Friday, November 27, 2009

The Big Hunt

ROXY


Some of you will know that I own two fox terriers, one large kinda fat one and a younger miniature, both female and both feisty.
Tonight they were laying comatose on their bed in the laundry as usual when all of a sudden all hell broke loose. I was alerted by buckets and laundry bin flying around the room and all the din that created. Nala has always been lazy and the idea of actually attacking anything was left to the contents of the dinner bowl, but Roxy has always had a killer instinct. (yeah I know… don’t let your daughters name your dogs!)
I rushed as best I can and closed the door behind me, the object of their interest was hiding behind the mop bucket. I caught a glimpse of the mighty beast…a grey house mouse.
I gee’d them up with tender words of encouragement like ‘GET THE FU**ING THING’… I don’t know quite how, but it’s clear that Fox Terriers understand swear words… and clearly understood my intent.
Suitably stirred up I moved the mop bucket and they raced in after their quarry which ran straight over Roxy’s head, down her back and seemingly away scot free.
I held no great hopes for Narla, she grabbed a mouse once and couldn’t spit it out quickly enough… the fur was like…Oooo yuk! (it got away) But this time she was up to the task and grabbed the suicidal beast.
I say suicidal because… really, here’s a small room with two bored hunting dogs in it…and nowhere to hide. This mouse either was sick of life or had delusions of grandeur. Either way the end was swift, followed by her usual Oooo yuk! dummy spit, where upon Roxy did her usual thing by grabbing it and running off into the house to prevent me giving it a decent burial.
I'm thinking it would be easier to get on my hands and knees and catch it myself than getting it off Roxy, one day she might actually bite me I think. Feisty little bugger! I hate playing tug of war with mice...you’re never quite sure how it might end.
But today was actually a milestone, they’ve learned to hunt as a pack and made a combined kill. Pity any fool mouse that comes their way in the future.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

yes, I photoshopped her face to look that way.
Tempo

mandy said...

Little dogs never cease to amaze me...I too have small dogs and we get dirty great big or is that huge rats in the backyard....Lovingly they have to bring their prize catch up to the back verandah for me to see and dispose of....ewww....lol....

Tempo said...

Yep, mine to Mandy. Once or twice I've missed seeing them until they get that 'Oh so nice' smell... Worse is when they find something long dead to roll in...

Pearl said...

I have two cats about whom this story could've been told, up to and including the understanding of swear words and the dubious results of Mouse Tug O'War. :-)

Pearl

Tempo said...

Hi Pearl, welcome aboard. I'm sure pets make us better people, as well as providing many laughs.

Elyssa said...

Animals bring so much to life! How come you're so elusive on facebook? How come Mandy is the only one benefitting from your presence???

Tempo said...

Hi Lyss, it's good to hear from you, I've got links up on FB but others are just not commenting I'm guessing. It's good to get feedback...even bad feedback is still feedback.

Joanna Cake said...

I grew up with a wire haired fox terrier and I dont ever recall her looking as cute as Roxy. Is this a different breed?

Tempo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tempo said...

Hi Joanna, These are called smooth coated. As far as I know that's the only difference, same temperament same feisty attitude, just short haired. The short hair suits our hot climate better, (Australia) Roxy's got those 'wouldn't hurt a fly' eyes but she's a killer. (hard to believe as that is)