Sweet cuddly Bud, the only dog allowed on the furniture (don’t tell Fate). Bud who naps on Jon’s lap and snuggles next to me on the couch when I read at night.
But like a cat, Bud is also a hunter. Unlike a cat, he digs holes all over the back yard, including what is becoming a tunnel under one of my hosta’s, on the trail of moles and voles. He swaggers around the back yard, his feet dirty from digging.
Yesterday Bud was hopping through my hosta’s like a rabbit. I was sure he was chasing a chipmunk. When I yelled for him to “leave it” he came out with a big frog in his mouth. Only the two legs sticking out.
If I could have popped open his mouth and pulled out the frog, I would have. But it was already injured beyond saving. I told him if he was going to kill the frog, he’d better eat it.
And that’s just what he did, scurrying off behind my studio away from the other dogs.
Boston Terriers were originally bred as ratters. And Bud is not a simple dog. He lived the first two years of his life never having enough food in the outdoor pen he shared with a pug. I’d imagine that’s where he sharpened his hunting skills.
So as much as I’d rather he kill mice and rats, I can’t blame him for killing the frog anymore than I can blame the cats for killing rabbits.
My Welsh Terrier had her first kill last month just before her first birthday. I don’t think she realized what she had done, because she kept poking at it, getting down on her front legs in the doggie “play!” position, as if encouraging it to get up so they could do it all over again. Because it was such fun! For her. Today it was a lizard. Sigh . . . Terriers gonna do what terriers do.
Oh She must have been disappointed when it didn’t play with her Jill! And yes, it’s all part of the natural world.
Hard to believe that sweet little innocent face is capable of eating a frog!
Great portrait of Bud, Maria!
Right!?!
some frogs and toads are toxic to dogs ,
hope bud is ok
This afternoon my Labradoodle, Oliver, found a dead lizard in the back yard.
I thought he was acting strange. When I looked he came out of the bushes with this lizard. I’m pretty sure it was already dead because his body was so stiff and he wasn’t moving at all. I told Ollie to leave it and he did. It was a beautiful blue bellied lizard; small too. I hope Oliver hadn’t eaten any of his tail because it was missing a tiny section.
I took it away and tossed it in the trash.
I’m just glad it wasn’t a rat. That would have really done it for me. I don’t like rats.
The problem is around here people tend to use poison and I don’t believe in that. I hope the lizard wasn’t poisoned.
I do like non poisonous snakes though.
Sounds like your lizard was already dead Jane.
Years ago when we lived in NJ, I had a koi pond installed in our back yard. It was quite lovely, if I say so myself, and we spent many tranquil hours enjoying it. In addition to the koi and some other fish the pond attracted toads and frogs. We had 2 dogs, one of which was a Rotti-Lab rescue, who weighed over 100lbs. He was a gentle giant and my “heart dog.” Logan was utterly fascinated by the toads and frogs who lived in and around the pond. One day when we were out by the pond together he made a lunge at a frog. He suddenly sat back and had the strangest look on his face, as there were 2 frogs legs hanging out of his mouth. I said, “Logan NO!” and he immediately dropped it. The frog was unhurt as he’d not bitten down on it, so I placed it on the edge of the pond and it slid into the water and swam away. Logan never caught one again but he remained fascinated by them.
I had a dog do that with a squirrel once Marcia. Same thing! Later that dog brought two baby rabbits to me unhurt.
Loving warrior, My dogs are both Whippits. They are the sweetest most gentle dogs. And very loyal. However, outside they are the fierce sight hounds they were bred to be. In an instant they can catch eight of small prey and catch it. And there is no time to reach it for a rescue. For the fate of the prey is a swift and precise broken back. This hunter instinct is why Whippits must be on lead when not in a secure 6 ‘ fenced area. If they see prey they are off, no matter what might be in their way, such as a car. So dear Bud is probably similarly hard wired to take prey, swiftly. And equally bred to be loving companions. For most of these mighty warriors enjoyed an inside life by the fireplace and family, unlike most dogs of their time who stayed outside sheltering in the barn maybe. They are bred for speed not harsh rainy winter weather. Just look at their coats.
It is an interesting mix Donna!