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Well first of all...I have to admit that this was all brought on because I had a bad dream last night. :blush: I dreamed that Dora and I were in the back yard and there were lions hunting us. :w00t: Obviously not a real concern in northern Alabama (heck we don't even have a zoo close by! :HistericalSmiley
BUT then after I woke up I managed to freak myself out about the coyotes and various wildlife around our house.
It's not an unfounded fear, as we've actually SEEN a coyote walking along the edge of our backyard. Past the edge of our yard is a big open field, and down the road is the edge of a wildlife preserve. Our neighbors have seen a pack running around in the field during the day. I know we have large birds of prey around as well.
Now, I have to say, I've never heard of any unfortunate incidents around here with the coyotes or hawks. And Dora is a big girl--10 pounds. But I am also a big worrywart and want to do whatever I can to make sure she stays SAFE with me...but I don't know how likely it is that anything will happen to her given that we already are very careful.
We don't let her outside at all without a leash, even for a moment. We don't have a fenced in backyard (yet) so the most freedom she gets is being on a tie-out when we are out in the yard with her. But she does go outside with us to potty and she likes to poo right at the back of the property line right by the field. If she's on a short leash with me, is a coyote really going to just snatch her off her leash? When we get a fence, can a coyote jump a 5 or 6 foot fence and grab her? Can a hawk REALLY carry off a 10 pound dog, especially if she's on a leash or tie-out? Is she too big for a hawk anyway?
I told you I was a big worrywart. :blush: But are my worries reasonable or should I try to relax? Is Dora reasonably safe or should I be doing more for her?
It's not an unfounded fear, as we've actually SEEN a coyote walking along the edge of our backyard. Past the edge of our yard is a big open field, and down the road is the edge of a wildlife preserve. Our neighbors have seen a pack running around in the field during the day. I know we have large birds of prey around as well.
Now, I have to say, I've never heard of any unfortunate incidents around here with the coyotes or hawks. And Dora is a big girl--10 pounds. But I am also a big worrywart and want to do whatever I can to make sure she stays SAFE with me...but I don't know how likely it is that anything will happen to her given that we already are very careful.
We don't let her outside at all without a leash, even for a moment. We don't have a fenced in backyard (yet) so the most freedom she gets is being on a tie-out when we are out in the yard with her. But she does go outside with us to potty and she likes to poo right at the back of the property line right by the field. If she's on a short leash with me, is a coyote really going to just snatch her off her leash? When we get a fence, can a coyote jump a 5 or 6 foot fence and grab her? Can a hawk REALLY carry off a 10 pound dog, especially if she's on a leash or tie-out? Is she too big for a hawk anyway?
I told you I was a big worrywart. :blush: But are my worries reasonable or should I try to relax? Is Dora reasonably safe or should I be doing more for her?