She watches, eyes fixed.....she is patient. I stand, fixed to the spot. Nella has seen a rat. 
At great speed she runs across the garden..........the rat is too far away for her....it runs into next doors garden.
She peers through the hedgerow.....just stay away, you are not welcome here.......
She checks the garden, just to make sure the rat did not come with friends......
At the end of a chase Nella always dances around the garden. She bounces this way and that, the excitement still very much with her. I have a feeling the rat will not be back for a while.........
26 comments:
Hi Cheryl,
It looks like Nella loves her job, and no doubt Ratty will steer clear with her around.
Nella looks like she is full of joy for winning that battle. Happy day. I have been seeing on the TV about the snow and cold in England. I hope you and yours are warm and safe.
I love those photos of Nella in the snow - I can practically feel her excitement and joy!
It was -6 hare last night and it's only about -3 now. I've got a snow day as we usually work outside on a Thursday ...not a good plan today!!
Keep yourself tucked up somewhere nice and warm -by that roaring fire looks the right place to me :)
Your dog loves the snow as ours does. I am amazed to see blooms in your garden along with the snow in a previous post.
Hi Lisa.....it took Mr P five hours to get home last night (usually takes 30 minutes)...
we have more snow to come over the next five days....oh joy (not)
I am not liking snow......
I just love the way the dogs prance so proudly when they think they have made the yard safe. Lovely photographs. I can't believe the snow you have had this year.
Hi NC Mountainwoman...I cannot believe the amount of snow we have either.....most unusual.....we rarely see snow here......
What a good dog. I depend on cats to keep the mice and rats away. My border collie has no interest in hunting.
Marnie
Can you please export Nella to my garden to hunt for my voles? No, seriously, I so enjoyed your photos of Nella in the snow. Her enthusiasm is contagious!
Hi Ruth...I do not think the garden knows what to do at the moment....it is all over the place.....
Dogs do seem to enjoy the snow.....
Hi Marnie....I used to keep spaniels before Nella arrived. They most certainly would NOT have chased the or caught the rats.
Nella has done a wonderful job here....I am surrounded by old barns, the perfect place for rats to feed and hide. I need Nella to keep them away from the garden and the house.....
Hi Amy.....perhaps you need an owl to take the voles.....we have barn and tawny owls in our area, so voles never get out of hand...
Nellas love of life is contagious....I love my little dog......
Go Nella! A great hunter and wonderful entertainment! You've caught her excitement wonderfully in the pictures. At least she is enjoying the snow, even if you're not!
Hi Dan.....Nella fascinates me when she hunts....I never tire of watching her.
I am not enjoying it......to be honest I will be glad when it's gone. I have just heard that it is likely to stay around for another ten days. What!!!!
It looks like Nella loves the snow, too.
You mentioned the parakeets causing problems in the UK. I'm thinking that may have been on a TV news or animal program awhile back.
I know someone who kills sparrows, squirrels, and ferrel cats when they come on "her" property. I don't think I could do that. She has houses up for bluebirds, and that's her way of protecting them. If my hobby required killing animals, I think I'd find a different one.
Oh, I guess I've taken baby rabbits out of their nest on my property, and put them into the cemetery fence a block away, not knowing whether they were weaned or not. Maybe I'm not such a good person to the critters, either.
Wherever we live, and whatever we do, it has an impact on other living things around us.
it's great to see nella in her natural mode. so many dogs need to do their tasks and that is what makes them happy...all dancing and prancing around. watch out ratty...nella is on the job.
sorry you are having so much snow...it's harder when you are not used to it.
happy january...we are also dreaming of spring.
HI Sue.....how sad that someone feels they have the right to kill another creature. My personal view is that everything has a right to live freely......Nella is working by instinct alone. She only takes rats and rabbits, that would get out of control, if she was not here.
I could NEVER kill an animal......I love all creatures including the rabbits and yes the rats....they are only doing what God intended.....
You are quite right, the way we live most certainly has an impact on the creatures that live with us......
Dear Marmee.....that is probably very true....we are not used to so much snow. The country cannot cope, we do not have the equipment to keep all roads clear. We are also running out of grit and salt.
My area is bad.....the lanes are covered in ice, with snow on top of that......
Hi Cheryl
Interesting comments being made here about each individual creature's right to life. Have you read 'Making Animals Happy: How to Create the Best Life for Pets and Other Animals' by Temple Grandin? It's a really interesting book, and certainly gives food for thought.
When I gave up being veggie recently, because I wasn't feeling very well, the general consensus was that I had 'come to my senses', but I still feel terribly guilty about the decision.
Hi Cheryl,
I would trap and kill a rat, I think, especially since I live in the city. It's tricky to figure out how to live with a good balance of nature. Nella does not have a gun, so probably does not kill every rabbit or rat she sees. You are right that she keeps the population down, though. That is part of nature. There are other predators out there, too.
Some may even say that the woman killing the cats is keeping them from having more kittens that may suffer from the elements and lack of care. Now that I think of it, I wonder how many dogs and cats get put down in the city pounds. What a cheerful comment I'm putting together!
My city is encroaching more and more on what had been farmland, and it will get even more complicated to achieve a good balance with the critters around us as time goes by.
Hi Dan tku for the recommendation I will put that on my wish list......
I am a commited vegetarian and have been for around 27-28 years....may be more...it is hard to remember, it has been so long. From a small child I have always been sensitive to all that surrounds me ....animals....people....
We are as we are.....I do not mind what other's think.....I am extremely happy the way I am and vegetarianism is very much part of my life.....I do cook meat etc for others though, I just don't want it on my plate.
Hi Sue....tku for an interesting debate. I am always interested in other peoples opionions....
I can understand what you are saying....living in a city, you do not want rats in the area. Who would.
I live in open countryside but the towns are getting closer and closer. Humans have a lot to answer for, don't you think??
I think that rat will think twice before coming into your garden again! Thanks so much for showing us these pictures of Nella, Cheryl. You know I'm a dog lover:) Nella's hunting skills and her enthusiasm remind me of Sophie, who sometimes loses track of how far she's gone as she chases a rabbit across the fields. I think she and Nella would have a grand time keeping unwanted critters out of your garden!
Hi Rose.....I have a lot of damage in the garden, mainly due to rats and rabbits.....
My witch hazel has been eaten to the ground.....and a lovely holly has had it's bark stripped one side.....they have pulled the protecter away from the trunk. Tell me, how do they do that??
Whilst it is sad to lose the plants, it is something I really am learning to live with......
Nella is fantastic during the day....but at night, of course, she is inside the house....and that's when the little beasties take advantage......
Have a nice weekend Rose....
Hi Cheryl
I have a copy if you would like to read it. I am more than happy to send it to you if you are able to email me your address privately somehow.
Have a fantastic weekend, and maybe make the most of the cold white stuff with Nella - you could have a Snowy Sunday Safari this week!
Dan
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How old is Nella? I love how her paws look like she has yet to grow into them just a little bit, though I'm sure she's an adult! :) Does she like to chase balls or frisbees, too?
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