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

["Donna Coffman" <dcoffman@erols.com>]

What a wonderful story.  I had to read so quickly to find out what happened
-- hoping Patou was okay.  At the end, I sighed with relief to know he was
okay and successful in what he was bred to do.
Thanks for sharing and keep them coming.
Donna


----------
> From: Adrienne Wilder <draggon@stc.net>
> To: pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org
> Subject: [PyrNet-L] Midnight battle on the Pasture front.
> Date: Tuesday, October 06, 1998 7:12 PM
> 
> 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.