The boys only have two functions: Pretend to listen respectfully while I expound deep philosophical musings at them, and keep the bad critters at bay.
The first duty is purely ceremonial. Except for Ghost’s undoglike tendency to walk away unbidden in a disgusted and disrespectful manner, they do a reasonable job. LB in particular can sit straight and stare at me for several minutes with his head cocked in a manner that clearly imparts the message, “I hear you, oh Wise One, and feel enlightenment just around a corner here somewhere. Please speak on.” I’m aware he’s really trying to say, “Daddy, I need to go out and poop,” but play along.
In the matter of bad critters, it’s probable that they really do have a practical effect. At least, I’ve never lost a chicken to a predator on their watch. But since I never personally see those critters, who knows? They react strongly to cattle crossing the yard, and the cattle are presumably not after my chickens. Mostly they react to things I never detect at all.
This morning, just as I was struggling down the loft ladder, they both lit up like the threat board in the CIC of a destroyer about to be squished by a battleship. Oh, they wanted out bad. I opened the door to release Ghost, while holding LB back for the all-important Tie-Out Cable Check, and he flew through the door silently – which is what happens when Ghost really, truly wants to chase something he really, truly sees. LB is normally more interested in some lovin’ than chasin’ first thing in the morning, but this time he was all business: Let me out that door! When I can hear LB but not Ghost, there really is something they consider important. It may not be anything I consider important, but whatever. They’re doing their job.
The resulting commotion went on for an unusually long time. Finally Ghost, adhering to tradition, demanded to be let back in the cabin briefly while I fussed over him and told him what a big brave soldier he was – and then he wanted straight back out, and assumed his ready station…
…and once again all is well with their world. It’s just…sometimes I wonder what that was really all about.
Tiger guard. The fact that you never see the tigers is proof that they’re doing their job well!
I was going to say that! In this case, something along those lines might actually be so.
Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my! Glad you have such diligent protectors.
Yeti or a Giant Rat. And when Ghost drags it up to your front door you will have an interesting and potentially life changing series of decisions to make. Hope you get at least one cup of coffee first.
I once saw an enormous gigantic mountain lion/cougar in the wilds of New Mexico and fortunately it was as astonished to see me as I was to see it. If something like that snuk up on your lair I can imagine Ghost would go on full alert. You may not see them, but they smell terrible.
We have mountain lions here, and though they tend to be shy around humans I doubt they’re that impressed by dogs. Of course, dogs mean humans.
A couple of days ago the boys got extremely interested in the scent trail of something that had crossed our regular walky path overnight. I wondered about a cat, but couldn’t find any tracks.