out, she shot off the porch in full speed. There was no barking so I thought, rabbit. A little exercise before breakfast never hurts.

Normally she is waiting at the door anxious to be let back in after a minute or so but not that day.  She was nowhere in sight.  I slammed the door which usually works but no dog. Now I was beginning to get worried hoping she wasn't in mortal combat with some wild creature more fearsome than a rabbit.

I heard her snuffling at the back of the property and saw something large and brown, nose to nose with her. This was no bunny.  Luckily the offer of a cookie brought her scampering back.

Hesitantly after breakfast, I let her out again hoping whatever it was had figured out how to get out of my fenced yard.  Again she flew to the back of the property and I knew I had to do something.  I picked up my walking stick--the same one I threatened a 5 week old kitten with a few weeks ago-- and hoped for the best. 

                        Not my picture. Compliments of AKC but looks just like him.

There, cowering in the back of the property under some bushes was a beautiful, about 80 pound, purebred German Shepherd. Again by promising cookies, I got Callie back to the house. The huge dog was no threat and was actually quite frightened. 

I wasn't brave enough to confront a strange dog hiding in the bushes so I called my neighbor who said she had seen a lost dog notice on Facebook.  Seems my backyard neighbor was the father of the owner. He is our county judge so I called him at work and he came right out to claim the dog.  Phew. 

I learned he had been in training as a police dog but had flunked out. As beautiful a dog as he was, he did lack courage as my 27 pound dog had him thoroughly cowed.  

I was thinking of you all again and speculating that perhaps you might be more open to a dog "give away" than you had been with the kitten.  We all got lucky. He is now back home where he belongs though no one knows how he ended up in my yard. 

Then yesterday I was lying in my hammock just enjoying a perfect day when movement caught my eye. Without my glasses I thought it might be a giant wasp scoping me out for an attack. I reached for my flyswatter but am glad I didn't use it for not 2 feet away from my face was my first Hummingbird of the season.  He was scolding me with chirpy bird obscenities letting me know it was past time to make nectar and put it out.

He must have been the scout sent ahead to scare up food. My goodness--all ready? Actually he is a bit late. Wonder if the pandemic messed up their schedule too. This visitor was easier to satisfy than the huge dog. 

Curious though, would the Shepherd have been an easier "give away" through my blog had I not found his owner?  Keeping my options open in case I get more visitors.

49 comments :

  1. What a fabulous post! Glad Mr ex-police dog got home safe. I've never seen a hummingbird in my life as they're not native to the UK. Keep meaning to thank you so much for ordering my book. I really hope you enjoy it. Much love from merry old England!

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    1. This was from Around My Kitchen Table www.aroundmykitchentable.co.uk (and Toffee Keenor-Leach!). I don't know why Louise Mitchell came up - that's just a freelance name of mine and doesn't normally appear!

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    2. Louise,
      Yep, I knew it was you for yours is the only book I have bought in a long time. It is on top of my to be read list. Lately some of my library holds came available after a long time and I have to finish them first. Working on Follett's 926 page tome. Looking forward to yours.

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  2. What a sweet funny read--I sure am glad you found the owner to that gentle giant and Callie wasn't hurt! That scolding hummingbird gave me a chuckle too but it sounded so much like my mom for a minute I almost teared up a little. She had a large feeder hanging off her porch too and during the summer they put on quite the show. Thanks for today's blog Patti, this was great. PS. Enjoyed Louise's comment here too, wow! No hummingbirds in England, who knew? :^)

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    1. Doug,
      Me too on Callie for that dog could have had her as a snack.
      I do enjoy the Hummers for all their antics and bad table manners. They are like watching a show. That surprised me about no Hummers in England also.

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  3. re: easier to give away - Damn right it would!! 🐕
    We just put our hummingbird feeder out and I can't wait for the birds to return.

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    1. Margaret,
      I'll remember that if any more giant dogs crash my yard:)
      My hummers usually let me know. They buzz my kitchen window or like the other day, just get in my face and chatter. Hope you see yours soon.

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  4. I almost shot a stray dog that endangered my chickens. After some phone calls around the area, I found out this was a Champion, award winning bird dog that had gotten lost. He was an old dog and looked bad. Turns out he had cancer and had escaped from his pen. No, I would only have shot him if he attacked me or my birds. Glad you found a home for the visiting German Shepard.

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    1. Annie,
      Know how you feel about a dog raiding your livestock. That is the one time I am accepting of taking drastic measures. Glad you found where the old fellow belonged.

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  5. What great stories, Patti! How funny that Callie frightened a big German Shepherd. Now I'm wondering why the shepherd was such a little scaredy cat. I hope its home is a good place for him. I guess if it's not I'll have to come and get him. LOL! Sweet hummingbird story.

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    1. robin,
      I know to be such a big, fierce looking dog he really was a weenie. I was told he had never roamed away from home before.
      I'll Keep you in mind if I get another:))

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  6. That was certainly high drama for your brave little Callie! Sounds like the Shepard had not bonded with his owner. (Sigh) Three days ago my first Ruby-Throated hummer showed up here, Patti. Now there are at least one female and one male. Always marvel at their miniature, fairy-like little bodies that are capable of migrating so far! They are usually here in the North by Mother's Day.

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    1. Florence,
      I guess he had been with them for a year and they loved him. They had no idea why he wandered off. I'm thinking something scared him.
      Aren't hummers amazing? So tiny yet fly so far. They sure are fun to watch and cheap entertainment.

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  7. What a sweet post, filled with lots of love for the animals who come into our sphere. I'm glad the shepherd had a home, and that the hummer was able to alert you to his presence. What fun!

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    1. Djan,
      As skittish as the dog was, those hummers are totally aggressive. Pretty sure if I hadn't gone in to make some nectar, he wouldn't have let me along. I love to watch the cranky little birds.

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  8. All dogs terrify me so it would have been me cowering in the corner.

    I thought you were going to tell us about human visits. I think I preferred your stories!

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    1. Joey,
      Human visits would have been nice but I enjoyed the furry and feathered ones nearly as much. They made me smile.

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  9. Boy, you get the best adventures.

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    1. Mage
      And the cool thing is the I don't have to go anywhere. They come to me.

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  10. No dogs allowed here, even beautiful German Shepherds. My two cats would have conniptions and my yard is too small for the dog to get its exercise. I'm happy to hear he was simply lost and found the perfect place to be rescued.

    Lucky you to see the hummingbird!

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  11. Eileen,
    I just Googled to see if you get hummingbirds since Louise said they didn't have them in England. Lucky you, you do. I imagine they hit you later in the season.

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  12. I just lost my comment. Hafta start anew.

    Now I know where our Hummers went. As for dogs...40 years ago, I'd jump at the chance for a G. Shepard. Now, at my age...cats. Easier to care for.

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    1. Anni,
      Yep, I got your hummers. And yes, cats are very low maintenance.

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  13. So glad you found the owner quickly!
    I hope you got the nectar out for the hummers--LOL!

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    1. Rita,
      Me too. I was wondering what to do with him.
      As for the hummer, they really don't give us much choice. They are demanding little cuties.

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  14. Gee... I like the idea of a gentle German shepherd. We now know what a brave companion Callie is. I do love the idea of those teeny hummingbirds. What fun! We have small finches, but hummingbirds seem like more fun.

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    1. Kay,
      Callie's bravery lacks good sense. I have seen her chase off my neighbor's two pit bulls. Of course there is that fence between them.
      Hummers really are entertaining. They are pushy, cranky, and ill mannered but put on good shows plus are darn cute.

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  15. Yes, I remember the hummingbirds practically knocking on the door if the feeders were not up on the deck by May 15.

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    1. Olga,
      Ha ha you are not far off with the door knocking. I have had them doing flybys at my kitchen window till I put out the feeders.

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  16. I'm glad the dog was rescued. I makes me sad to think of him lost and afraid, even if he was big.
    Hummers, now, tough little guys. We have a couple year round.

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    1. Linda,
      Yes he is a very timid dog and I was sad about his fears.
      Now if he had the moxie of a hummer, life would go better for him. Lucky you having them year round.

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  17. I'm in the wrong country to accept your 'giveaways', but if I had the yard space needed I would take a shepherd. Those are the dogs I grew up with.

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    1. River,
      They really are splendid looking animals. I have had two before and they are wonderful pets.

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  18. German Shepherds make great family pets and ones that have dropped out of training are even better. They have both heart and do as they are told.

    What a way to meet your backyard neighbor! But scary that our furry friends can get lost so quickly.

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    1. Jean,
      I know if Callie hadn't let me know he was there, wonder how long he would have remained hidden. He was scared.

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  19. I love German Shepherds. We had one growing up. My roommate in my 20s had one. My brother is on his second one and my sister used to have 2 of them. Unfortunately they seem to have health issues around the age of 7 which is pretty young.

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    1. Sue,
      Sadly the larger the dog the shorter the lifespan. Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia.

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  20. My neighbor has a huge German Shephard that he lets out in his yard without a leash. It scared David when he was getting out of his car when it was parked on the street. The owner had to come and get him.

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    1. gigi,
      They can be intimidating by their size and reputation as police dogs. Sorry David had to deal with that.

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  21. Nice looking German shepherd. Our mixed breed had some shepherd in her ... she was kind of okay looking.

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    1. Tom,
      He was a handsome brute. I have had two in my lifetime and neither looked as good as he did.

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  22. I love German shepherds but are cautious around them. I'm so glad that this post has a happy ending!

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    1. Margaret,
      Shepherds, rottweilers and dobermans have to prove to me they are friendly. Most other dogs I assume are.

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  23. I never met a dog I couldn't make friends with, but then I do use judgement and care encountering a new dog, not assuming they will be friendly. I would not be amenable to adopting a pet of any kind now as taking care of myself is a full time job as much as I would love a dog. Besides, one would probably outlive me now, then what for the dog? As for getting an older dog -- really? They likely would have aging medical problems of their own adding to my expenses and their need for medical trips to the vet, etc.

    Hummingbirds staying in the wild are fine. Have depended on natural flowers, i.e. my Bird of Paradise outside my living room window to provide these darling birds nectar in recent years. Also, have other perennial blooms about the back and front yards.

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    1. Reflecting on what I wrote, i realize now that I’m guilty of dog agism!

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    2. Joared,
      I know older dogs have problems healthy wise but I wish I had gone that way when I got Callie. She will undoubtedly out live me and that never ends well.
      As for doggy agism, you are forgiven. Callie said so.

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  24. I'll bet the owner was thrilled to get your call. I have no input about dogs but I certainly know about Hummingbirds. They are feisty little birds and every time I would sit out on my deck to read they would let me know that it didn't suit them. They would literally bombard me ... zipping between my book and me ... obviously letting me know that they didn't appreciate my presence !! They had completely taken over MY spot and let me know it in spades!

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    1. Ginnie,
      Yes they were thrilled and for now the dog will be secured on the porch. They had no idea either how it ended up in my yard.
      And yes, Hummers are really demanding and aggressive birds and have no idea how tiny they are. They want those feeders out NOW.

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  25. Glad the Owner could be located. I just hate when a stray shows up becoz I'm such a Sucker and they usually end up Adopting us. Our last Fur Baby went over the Rainbow last November and we decided no more, it was a tough decision since we've always had Cats and she was the last of them. Every Cat Adopted us... so I'm just keeping all Body Parts crossed that no Cat is looking for a Family to Adopt?! We had a Hummer Raise her Two Babies this Season on our Back Patio, we have a lot of the plants they Love so I don't have to feed them with supplemental Bird Juice or whatever it is they eat? But I do put Seed out for the other Wild Birds so I can watch them thru our Window, now that we don't have a Working Cat on the Farm.

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