Posted on 08/08/2006 9:02:34 AM PDT by cstorm
I'm a native Floridian that never thought she would fear wildlife. I learned to water ski in Lake Kissimmee with alligators; stepped on Water Mocassins, you name it I was raised in the country. But yesterday morning, changed my life. For those of you that have never had an experience with wild animals; here is a true story. I was up at 5:15 a.m. My husband and I have 2 yorkies, well known for being ratters. The female isn't responsive to being a ratter, but the 13 year old male can snap a rabbits neck in a second and there be no sign of capture. He will just sit next to it and say, did I do good?
The outside lights were not working and as I always do, I put their runs on and opened the door. Buster saw the raccoon before I did and went straight for it. Their teeth are extremely sharp, like a cat. The raccoon snapped his leash, picked him up and threw him into the corner of our front door. I was trying hard to get my female in and all I could hear was my Buster screaming. I had gotten Billie in, but when I went out the raccoon was on top of Buster; I had no choice; I kicked the coon into the yard and grabbed Buster.
We were very fortunate. I was not bitten, the coon is not rabid, Buster was in severe shock and is going to lose most of his teeth this Thursday because he was bitten many time in his mouth. But we're both ok.
My point is this; don't misjudge nature. It's so easy to to get caught up in the beauty of it and let your nerve down. We live backed up to one of Florida's most natural wildlife sanctuaries. When there is a misplaced animal, such as recently a bobcat, the wildlife preserve leaves them here. We also travel to other countries, where for example in Costa Rica, you can hold the raccoons. They sleep in your arms and eat from your hands; but wildlife is not like that everywhere.
I am very fortunate that Buster did not have to be quarantined, otherwise I would have put him down at his ripe old age. My animals are so very important to me. I love them with all of my heart, but my message to all of you is be cautious; you never know when something like this might happen to you.
I say remove the rabbits (food source) and the fox... I'm seeing the same problem in my Farm neighborhood.
Yes, you have it right. I've been putting heavy concrete interlocking bricks around the perimeter of my fence so the rabbits will have a very hard time getting into the yard. The foxes will, too (although they can easily climb fences if they have a reason to do so).
I've been searching websites for fox repellent, and they don't make such a thing. However, I did find repellent for raccoons, skunks, rabbits, etc.
Personally, I'm toying with the idea of buying a crossbow. Like you, my experience with the fox attacking my dog changed my life.
But did the raccoons attack disproportionately? :P
UN observers are obviously needed!
They'll broker a deal... sometime!
No! Its gotta be true because its an official Reuters Photo!
We had quite a few running around our other home and usually they were pretty mellow, but when the female had babies, she would growl at just the sight of me.
HA! Well, you were screamin "Get this thing offa me!" LOL
I don't mind wildlife either... I saw a fox here many years ago, they aren't as common as coyotes in this area.
If we didn't have coyotes, we'd have more rats, mice and rabbits. Foxes serve the same function, we just have to try to protect our own and not expect the world to be free of such risks. I don't think they are cute little pets we should never defend against, but I wouldn't want to live where there was no wildlife left either... everything in balance :~)
LOL! great pic.
Yikes! Possums have a mouth full of sharp nasty teeth! My dogs used to chase them when we lived near Dallas, and one time they cornered one. I was there and made them stop, but that darned thing looked like a tasmanian devil with all those teeth!
susie
Poor baby...Glad he will recover..
I didn't see anything but its very large back, since its front was wrapped around Salty's head. It was huge and furry and scary!
Hawks as well. The ex and I used to have a field right next to our house where a pair of hawks would hunt on a twice daily basis. As soon as we saw them, we would get our Yorkies inside pronto.
Well, here you go!
http://bruscotoons.andromedafree.it/australia/opossum-teeth.jpg
susie
"HA! Well, you were screamin..."
You got that part dead on! :)
Yorkies are notorious for barking checks their bites can't cash.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
