The Circle of Life

I am sad to report that Junior the Groundhog died Wednesday morning.

This is what happened:

Lady, without thinking about Junior, took the pups out to play on Wednesday morning. She had Lee on her tie out (meaning she wasn't attached to anything) let her have some free time and the ball for Phod. It was only the second day since Phod cut his foot that he has been able to play ball.

Lady opened the front door.

In the time it took Lady to walk down the step and take the 20 steps around the house, Hailey had caught and killed Junior. Junior didn't make a sound, so she did it quickly.

Lady then took Zaphod back into the house and told Man.

Lady was able to get Lee to drop it by the time Man came up. When Man went over she picked it up again but dropped it.

Lady took Lee into the house while Man took Junior to his final resting place.

The Man was very upset at Lady for not having Lee on leash and Lee for hunting.

I, the Lady, see it as the circle of life. It is unfortunate and if I could go back, I would put her on leash. Although given her strength and determination this may not have helped and I think she would have eventually caught him (the incident with the Man as well as him right up by the patio door repeatedly suggest to me that he was going to meet an untimely end).

Fast forward a few hours and imagine Man's surprise when he got home from work and Hailey was freaking out because there was another little Groundhog teasing her through the window. We have named this one Lazarus. Let's see how long he lasts (to help I will always take Hailey out on leash!).

Lazarus - teasing the dogs