a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Before Daylight...

I was awakened by the dogs, thank you, you worthless pack of mutts!!  I am sure they were after some critter but I did not check.  Coulda been skunks, armadillos or 'possums. They are really moving closer since it has been so dry.  I guess they are staying closer since they have discovered the eating is easier near the houses.

I so wished I had a camera the other morning.  The boys, a Jack/Rat and a Rat terrier, had an armadillo on the run, one on each side, yapping their brains out, snapping against the hard shell,  while the possum in armour kept on trotting his escape route.

The Borders approach these warm-blooded tanks a little differently...if you are sensitive to violence, stop reading now!  They work as a team, flip the armadillo, go for the soft underbelly and proceed to tear it apart.

You may think this cruel but farm life is cruel.  It is a battle...against the elements and animals who threaten the livelihood of domesticated animals and humans that have tamed this spot of earth for their own use. 

The reason armadillos are so unwanted is the danger they bring.  Danger, you ask??  They dig tunnels which can break the leg of any large mammal that is unlucky enough to step in.  They dig up plants, not on purpose, they are looking for grubs and bugs.  Armadillos also carry leprosy.

Sometimes farming isn't pretty and it's certainly not a job for the faint-hearted.  It is a way of life. You either love it or your hate it...there can be no in between.

9 comments:

ellen abbott said...

Yes, life in nature is not always pretty. but it is the whole experience of life.

LindaG said...

Wow. What a fancy new page layout. I thought something had gone wrong with the link for a moment, haha.

I think we've had armadillos around the retirement property. I was not aware of the leprosy link. Thanks for the information.

Country Gal said...

Yes, I remember how cruel farming can be. I remember when our spring lambs were killed by peoples dogs thinking it was a game, I could of understood if they were killed by a animal that was hungry but we could tell the difference cause they were not eaten just their back leg chewed on ! Also chipmunks killing our chicks and domestic cats from the area killing our baby bunnies, or having to find and get rid of ground hogs due to them creating holes in the pastures , it isnt pretty thats for sure but all the good things that come out of farming make up for it ! Love the new blog set up !

Tonia said...

So basically the Terriers are the warning and the Borders do the dirty work?
I LOVE your header pic.. This morning there were some awesome spider webs but I didnt have time to get the camera and get pics.. Maybe they will be there tomorrow morning...

Irene said...

Yes, I suppose country and farm life are not for the faint hearted. You can't be a wuss and live out on the farm and care too much about all of nature, I suppose. These are hard lessons to learn. I still would have a hard time with it, though. I suppose I would care too much about the armadillo, unreasonable as that may sound.

Rudee said...

Yes. This is the side that would make me squeamish, but hey, if I can preside over the death of a human, I guess I could tolerate the death of an armadillo. Right?

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

You bet it's not for the faint of heart. I killed one with a rake and a splittin' maul a few weeks ago.

Sometimes I shock people, I'm just that kinda of chick. (Shhhh, don't tell, well just let people think I'm prim and proper) Heeehehehe!

Have a beautiful blessed day!!!

Chickadee said...

I work outside studying birds and I can say I get a glimpse of the harsh realities of nature from time to time. When I check nest boxes it's not uncommon to come across a box that has been predated by a snake or raccoon or find the remnants of an adult bird that died fighting probably another bird who wanted the same nest box. Not to mention coming across small dead animals on my trek from box to box

Far Side of Fifty said...

sometime life is tough especially if you are an Armadillo..:)

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