The Week

This week has been long and eventful. Last Thursday morning I was happily cleaning Prissy's stall before the sun came up. The dogs were playing in the back yard. I heard an unfamiliar bark coming from my own dog, Gretchen. She is a very affectionate, submissive animal but what came out of her mouth was anything but. I look up to see a figure standing between the barn and the house. In a moment I realize it is a coyote. I am not one to be worried by a few wild animals. I raised the pitchfork I was holding and hollered in my toughest voice "Go on. Get out of here". It didn't move, didn't even look distressed. I walked out of the stall toward the house. Still hadn't budged. At this point, I think rabies. I grab a gun but by now it has moved a few steps over and Diesel is directly behind it. I took a shot well clear of the horse and the coyote to scare it off. It disappears into the pasture, hidden by the tall grass I've been unable to mow all year.

Later that evening I find Diesel pestering Priss over the top of her pen. It continues overnight. I didn't get much sleep and was almost ready to give Diesel to the cowboy across the street who loves the idea of a big horse to rope off of. I know the fun would wear off and he would not be loved enough. The solution: cross fence the pasture and remove Diesel and Bec from the barn area. Friday evening was spent putting up fence. Now my two sound horses have no shelter. Good thing the weather is mild here. They rewarded me by rolling in the mud.

Saturday was spent visiting family and selling my soul for a few bales of stemmy hay. Before I can get it unloaded I look up to see at least 3 coyotes at the fenceline. I call the neighbor but he is out of town and instructed me to "get out there and shoot them before it gets any darker". Ok. I can do this. I'm alone and I have to walk out to a pack of coyotes with the sun sinking fast. Needless to say, I severely wounded the one that did not run off. Is it the one from the other morning? Who knows? I feel very bad that it was able to crawl off. It immediately headed for the herd of cows after being shot. I lost sight of it. Sneaky creatures. I've heard the packs howling day and night for days with a few yips during the day. This is too many. They have threatened me. I take it personal.

Sunday I walked out to find a body or evidence. I found nothing but a healthy coyote saw me from a huge distance and ran away. I watched it dogtrot to the treeline. I found its hiding place, though. It was bedded down in a brush pile that I've been unable to burn because of rain and wind. In the evening, I got a friend to assist in a stakeout. For the first time all week we heard and saw nothing. I hope my presence has moved them out. My cats are tired of being locked in the house.

As for Priss, she is now taking a walk to the mailbox twice a day. She is still spending most of her time lying down. I hope the sunshine and blue skies lift her spirits so that she can continue to recover. It is slow going. I cherish every moment I have with her. My life is blessed.