Making the garden dog proof

[philpjuk100]

Well done Albert Herring!our ginger tom freddo does not understand why he is praised for catching moles but told off for bringing in blue tits and voles!
I do not think I could "pull" a chickens neck (its the close contact thing) but cannot see the difference between decapitation with an axe or spade as long as done swiftly.Rosie one of our chucks has started to moult now winter has arrived,do you think one of these jumpers would help?

 

[philpjuk100]

I think that has to be a chicken model,you know the kind of thing !"I would not get off the perch for less than a sack of corn"!

 

[LadyArowana]

I think that has to be a chicken model,you know the kind of thing !"I would not get off the perch for less than a sack of corn"!

Isn't she a bit chubby for a supermodel?

 

[philpjuk100]

Its all the corn she is paid!

 

[Flyfisher]

Flyfisher, would you like to borrow Albert Herring? He specialises in moles. Usually a two a week man.

That's a kind offer Vicky, though I fear we'd want to offer Albert a full-time position. It's a shame we're so far apart as I'd love to see him in action. Presumably it was entirely instinctive, or were you able to specifically encourage him?

We've trapped almost 50 in the few couple of years but they just keep coming in from the neighbouring fields. A friend has suggested some sort of sonic gizmos that stick in the ground around the boundary and deters them from entering, but I'm rather dubious about such things.

Well done Albert Herring!our ginger tom freddo does not understand why he is praised for catching moles but told off for bringing in blue tits and voles!

Yes, that's the dilemma with cats.

 

[tobydog]

I could also use his services if he was more selective. Due to working in London I don't see our garden from Sunday night to the following Saturday morning. Got up to find 8 mole hills in the front lawn. Unfortunately Mrs. Tobydog has a soft spot for them and promptly giggled :lol:. For me there is no love lost :x I could see the soil moving in what appeared to be the end hill so I crept down armed to the teeth for a fight. I had a one in four chance of working out which way the tunnel went and I missed him. It's not easy despite thinking all the hills line up. The clocks have now changed so I looked this morning and no new activity. I know it's only a matter of time.

 

[Feltwell]

Poor old moles. No one likes 'em except me (but then they don't dig my garden up - hmm, maybe that's why they don't...... :idea: )

A picture I've posted before, but "giving the moles a headache" used to be a favourite activity round these 'ere parts.

 

[Penners]

Dear Joce, I've come rather late to this thread, and I'm so sorry to hear of your distressing incident. I'm afraid I've made some rather tasteless jokes about your birds, from time to time, but I'm horrified at what you and they have suffered.

There's not much I can add to what others have said, other than than to say that (as I'm sure you know) it's not the dog's fault. It's the owner's. Dogs are hunters and no amount of training will expunge that instinct from them. The owner should have been exercising proper control over his dog. I do hope that you have no trouble getting the necessary compensation from him for your costs, although this won't of course compensate you for the distress.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thank you for your kind words of sympathy Mr P. Much appreciated.

The owner came to my door this morning. His wife died the day after the dog attack; she was killed in a car accident. He looked a very broken man; I believed his story. He pressed the cheque into my hand, despite my saying I couldn't possibly take it under the circumstances. I won't pay it in though.

This isn't the first time a curse of mine has worked out with tragic consequences. I wonder if perhaps Vicky added a curse too which made the cosmic revenge a bit overblown?

Joking apart, it really is a sad tale altogether. He was genuinely sorry and I can't imagine he'd let it happen again.

 

[Penners]

He pressed the cheque into my hand, despite my saying I couldn't possibly take it under the circumstances. I won't pay it in though.
...He was genuinely sorry and I can't imagine he'd let it happen again.

I think you should pay it in. His loss is terribly tragic, poor chap, but isn't at all relevant to the event with his dog. The fact that he's lived up to his word and compensated you may be important to his self-esteem and may salve his conscience.

I can understand your reluctance but - speaking for myself - I would accept the payment.

 

[skier-hughes]

Pay it in and send it off to the county air ambulance.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, gosh, I hadn't really thought about the whole self esteem thing. So difficult. Skier's idea is pretty good - and let him know that too.

I'll talk it over with Chris tonight.

 

[Moo]

A donation to the Air Ambulance is a splendid idea - it will salve your conscience as well, and do a great deal for his self-respect.

 

[Flyfisher]

How awful. Fate certainly has a way of putting things into perspective.

I agree with the previous sentiments; cash the cheque but tell him your plans for the money. Perhaps even ask him which charity he'd like the money to go to. Very sad.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I agree with the give the money to charity idea. I don't want furhter conversation with him, so I'll pay it in, pay Air Ambulance, and send him a copy of the "We received your payment" email.
Many thanks. xxx