01/08/2025
Clucksters AKK Short Stories
SHOT CRAZY:
Shiloh hunts. She picks up on scent really well and can accurately track what she wants. It is something new I have discovered about her and we have not completely explored her limits on this.
However, SHE HAS NEVER hunted chickens… until today.
I have only two ideas. The first is simpler and the more likely option: I slaughtered some chickens the other day and she got a taste for the raw meat.
However, there was a series of events that makes me wonder…
The day started like any other, but unbeknownst to her we had a special visit to the Vet planned. It was shot day.
It takes about 2 hours to get to our vet and that drive can be a little anxiety inducing during winter. This dog can clue in on any of my emotions at every inflection change.
Well, as you can imagine- the visit went well, and she was fairly wound up. The sights, smells, the people then…. The shots!! OUCH!
Her frustration of being kept from me, held by another human and her clear distain for this whole process was quite apparent as she made a break for the truck as soon as we opened the door.
My attempts to recall her back into a heal position was largely unsuccessful and quite frankly should have been my first clue. To top it off- she is a couple weeks from heat, which naturally adds a stubborn streak to her.
Me- trying to reward her for the adventure- gave her a pup cup from a local coffee shop. Whipped cream. I gave my premenstrual, anxious and annoyed dog… sugar….
We arrive home. Both tired and rung out from the whole day. I glanced over as I pull into my house and noted that the chickens had grouped up on the side of the house, next to my back door. Nothing to worry about- she’s never chased chickens…
I get her close to the door, off leash because her recall is usually pretty perfect, and all of a sudden, I became slightly excited that she didn’t go after the birds. I guess somewhere in the back of my mind it was still a slight concern…probably because I know my dog really well and I knew she was acting off.
Almost on cue, as soon as that relief hit me, she turned her body towards the chickens. Head down. Complete focus on her prey.
I called to her. I told her “OFF!”. I opened the door and commanded her to go inside… but I could tell she wasn’t listening. Shiloh’s ears were shut off and her entire demeanor was screaming at me: “Be the wolf. You got this. Wild and Free. Not tamed- Live a little! I am a WOLLLFFFF!”. She shot off.
First, she took time to separate the rooster from the flock. She almost killed him, but he realized he had wings and could flap himself out of his predicament.
Racing she went- pulling tail feathers out of some and eagerly ready to enjoy her meal. All the while, ignoring her crazy human who was chasing her around the yard, screaming at her and flapping her arms as if she might take flight herself.
Red faced, embarrassed and angry is how Shiloh found me when she came to her senses.
A new training begins tomorrow…
