Written on November 4, 2009 – 6:00 am | by maxine |

 

We – meaning we eight members of the livestock family here – were having a discussion the other day.  We overheard our human care givers talking about yet another report in the news about a small dog who had been carried off by a coyote.  All kinds of cats and dogs have gone missing and their care givers are sounding just devastated about it.  To be honest, this is one of those DAAH! situations.

Ya, we can understand the frustration of farmers who have had a terrible time this year with sheep and goats being carried off by coyotes.  Oh, in case you don’t know, a coyote is like a wild dog and they run in packs.  Farmers have fought with them for centuries!Apparently there has been an explosion in the population of coyotes this year and they are getting hungry and bold and are even wandering into towns and carrying off small pets. 

How many times do people have to be told – keep your cats in the house – always!!  None of us felines want to be the next meal for a coyote, owl, hawk, wolf,  or hey – even an alligator or crocodile – depending on where you live!  What don’t you get about – keep your cats in the house – always?!!  The only time your cat should be outside is on a leash by your side.  They will be safer and healthier and live MUCH longer.

Coby is a little ten pound dog and is way smaller than Chester, who is about 18 pounds of big, fluffy cat.  Coby even looks smaller than Smokey, although Smokey weighs about the same as Coby.  Basically, he is a bite-sized meal for a coyote and even looks like a baby lamb, which coyotes particularly enjoy.  So, why would anyone who uses their brains let a little meal on four legs go out to face a pack of coyotes and expect anything but a tragedy?  Just last winter Mrs. Noah told us about a little tiny poodle she knew named Ginger, smaller than Coby, who was let out the back door late at night, even though his people heard coyotes in the area, and he never was found.  How sad.

We have a fenced in yard and when Coby and Sandi are let out at night in the dark, someone checks the area first and then keeps an eye on them until they come back in.  Even in the day time someone checks on them frequently when they are outside.  Sandi gets chained up at night so she can’t wander in the big back yard.  Coby never goes far from the door at night ‘cause he is afraid of the dark so he doesn’t get tied up.  Some people even let little dogs like Coby use a litter box.

Yes, accidents can happen and they can end in tragedy.  But near as we can tell, most of the reports in the newspapers and on the news are about people who seem to be genuinely surprised that a wild animal (coyote, wolf, hawk, etc.) had the nerve to come into their community and carry away their precious pet.  You’ve got to be kidding.  What WERE they thinking?  Were they thinking at all?

And ya, we have heard all about the views of people who think cats and dogs have the RIGHT to roam freely outside.  Well, with those RIGHTS come DANGERS and from our perspective, we would much rather be SAFE!

Anyways, take it from us – if you don’t want to lose your little pet – or even your big pet – use your head and take precautions to keep them safe.

From the biggest to smallest, safe and sound, Livestock Eight –

Sandi, Chester, Smokey, Coby, Gracie, Pebbles, Buzz, Princess