Remember this song? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He82NBjJqf8&noredirect=1
For some time now we have had a dogs versus birds dilemma and this has been a source of contention between Ming and me. I have tended to lock the dogs in their yard and let the birds free range and Ming has wanted this arrangement reversed, so we have now come to a compromise. The dogs get to run free all morning, then get put back into their yard, then the poultry get to free range all afternoon until we put them away, then the dogs get another run. So far this is working very well.
The reason we can’t let them all frolic together is because the dogs want to kill everything. Blaze is a miniature dachschund and Jack is an Irish terrier so, despite our attempts to train them not to kill (using electric collar things briefly which I didn’t like, and a dog trainer) both breeds have been bred to hunt and kill.
Luckily the guinnea fowl and peafowl can fly up and away from dog danger, but none of the poultry can – not even Godfrey – so now we have a new system and everyone seems very happy – the gang, the dogs and Ming and me.
They look so innocent don’t they!
Don’t be fooled by their sweet demeanours; Ming let them out a bit early the other afternoon, before the roosters were roosting, and they killed Noname and Tina Turner almost instantaneously. Poor Ming tried to stop it but had to come and tell me. I cried my eyes out even though Tina and I had such a love/hate relationship. Noname was always a bit vulnerable and an easy target so I guess, for me, this was another lesson learned.
I’m not sure if getting accustomed to loss is a good or a bad thing.
jmgoyder 
The balance of nature…. or time management… shame about the loss, have dogs like that myself, just want to kill everything they see…
Dilemmas!
Not sure I should be ‘liking’ this post, technically – but I hope your new system is working better! We had a miniature dachshund once and I can vouch for their speed and deadliness!
They are such beautiful dogs but wow they are such killers!
Oh no! Not Tina Turner! She was so cute 😦
I think the time management thing is the best – good luck!
It was a couple of weeks ago – I was so bereft.
Oh, how sad – Tina Turner was a jerk, but a very beautiful jerk. We have exactly the same problem with our two Cocker Spaniels – murderous beasties given a second of chance.
I didn’t know Cocker Spaniels were murderous!
Butter wouldn’t melt, eh? Bred to retrieve wood cocks…
I am so sorry about Tina and Noname–loss is the pits!
I am starting to get used to this loss thing.
Julie you write so beautifully. I actually have a smile on my face when I read your posts. By saying that I am not trying to negate the trauma of the Noname and Tina being killed. I LOVE the names and your writing style. Fond wishes.
I LOVE your comment – thank you soooooo much!
Ah Julie — perhaps it is that nature is always teaching us to respect the cycles of life — but those are tough lessons.
Be strong of heart my friend. I wonder some times when I read your posts how you have the courage and strength to embrace life, and all its losses, with such grace. You are amazing and I am blessed every time I come here and find life shimmering in all its beauty and darkness and truth.
You are such an encouragement to me Louise!
Sounds like a good balance between dogs/birds can be reached.
Fingers crossed.
sounds like a great idea! think we can do this with people also???? LOL
You never know!
Oh, so sad about Tina. Kinda. I know how those roosters can be. ha You just wouldn’t think those sweet looking dogs could turn so vicious. Bless ’em.
Something about dogs and chickens – they rarely get along. My dogs could have a bird sit on their heads and not care – but if they spot a squirrel or rabbit – it’s game on!
For some reason our dogs go for the poultry before the rabbits – I wish it were the other way around as we have a rabbit plague!
I have terriers – birds are invisible to them for some reason…
I thought terriers would be hunters too!
They are – just not birds. Squirrels, rabbits, mice, moles, snakes – all fair game
Let’s swap dogs?
LOL
Them dogs are killers! They do look innocent!
What sad news about Tina, dogs well whatcan I say gotta love them when they look so cute and harmless……………lol
That was really sad news about your lost … Tina gone now ???? And Noname too.
Glad I wasn’t there .. I would be so upset and I would hated the dogs .. because they don’t kill because of food. That’s why I never could be a farmer ..
Maybe the dogs has been trained for hunting … still I would be so full of hate for what they done.
Going to miss your conversation with Tina and Noname.
So sad about Tina and NN.
Yes, its … I feel the lost too.
You are such a beautiful person!
I got attached to your birds .. now .. !!! Feel sorry for Ming too in all this .. but those dogs … *laughing.
Grrrr!
Yes . GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
It’s hard to imagine those cute, funny dogs being deadly! They are adorable.
Oh, no – Tina is gone?! 😦
It was so quick. Yes he is gone. I sobbed.
Oh no!!! I have had that happen to me a few times. You want to throttle them, to hate them, but in the end you can’t blame them for being dogs and doing what comes natural to them.
I’m so sorry, Julie.
~ Lynda
Sounds like a good system that will keep everyone happier. So sad about Tina and Noname. I can’t remember what kind of rooster Tina was, but he was such a spectacular beauty. Life lesson really suck sometimes.
Tina was an Aracauna. I miss him.
I read this earlier this week and couldn’t bear it. Tina was such a great “character” in your blogs. I will miss him. So very sorry for you loss.
I am learning the hard way which breeds of birds can defend themselves from foxes and our dogs and which can’t.