Sunday morning I let out the chickens and T-Bone and I went for a walk about. We noticed a muskrat on the opposite end of the pond. Not good news.
Muskrats dig burrows into the edges of the pond and as you are walking around the pond your foot and leg will suddenly disappear into the earth, deep deep down into a mucky hole past your kneecap. (Don't ask me how I know this)
T-Bone was after that muskrat like a shot but the little destructive beast had just a short distance to the water.
T-Bone let me know about 2 holes the muskrat already dug and I blocked them.
We had our boat on one edge for less than a week and it had already had an impressive hole started underneath.
Every time the muskrat popped up, the hard working farm dog chased him back in.
This lasted the whole day.
The chickens came to check out what was happening.
Some got drinks.
Refreshing.
Even the dog worked up a thirst.
The dedicated farm dog never did get that muskrat but we believe he packed his bags that night and moved on to another pond.
I love having such a handy helper keeping my legs safe from harm.
T-Bone is now out in the rain trying to rid us of a family of chipmunks wreaking havoc behind the chicken coop.
Thank you pup!
10 comments:
I hope he did knowing your dog was on his scent.
I dont think that Ive seen a muskrat before...except on that movie with kermit the frog. Those where muskrats, right?
Tbone is such a good dog.
My word is wortr....
T-bone is one busy farm dog.
We have those pesky varmints in both our ponds. Our dog seems disinterested in the little things. We have river otters who come through once in a while. They seem to chase the muskrats away for a while. But then they eat all the fish. I guess nature is all about balance.
michelle-you so know I'm gonna be singing that song all day now, right?
Marcee-I loved that movie, and no, they're otters. :)
That's awesome! but what will he do if he catches that bugger? They aren't like a chipmunk that they can just sit on (are our dogs the only ones who do that?). I am sure he has it all worked out...but it's exciting for us out here in cyberspace!
Patrice Farmer, it has been 5 days and no sign of him.
frugalmom, looks like farm mom knew that answer. Thanks farm mom.
Is that wortr for my water post?
Jennifer, I think he works harder than the humans that live here.
country girl, yikes both ponds, sounds like they are there to stay! Sounds like you have quite a zoo at your place.
farm mom, I know me too, especially when it says "nibblin on bacon, chewing on cheese"
warren, T-Bone has had scuffles with muskrats before and has always won (chipmonks & wood chucks too, he's pretty tough) And yes I think your dogs are the only ones who do that. I'd love a pic of that! ;-0
Darn good dog you got there. Ever on the job.
GOOD DOG, T-BONE!! Nothing better than a good farm dog, they are definitely a jack of all trades!
My Mom, who is 87 and has Alzheimers now, grew up in Mass. and for some reason ever time she saw a muskrat she would gag....never get the full story from her on that one....
We don't let muskrats set up housekeeping in our pond either. They clog up the system of drainage pipes that keep us high and dry. At first sight of a muskrat it's time to get the varmint rifle out. My brother used to trap them when we were in high school and sell the pelts for spending money.
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