On guard

Lots of barking and howling last night, it is the time of year that we hear a lot of coyotes running up and down the creek bed. There are a lot of deer carcasses left behind by hunters and the coyotes are teaching their pups how to survive. Shenandoah and Virginia are staying with the sheep and goats and are already barking when they see or hear another dog. At this small size and age they could easily fall prey themselves, but in the next few months they will grow into a big and loud deterrent. Livestock guardian dogs are mostly all bark and their big size is intimidating to other animals. Not many dogs or coyotes will challenge two working guard dogs on the opposite side of the fence. After patrolling the pasture and playing and digging they can be found in their pen sleeping soundly and safely.