Country Living Update: From the Lighter side

Quincy and Rawley: The Terriers

This morning, while I was engaged pulling the cockleburrs out of Squirt the pony's mane, the terriers went absolutely crazy at the other end of the barn.  It didn't take long to discover the source of the ruckus.  The unmistakable odor of Mephitis mephitis (the striped skunk) wafted through the barn and made it impossible to stay with the job at hand.  North American Wildlife explains it thus: "When provoked, the Striped Skunk arches its back, raises its tail, stamps its front feet, and shuffles backward.  If the warning is not heeded, the animal ejects a fine spray of acrid, blinding fluid from its anal glands.  As a result, few animals other than large owls prey on skunks..."  No kidding!

Many years ago, while hunting squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Wisconsin I came up over a rise with my dogs (Beau and Wulfy back then), was confronted by a relative of today's entertainment, and witnessed the entire dance.  Fortunately, the dogs were distracted by a flushing ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus for my readers who may be familiar with other types in the UK), and we were spared the "fine spray of acrid, blinding fluid" on that day.  The boys didn't come off so well this morning.  While they managed to avoid the direct blast, it is fair to say that they will not be allowed into the house until they are cleaned up and descented.  Opinions vary on the best way to accomplish that little job, and this afternoon I will probably try at least two or three of the proposed folk remedies.

But to finish the story, by the time I got the horses out of their stalls and into the front pasture, and checked to make sure the chickens were ok, I saw the raised white tail of my offended neighbor going over the hill and under the fence into the woods.  Even if my shotgun had been handy, I didn't have a safe angle for the shot.  And so he lives to spray again.  The terriers have taken it all in stride, and are quite proud of their accomplishment.  It is as if someone has given them both a shot of adrenelin.  Faithful Pat, the retired white rabbit hound, witnessed the entire thing and seemed quite bemused by it all.  But after a life spent in the woods and hedgerows, he was more than willing to leave the whole thing to the terriers.

An elusive neighbor to avoid!