[PyrNet-L] Midnight battle on the Pasture front.

[Adrienne Wilder <draggon@STC.Net>]

It has really been wonderful to be able to write about Patou 
again.  Him being back at work has made both of us very happy.  Every 
day there is something new with him.  I find myself constantly laughing. 
However, the other night I was visciously reminded that there is not 
only beauty in watching him work, but a horrible danger as well.
	The sound brought people to their door steps in the dead of 
night.  Those who were asleep, woke up.  Lights came on across our small 
road and over on the hill beside us.  The terrible commotion brought me 
to my window in the midst of a phone call and I had to hang up and 
listen.
	The sound of dogs baying, growling, snarling, barking, and teeth 
flashing echoed in the blackness like some sort of demonic storm.  I 
could not see anything, no one could, but we all listened to the furious 
screams and roars of battle.  I wanted to do something but I couldn't I 
was honeslty to scared to even try and get out there and see what was 
happening.  
Part of me knew.  
	The nights before the neightbors dog, a large brown chesapeke 
bay retriever had started running the goats from the outside of the 
fence.  Patou of course would race down the hill and intervene but it 
was obvious that it was only a matter of time before there was a 
confrontation.  And a few days ago, that night came to be.
	I could hear them so clearly.  All the animals were silent, 
probably frozen with fear.  Once a car came around the corner 
illuminating the pasture for a split second.  The shadows cast were too 
long, all I could see was two dark dancing figures. I am sure the fight 
only lasted for a few moments...but those were some of the longest 
moments I have ever lived.  The fence rattled with the impact of bodies, 
I could hear the grass hush and bristle as the goats suddenly darted one 
way to avaoid the frenzy.
 
	Then suddenly it was over.
	Nothing moved.
	I could hear the muffled comments of theneighbors across the 
road but they were not really to concerned about their own dog.  In a 
few minutes they retreated back inside and the lights went out.  I 
watched Patou as he came up the fence line closest too the house.  I 
went out side to meet him and check him over but by the time I got there 
he had already merged back into the darkness.  He refused to come when I 
called so I simply waited until morning.
	Upon examination he was not hurt.  A few large clumps of hair 
and scarred earth marked the battle field but there was no sign of the 
other dog.  He probably went off to nurse his war wounds...maybe next 
time he will head the pyrenees warning.

-- 


Adrienne Wilder  
Murrayville GA

"Oh, to be loved by a dog!"

Home of:
The golden gang,
Patou and the evil sister geese.
and many stray cats.