Re: [PyrNet-L] Pyr afraid of dark?

["Tracy Pribbenow" <pribb@feist.com>]

The other day when I came home (it was already past sunset and getting
dark), I was alarmed to find out both my horse and my Pyr were out of their
pens.  (Apparently seeing the horse get out so alarmed my Pyr that he
thought it necessary to break loose, too -- although he only succeeded in
chasing the horse halfway across the wheat field.)

Although getting the horse back wasn't so easy, it was quite simple to get
the Pyr (Rodman) to come back.  However, he did something that I thought
was quite interesting.  I, personally, always have the habit of coming in
the back door (going through a screened porch first), unlocking the door,
and then reaching my hand in for the light switch before I step foot in (I
have a fear of darkness, even as an adult, and hate walking into a dark
room).  Well, here was Rodman, barreling into the porch ahead of me, and
almost making it impossible to reach to door with the key.  So I finally
got it unlocked and swung the door open-- expecting him to go racing in (as
he usually does when he comes inside) and then I would flip on the light
behind him.  But instead, he just stood there -- just like I did.  I
finally reached over him and around the corner and hit the light switch,
and only then did he go racing on inside.  It was so strange.  I thought I
was the only one who wouldn't enter the house a step or two unless a light
was on........

(he usually is not left in the house when we aren't there -- but in the
yard.  He is only let in the house usually when we are home, so I had never
seen him react to a dark room before.  And I usually leave a light on if I
think I will be home after dark, but didn't this day).

Tracy
pribb@feist.com