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| Lee and Phod sniffing in our yard |
It was 5 am, and the sun wasn't full up and the sky was as hazy as my brain (I have been up for about 10 minutes). We were walking down our private road, heading out for our morning walk.
I spotted (and so do Lee and Phod) 2 baby groundhogs in the grass about 30 feet ahead.
Lee went crazy, barking, screaming, jumping around. Phod was just intent and focused in his quiet way.
The groundhogs didn't move, they kept eating.
Slowly, with control, we move forward, hoping to scare them into hiding.
Lee became more agitated and loud but I was strong enough to keep control.
Finally, when we were like 8-10 feet away, one of the little ones turned and scampers toward a tree. It started to climb. It fell and started to climb again. The other also scampered towards the tree and climbed it.
When the climbing started I realized we weren't dealing with groundhogs. Groundhogs don't climb trees. What we were dealing with was 2 baby porcupines. We never say the mom.
I truly believe if I hadn't been as strong as I am now, the ending to this story would be at least one dead baby porcupine and at least 1 injured dog. Being strong saved a life!
For those who aren't familiar with these animals, I have attached pictures I found on the internet. You can see how in longish grass in dawn light from afar you could mistake the two.
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| A baby groundhog |
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| A baby porcupine |
glad you were strong enough to manage the situation!!! yay for you and for being a trooper... and a hug for the pawsonal trainer, he must be a good one ;o) we had this adventure wit ducks today... tzhey sat in the grass like petrified... result: a scratched leg, an upset dog and ducks poop on my pants... sigh...
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWell bravo... but I am totally amazed at the news that porcupines climb. My something new learned for today!!! YAM xx
Wow, well done Lady! You saved lots of pain and anguish wiv your Mr Trainer Man, all those HBO words shouted at him have been worth it!
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
OMP squeals with piggy excitement. A baby groundhog?? That is like the cutest thing ever - of course way behind ya'll and me.. snorts with piggy laughter. XOXO - Bacon
ReplyDeleteBoth are cute, but since Mom was likely close by, I wouldn't want to meet either!
ReplyDeleteOh my word! They are the cutest ever
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
I've never seen a porcupine! I imagine I'd probably have a mouthful of quills if I did.
ReplyDeleteNO WAY! We have seen groundhogs but never a porky-pine. That must have been an amazing sight.
ReplyDeletepuppy Growls,
Lucy
Well done!! Stay strong!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
He's a cute little bugger but we hear that porcupine quills are very painful and it takes hours to get them all out! Thank doG you didn't meet!
ReplyDeleteGlad you were strong! Well done you - nose licks and love from Moth xx
ReplyDeleteWe can give da mommas a real workout when we see wildlife too.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking perhaps Lady could send that personal trainer over to Gail to teach her how to stay upright...
ReplyDeleteToodle pip!
Bertie.
Holy prickly encounters, Batman! Kudos on having the strength to save both the baby and Lee from injury or worse. Canine-grats on your sessions with the personal trainer.
ReplyDeleteYou do need strength in those situations. You had us confused about the tree climbing..and groundhogs. How delightful to see baby porcupines, and be able to save them.
ReplyDeleteGo Lady!!!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jakey & Arty
Yes, one of several reasons I walk larger dogs with a pinch collar. Even Lexi had one, as she knew what it was and never pulled with it on. I am glad you had the strength to keep anyone, including yourself, from getting hurt or worse.
ReplyDeleteThose workouts paid off!
ReplyDeleteWe hope you never have an encounter like that again but we bet it will be a good motivating factor to keep up the work outs.
ReplyDeleteYou are Batman! Good job keeping the kids safe and keeping anything ugly from happening. Whew. That was a scary story, but I love a happy ending!
ReplyDeleteLove and licks,
Cupcake
Wow - baby porcupines! Bravo for staying in control!
ReplyDeletehugs
Hazel & Mabel
OMD, thank dogness for your strength. What a different ending this post could have had. Porcupine needles are so painful. Glad this all turned out OK.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning and Misty
OMD, yes! Thank DoG you gots a good core! I thinks Ma has a good core from me doin' just that! BOL!!! Okays, so I am not TWO doggies, butts sometimes Ma swears i am as strong as two! ☺ Anyhu, they are sooooo cute! I can totally see how you could confuse the two. I am glads your Moms is really strong, and you didn't gets any pricklies in your snooters
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
Oh my!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!! So glad your strength saved the day! I learned something new today too...never knew porcupines could climb trees.
ReplyDeleteWow! GOod thing you've been working out! This kinda thing makes me think we need to get a smaller dog when we're older....
ReplyDelete