Living the Dream

It is an ill wind that does not blow somebody some good.

Ramblin-Randy (not his real name) was one of the neighbor's dogs and he is no longer with us. I have no details other than that the dog is no longer in the neighborhood.

The end result is that I can now walk around my property with Zeus, our aging German Shepherd. 

Ramblin' had a firm disregard for property lines and his owners didn't bother to control him or couldn't control him. They had the odd belief that it was sufficient to clip a leash to his collar but they didn't hold the other end (you can't make this stuff up).

Ramblin' was also notorious for not coming when called by the owner. He went walk-about when he was called. Basically turning away from his owner and high-tailing it.

My nightmare scenario was Ramblin'-Randy coming onto our property and tearing into Zeus and then Zeus chased him back to his owner. Zeus would look like the aggressor and ill feelings would be generated. Zeus would likely be hurt. Damages would be charged if it appeared that Zeus hurt the neighbor's dog on the neighbor's property.

This almost happened. I had a leash with me when I saw Ramblin' heading our way. I got Zeus on the leash before they started fighting. I was able to separate them. I tied Zeus'  leash to a tree. Then I grabbed Ramblin's leash and walked him the quarter-mile back to his owner who seemed oblivious that Ramblin' had left their property.

I avoided future conflict by keeping Zeus in his kennel. It sucked for Zeus. He struggles to get into the truck so the only walks he got were in the road which is no life for a dog who likes to sniff around.

Free at last

But Ramlin-Randy rambles no more, at least not in our neighborhood.

Zeus has gone out-back with me while I trim trees these last few days. The battery on the pole saw lasts about 20 minutes in the 20 degree cold.

Zeus sniffs around. He sniffs down animal holes and around trees. He pees copiously on everything in his domain. He saunters about in a leisurely jog. 20 minutes in the woods is plenty to make Zeus happy.

Dogs don't hold grudges, for which I am thankful.