03/25/2026
She ain't nothing but a "HOUND DOG"
Since moving to the Ranch, 30 years ago we have always had guardian dogs. Anatolian Shepherds to watch over all creatures that live here, and Doberman Pinschers to guard the humans and their space. They have both lived up to our expectations. But awhile back we added a Bloodhound pup to the mix. We had never owned a scent hound before, or even been around one. But we were very curious 🤔. Our curiosity finally got the best of us and we brought a 10 week old female Bloodhound pup, named "Marishka" home. We had no idea what we had just done. "Million Kisses Marishka" was here registered name. We shortly realized that we did not own her. She owned us! What a delight she has turned out to be. Unbelievably intelligent and extremely DETERMINED! Like our Packgoats, very tough to keep inside a fence. And her nose is on the ground more than it's not.
Yesterday afternoon I took the Doberman, "Aabigail", and "Marishka" for their daily run in the 250 acre pasture to the East. A mile or so into the pasture, me following in the side x side, the dogs got out of site. I called out, but only Aabigail returned. For hours we called out to "Marishka," and initiated the sound and vibration on her electronic collar. But no sign of her anywhere. It was decided that that determined nose had gotten her to, more than likely, chase one of the many white tail deer off over the horizon. It was getting dark and the coyotes would be out in force shortly. At 90 lbs she was formidable one on one with a coyote. But two or three would be more than she could handle. We were terrified that we may never see her again and she would die a horrible death. Being a Bloodhound our hopes were now that she would follow the scent back home. At about midnight I decided to return to an area about 2 miles deep in the pasture, atop a hill near where she had vanished. I knew she could recognize the sound of the Kawasaki Mule and see the headlights from miles away. So I sat atop that hill and called out her name in all directions for well over an hour. I knew the chances of me actually finding her in the dark were slim to none. But my hope was that she would find me. The Anatolion, "Kannon" had accompanied me and never left my side. We could hear several groups of coyotes not far off. My hope was waining. As "Kannon" and I returned to the back gate of the Ranch, very much dejected, only a couple hundred yards from the gate, "Million Kisses Marishka" suddenly appeared beside the side x side. I brought the side x side to a skidding halt. Miss Marishka jumped into the passenger seat and into my arms. I had gone from massive depression to instant joy in a split second. And "Million Kisses" demonstrated how she got that name. We all learned something last night. I learned not to trust a scent hound when its nose is on the ground, chasing. And hopefully she learned to return immediately despite the chase. But don't bet on that. They are DETERMINED!
