Thursday, April 21, 2011

Dead things my dog brings home

Images from our hike today:






And here's our lake during the snowstorm and after





As you can see - the lake is half open!  Guesses for the ice-out contest are now closed. I'll be posting the exact date and time soon I think - and the winner!




Dead things


Today on our hike, my dog found a half a rabbit. The bottom half. This led me to ponder the events that would have taken place for a half a rabbit to be left in the bush. Tragic and dramatic stories tossed around in my head until I could write them down when I got back. Inspiration for writing is all around me.

A half a rabbit isn't the only thing my dog has found lately. This winter she was obsessed with a chickadee that had unfortunately broken its neck on our window. Tanzer sat with it in the snow - even brought it on our walks for three days.

I'm never surprised to see her trotting out of the bush, head held high, with a deer leg danging from her mouth. We live in the middle of a winter deer yard, and where there are deer, there are wolves.

Dead frogs, dead ruffed grouse, stinky dead things I didn't even recognize.

What has your dog brought home lately?

17 comments:

Golden Eagle said...

I love all the pictures!

Oh dear. Having your dog carry home dead things doesn't sound pleasant. :P

Jess said...

I love the pictures too. I think the worst that our dog ever brought home was a road-killed squirrel he'd torn off the payment. He was so proud, wagging his tail and flaunting the fact that he'd brought home a treat, but my mother didn't appreciate it too much :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cool photos! And animals are so proud of their 'catches.'

Natalie Aguirre said...

Darn, I think I lost the contest. I don't have a dog yet. My cat used to bring me dead mice.

Love the pictures, but I'm ready for warm weather, green grass, and flowers.

Jemi Fraser said...

Yikes! I guess you never know what you'll see!

Great photos!

Susan Fields said...

I saw the title of this post and I had to come see. My dog bring homes dead baby bunnies she finds in our yard. Unfortunately, I don't think they're dead when she finds them. :(

SharePoint Intranet said...

Your dog needs some bashing i guess for doing so :D

Unknown said...

Our dog never brought gunk home. She preferred to leave it where it was and roll in it. lol

Anonymous said...

I love the title of this post. How could I not read it? It makes me ponder the question myself: why DO dogs like dead things? Perhaps this is one we'll never fully understand.

Jaye Robin Brown said...

My dogs love to break into the compost bin and roll in it. During hunting season they bring home deer legs from where hunters dress in the fields...ugh. The worst was a cow hoof. Not sure where it came from. Your post title made me jump over here!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

I had a dog who loved to roll in dead things. I can't understand how that smells good. But it was a cat who brought me mangled gifts--gopher, rat, bird, lizard. Sigh.
Your snow lasts sooooo long. I'm glad you love it!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Lovely pictures--and I was feeling bad because it tried to snow when I was in Park City.

Anonymous said...

The area looks frigid, but so beautiful.

I have indoor cats and they go after lizards and insects. I couldn't handle anything bigger.

Anonymous said...

The pictures are so good, thanks for posting. I don't have a dog, just a cat. Baby garden snakes and feathers come home with him :)

Jo Schaffer said...

I don't have a dog... but my cat leaves dead mice or birds on the porch sometimes.
(= Offerings.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

My cats kill things and give them to one of my 5 dogs. I'm not sure how she rates all the love tokens, but she does.

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

I've had dogs that have brought home deer parts. And I once had a cat that brought home a snake--that was sort of impressive, to be honest. Now, our old doggie has retired from bringing home treats. Everyone is grateful. ; )