Evil Comes In Fluffy
I knew when I got chickens that I would have to teach the dogs to remain calm even when those tasty chicken tenders on the hoof raced past. There would be no stopping a rottweiler on a feeding frenzy. And I have two behemoths.Iko has to be reminded from time to time, but Tank, as always, is the perfect gentleman. He can wander through a flock of hens and never take notice of them.
The chickens don't panic when they see him, having been used to seeing that giant head bend over their brooder box since they were a day old.
At 130 and 86 pounds respectively, Tank and Iko are big, brawny, and to the average bystander, probably a bit intimidating. But they are good boys, the both of them.
Evil, I've discovered, comes in fluffy white fur and can fit inside a purse. Her name is Princess.
I was dog sitting this past week for Princess while her mom went to DC. I like having her visit. The boys enjoy her company and I think Princess likes hanging with her own species every once in a while.
Since the little dog is good off leash, I let her go with me when I went about feeding chickens and collecting eggs. I never allowed her to go inside the pen with me though because the chickens don't know her.
Princess decided she wanted to be introduced and slipped in when I wasn't looking. Before I knew it, she had chickens flying, and everybody was cackling in terror. Fluffy little Princess had turned into a marauding Hun, snapping at every plump rump in the vicinity of her tiny teeth.I tend to carry a camera with me whenever I go out because you never know when something interesting will happen, so I was lucky to catch some of the action. The chickens are bigger than Princess and I was more afraid for her than the hens.
I present to you my evidence o
f Evil Incarnate. Don't let the cute little face fool you. She's little, but she's mean.Bad Princess.
Somehow she managed to pluck the tail feathers off one of the roosters.
I've never seen a dog look so proud. I think she's grinning in that last picture.
Now she can go home and brag to the neighborhood dogs.
No chickens were harmed in the making of this blog post. They are, however, deeply embarrassed. How will they ever live this down? Terrorized by fifteen pounds of fluff.
Who has evil pets? I definitely want to know before you come over. LOL
Tell me your naughty dog story.
Photo 3: Those are tail feathers at her feet.
You can click on each picture to enlarge.
Comments
At my place, mean roosters get the pot.
Your comment just reminded me of a story I will post next week.
I had one rooster who was so mean, he transcended death.
She's got a lot of moxey.
I like moxey. LOL.
Many moons ago when I used to work for a vet, we routinely got little dogs who had been hurt by big dogs. The vet called it 'German Shepherd disease'.
Dogs don't understand size. A little dog can bully a big dog if he has the cohones.
Unfortunately, every once a while he comes across a big dog who isn't cowed, then things don't turn out so well for the little dog.
~Lia
My dogs (well, my mom's dogs now since they prefer the country to my apartment!) would sit by the electric fence line until their collars beeped but didn't shock them, and just wait there until the batteries ran down.
So sad that you can't keep them at your apartment, but I'm sure they're happier in the country. Sounds like they've got things well in paw. :)
Maria, you had me laughing with this anecdote and pics. Princess is gorgeous! Perhaps I'm being biased because she reminds me of Junior, our late Maltese. It's amazing you were able to capture the moment of evil occuring, LOL.
Thanks for sharing this!
P.S. my stories about Junior are endless, I could write a book about him.
She's a sweetheart though. And even though she's a big city girl, she makes herself at home in the country.
Harley...what can I say to describe this dog? First, if you've never seen a boston terrier, they have really big googly eyes and a face that's a bit scrunched and their tiny and muscular. Harley is good with the kids, but insane. You cannot correct him or punish him because he really doesn't care. YOu tell him no, he 'sasses' and if you try to take a toy from him (meaning a Barbie or a Polly Pocket) he runs or he goes at you barking and protecting his treasure. He's house trained, but when he's mad at us, he finds a closet and promptly poops in it or pees on the Barbie Dream House or the Barbie Jet. No, I don't understand why he chose those things, but he did.
He scares visitors, but honestly has never harmed a fly. He's scared of flies.
Maybe he thinks he's supposed to eat them. :)
At least your Maltese is sweet.
"Bad, Princess" <--it's so hard to be convincing when you're laughing.
The thing about Boston terriers is that they're so smart. And very loyal.
Are you ever worried Harley plots for world domination?
Her 'mother' was horrified when I sent her the pictures--but she couldn't stop laughing either.
Growing up my Mom raised chickens at our house in South Texas, free-range chickens mind you not in a coop of any kind. Every time we would go outside it seemed that either one of the neighbors dogs, cats or a neighborhood owl or hawk would have chicken for a meal.
Our biggest problem turned out to be my Mother's little 13-14 pound Weiner Dog or Daschund if you want me to be politically correct. HE WAS A KILLER of chickens!!! He did not care if they were Hens, Roosters, baby Chicks or what they were fair game to slaughter! So that is my "bad doggie" for you. Mom's ferocious little fiend makes Princess look very much like a "good doggie" in comparison...
jackie ^_^
BTW Mom never did learn not to let the dog near her chickens.....
Oh, boy, I know all about wiener dog reputation! I have several friends who have them. And you're right. Holy moley, can they terrorize.
I have one friend who regularly receives birds, rats, possums,and squirrels from her dog.
So, I understand your poor chickens and roosters. But I can't help but love him.
We had a Scottish Terrier when I was little who killed our kittens. Just picked them up and ... shook. We had three HUGE dogs who didn't hurt a fly, but the Scottie was lethal -- of course, he was just doing what he was bred for, but still... :-(
And what happens if whatever he 'catches' doesn't back down? That happened to a dog of mine who tangled with a giant cat. Joey was only 30 pounds, but she thought she was a Great Dane.
One day she got out and ran at a huge alley cat. I'm sure she expected the cat to run but he didn't.
Luckily for Joey, she had backup. Greg opened the gate and let our pack of Samoyeds out. The cat decided that was one dog too many. LOL.
But Tank would love you. He loves women and will gladly lay his giant head on your lap so he can be petted.
hmm...come to think of it. Greg does the same thing. :)
I'm sorry the poor boy is tiring out. Happens to all of us. But at least he knows his mommy loves him and will always take care of him. He's a lucky dog.
Too funny Maria. Glad you had the camera.
Princess is banned from the hen house.