pheasant plucker

How pleased with himself was Keskiyo this morning on our walk? He caught a pheasant. Poor thing - but I think it might have survived if it didn't have unseen injuries or die later of shock, that is. If only it had stayed still in the undergrowth tucked into the hedge where it was hiding, then I think Keskiyo would never even have noticed it. But, no, it panicked and tried to run away.

What is it with pheasants and running, anyway? They are very bad at it, yet it seems to be one of their favorite pass-times along with sitting on top of hedges or other handy humps to warble. Then again, they are not so great at flying, either, so that leaves them a bit stuck.

Keskiyo grabbed it, then I guess he was so surprised that he dropped it straight away then caught it again before I got to him and got him by the scruff. Needless to say all my screaming "leave" at the top of my voice had no impact on him whatsoever. While he is extremely good at giving up other prizes such as balls, sticks & pine cones, with the live prey he was too excited to even hear me. Anyway, when I grabbed him, he dropped the poor bird and it scrambled up into the hedge out of harm's way.

I know that dogs can be hunters, it's natural, and Lapphunds are particularly good hunters with their speed, agility and cat-like pouncing. But that doesn't mean I encourage it in my dogs. I certainly don't want them to think it's acceptable to chase small creatures because the neighbourhood cats already get a hard enough time from them. Our own cats tolerate them, but then they are not hunting our cats, just pestering them for a game.

They've got good memories, too, so everytime we go through that field forevermore Keskiyo will be looking for his pheasant.

Today my blister really hurts after almost 8 miles on the clock. At what point does it turn into a callous and stop hurting, I wonder? All the literature I read on the subject says that prevention is better than cure. Yeah, not helpful.


Distance - 5.25 + 2.5 miles
Time - 1.43 + 1
Dog(s) - Keskiyo then all
Weather - overcast & foggy
Could I do another 5? - no