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Our adult LGD, a fabulous 6 year old Pyrenees named Buachaill (Irish for goatherd), worked with his 3 associate LGDs to keep the raccoons, possums, coyotes, bears, and cougars away. To him, the goats were his pack. He even allowed that the flocks of chickens and ducks could have honorary status in his pack. Nothing was going to hurt them while he was on watch, and he was always on watch.
Although we weren't crazy about it, our boy Buach (pronounced with a long oo, followed by a soft German-style CH) would go on late night reconnaissance to ensure that all was safe. It was his way.
We've had a bit of coyote activity the past month. Buach was on hyperalert, and would leave his sister and nephew behind with the herd while he went on solo recon runs. No way to stop him from his appointed rounds, because you don't tell Pyrs what to do or when/where to go. He knew his job, and he was determined to secure the perimeter.
Very early this morning, our boy staggered home, terribly wounded. He was in bad -- no, horrible -- shape. At first, I thought he tangled with a bear or cougar, but the wounds were definitely canine.
The damage was extensive, and there was no question of what had to be done.
Not the best way to start the day.
I am grateful for the protection our guardian provided for our herd and flocks. I am terribly sad that we lost our boy to a predator, and only pray that the other animal(s) involved found themselves in worse shape than our noble, protective warrior.
This has been a rough year for our farm's canine population. We lost my adored 2 year old English Shepherd pup back in May, due to a freak thymoma. We euthanized our 13 year old working farm collie in October. And now Buachaill gave his life to protect the herd.
Golly, I hope next year is better. And I hope we never again lose a guardian to a predator.
Although we weren't crazy about it, our boy Buach (pronounced with a long oo, followed by a soft German-style CH) would go on late night reconnaissance to ensure that all was safe. It was his way.
We've had a bit of coyote activity the past month. Buach was on hyperalert, and would leave his sister and nephew behind with the herd while he went on solo recon runs. No way to stop him from his appointed rounds, because you don't tell Pyrs what to do or when/where to go. He knew his job, and he was determined to secure the perimeter.
Very early this morning, our boy staggered home, terribly wounded. He was in bad -- no, horrible -- shape. At first, I thought he tangled with a bear or cougar, but the wounds were definitely canine.
The damage was extensive, and there was no question of what had to be done.
Not the best way to start the day.
I am grateful for the protection our guardian provided for our herd and flocks. I am terribly sad that we lost our boy to a predator, and only pray that the other animal(s) involved found themselves in worse shape than our noble, protective warrior.
This has been a rough year for our farm's canine population. We lost my adored 2 year old English Shepherd pup back in May, due to a freak thymoma. We euthanized our 13 year old working farm collie in October. And now Buachaill gave his life to protect the herd.
Golly, I hope next year is better. And I hope we never again lose a guardian to a predator.
