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Still Walking with Chet

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The sky was beautiful this day, silvery and broken, a presage of more rotten weather to come.

I was glad to be out, though, and to find some scat that had probably been left by a raccoon. I say that because there are two different piles here, one fresh (on the left) and one older (grayer, on the right). I'm guessing it's 'coon scat because they like to poop in the same place a bunch of times. It could also be coyote scat. It was pretty big.

It's full of persimmon seeds. That's the other thing that makes me think it's probably 'coon scat. A coyote would have a hard time filling up on persimmons, because they'd have to scrounge whatever fruit fell to the ground, and they'd have to compete with opossums and raccoons for it. A 'coon, though, could climb the tree and pick the 'simmons, making for a nice big persimmon dump.
I could be all wrong about this, but I thought I'd let you in on the thought process. As you know, there's a lot to see and think about in feces. Well, maybe you don't know that. One should never assume one's readers stand around in the woods pondering poo as one is wont to do.

Chet does that too, which is part of why we get along so well. He also ponders voles. Here, he's listening hard for the scuttling sound of a vole in the meadow. You can tell he's onto something because he's pointing. See how his tail is sticking straight out?
He's still listening. This is a better look at that elegant tail of his. Sometimes I wonder if another sort of tail might complement his formal attire a bit better. And then decide he's perfect as he is.The stream was running down in the Chute with a happy sound. It seems hopeful that spring will eventually arrive.Southern Ohio usually enjoys some concrete signs of spring by late February. But this year, the daffodils are still just emerging, the water maples and Norway maples haven't even thought of budding, and the woodcocks are AWOL, along with the spring peepers. On bright mornings, though, the bluebirds are singing like mad. I heard a Carolina wren shouting JULIE JULIE JULIE! on the front stoop this morning, and the tufted titmice and cardinals are caroling. White-breasted nuthatches are yammering, and the red-bellied woodpeckers started quirring on the 23rd. It's coming, whether the weather agrees or not. Good thing I've got sweet Baker to keep me smiling.

Here, Mether, is the stick that you requested I return to you. It is large and unwieldy, but I, Chet Baker, am the dog for the job.

20 comments:

We're so far behind you in signs of spring but I have noticed that the sun is warmer in the sky.
I never noticed Chet's tiny tail before. Are Boston tails docked when they're babies like dobermans? (dobermen?)

Keep walking with Chet. I love learning about poo and scat and watching that lovely Boston lead you to life under the brush.

Here, the peepers are loud and the maples have buds, daffodils are in full bloom but thunderstorms raged through today and will drops temps to the 20's. We're ahead of you, but not by much.

Enjoy the last few weeks of winter. I'm trying...

Hi Lynne. Your last post cracked me UP!
Bostons are born just like you see Chet: perfect. The short screw tail is natural, and the ears stand up all by themselves. Some show people still crop the ears, cutting them to a fine point, something I will never understand. Oh, and Bostons are supposed to weigh no more than 15 lb. now. Ditto on that.

ahhhh yes, another post just full of... shtick.

Signs of spring, not yet. We did hit the ten hour mark today! **whoo hoot**

And poo, been known to contemplate it, too. Hmmmm....I think that is brown bear poo....

I hope your woodcocks show up soon.

Whoooppss....did not mean to say *you* have brown bear poo, just that that is what I contemplate.

Chet is making me smile too.

How nice to have your birds call you by name!
My wren hasn't learned mine, though I try to correct him each time.

That's funny, Nina! :-)

I think our maples are contemplating...and the birds are all in a froth. But the more I wish for Spring the more it SNOWS.
Dammit.
Please give Chet a big smacky kiss on that adorable head, will ya?

The Carolina wrens I grew up with in Yankee territory shout JETER JETER JETER! Go figger.

I notice how beautifully muscled Chet is. Bostons look sleek to begin with, but it must also be all the walking he does.

I don't know Julie, as we get older poop talk is fully justified and understood. In my line of work, people feel free to share their scat history, whether you really want to hear about it or not. Persimmon poop is interesting indeed.

Daffodils are already up in some places here. Mine are maybe 6" tall out of the ground now. Hoping they will be tentative and smart and wait a few more weeks.

An answer for Lynne: As Julie so correctly states, a Boston Terrier is supposed to be born with a naturally short tail, however some of them can be born with a long tail. A vet can dock it (at 3-5 days old) but it is considered a "breed fault", and a BT with a docked tail cannot be shown. One of my clients has a male BT who carries a strong tail gene and I have to dock the tails of almost all his babies.

KatDoc

A question for Chet: If Mether wants that stick, why does she keep throwing it away?

Holly, KatDoc's dog

GOOD JOB WITH THAT STICK, PUPPERTON! ;) so freakin' cute!

Even as type my outside microphone is telegraphing 'Spring'. Here in snowy northwest Ohio - the promise will have to do.

I always persimmons were a tropical fruit. It just goes to show that there's a lot to learn here, so thanks for standing out in the woods and thinking about feces on our behalf.

It is my honor and duty, LOG. I am writing from Guatemala, where I can hear the blessed music of insects and frogs as the tropical night falls like a curtain!

Bless Chet Baker's little doggie heart--dragging that stick just for you.
And thank you (I think) for the lesson on excrement. Wow, the things I learn at the feet of the Science Chimp.

I don't think I'll be able to hear a Carolina wren now without hearing "Julie Julie Julie!"

I love you, Chet!

Just wanted to let you know we linked to this article in the March issue of Learning in the Great Outdoors. Thanks!

http://aloneonalimb.blogspot.com/2008/03/learning-in-great-outdoors-10.html

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