Life and the suburban farmdog

My suburban boy decided to chase some "big game" while I was off at work tonight.

Chandler apparently spotted a large perched redtailed hawk at the edge of the woods before my father did, and silently launched himself at it in full charge.
The hawk quickly decided to leave in a low swoop across the yard, and Chan changed direction to chase it.
Then of course, the fun ended as he hit the end of the 28 foot flexi lead. (Poor boy.)

This has me a bit curious. He hasn't been taught or encouraged to chase perched birds, but other members of his breed reportedly do keep birds of prey from swooping down on the chickens and guinea hens. I'm wondering if this an innate English Shepherd behavior of some type, either driven by prey drive, or farmdog sense of "things that should not be here."

Given the difficulty of figuring out what a dog is thinking, I'll probably never know.

Happy Birthday Ashke!

13 years. :)

1st Anniversary of Disaster

...and I'm two days late, because I was working on Friday and doing homework for my class yesterday.

Last year at this time Chandler was recovering from his impalement accident. I love my dog and am so glad he survived that; although it is still hard to remain totally calm when he starts running in the woods. I don't know if I'll ever get over it. I'll give Chandler two dried turkey medallions today. I feel like it is his "unbirthday" or something.

I really can't call this improvement.

Ashke seems to have recovered.
Rowan now seems to have caught what he had.

I'm not liking 2008 so far.

I spoke too soon. Ashke is still sick, which resulted in much wash being done to clean up "accidents", and his confinement in "Alcatraz" with blankets and a litterbox. He is complaining mightily.

Chandler also managed to scrape one of the "stopper pads" on his right wrist this morning. It's bleeding a bit so he's wearing a sock. I swear the dog is danger prone...

Ashke update

Ash seems to be feeling better...
he's walking around, wanted to play, and just ate 1/4 can of kitty food.
Gads...I hate it when he has these "sick" episodes.

Nailed again; sick kitty

The person I was filling in for at work is back. YAY! No more leaving at 3 am or later.

I had a good time at Jen's yesterday, except Nixie bit Chan again (no damage done except psychological).
I'm feeling a bit sorry for Nixie; she was stressed the entire time she was out of the living room. Unfortunately, got beat up by another dog when Jen had to leave her with a friend once, and she now has an "I'm gonna get them first" attitude. This is hard on poor Chan, who was being just a bit TOO friendly.

Ashke is not feeling well today- diarrhea, no appetite and just lying around. No idea what threw him off. I'm hoping it is just a one day thing. However, it is a reminder that he's been losing weight this last year, and he is going to be 13. *sigh* I think he actually gained a pound in the last month too.