Since our porcupine woes are still not over, we spent a hour or two clearing out the dead pine at the back of the fields. It seems to be a hot spot for dog sniffing, and prime habitat for porcupines.
All clear - no sign of quills, though, only needles.
We were tired, sweaty and sap-covered when we came inside, and because it felt like what was supposed to happen, discussions of dinner ensued. "I just feel like having a beer right now," I said. 'I'm not even really hungry," J added.
There was a moment of realization that we had no one else to consider in our plans. When you are a parent, a "homemaker" that takes the role to heart, the presence of the kids is an obligation to produce, to perform. Set an example, have dinner on the table, sit down together, pay attention, mind your manners.
I had a beer. Later on J opened a bag of peanuts. That was it.
You always hear about kids who can't wait to get out of the house and on their own so they are no longer under the watchful eye of mom and dad. I haven't heard so much about mom and dad chilling out because they no longer have to be under the watchful eye of their children. Maybe that's a little insider's secret that you don't find out until after the fact.
Maybe sometimes the empty nest means beer and peanuts for dinner.
Yum. Regarding the porcupines, at the risk of belaboring the subject, have you considered electric collars as a means of training the recalcitrant members of the pack. They would be effective if you could catch a porcupine and then expose it to the dogs...giving them a mighty shock every time they approached it. My dog learned very quickly. I could bring our collar if we manage to make it on the 21st. Want to try?
ReplyDeleteI'll think about it, thanks. Unfortunately it wouldn't work unless we actually locate another porcupine. No luck for the last 2 days.
ReplyDeleteAnd the desired end result is to return to our practice of letting the dogs out to roam freely. Without a human being present, collar button in hand, your electric collar is useless, right?
I still think a collar for the porcupine would be the best option...
ReplyDelete...and the most satisfying.
Regarding the collar...once the dog is trained to avoid the unpleasant stimulus (electric shock to the neck BEFORE going after porky) you shouldn't need to be present, though smart dogs might need the reminder of the collar around their necks. This assumes that the even more unpleasant stimulus of having quills removed is to far removed from the pleasant stimulus of attacking a porcupine as to e inconsequential. With respect to JPW's option, there is the minor issue of applying the collar to the porcupine.
ReplyDelete