Thursday, May 3, 2012

Two Different Perspectives

Are Beagles birddogs? They hunt. Rabbits, according to research. And pheasants, based on a book which I own. But does that qualify Beagles as birddogs? Yes, I suppose it does!! What about Beagle crosses? Are they birddogs, as well? Rose seems to think so!! We have encountered this beautiful, exotic-looking bird. "He" is medium-sized. This bird has black stripes like a Zebra's painted on his sides. I love that about him!! Seriously!! He has an ebony marking which wraps flawlessly around his chest and eyes that makes him look like a bandit, or something. Yep!! Bright orange feet and beak complete this unique bird. He looks as though his "great escape" was from our local zoo!! Honestly!! His "call" is equally peculiar. And noisy!! Best as I can describe it, when this bird opens his beak, he lets out something that sounds like a dying car engine!! Not so pretty!! The moment Rose first caught sight of him, during an afternoon walk, her brown velvet-soft ears perked. My mongrel's forehead furrowed. And Rose's pink tongue licked her lips. She thought he was food!! This is a game bird, according to our research. If Beagles hunt fowl--and Rose shows some strong tendencies of acting like the hound dog--then it only makes sense!! Right? So, as I stood, stock-still, completely mesmerized by this unique bird, my perspective was: Oh, he's beautiful!! I've never seen anything like him before!! What is he? Quail? Wild chicken? Where did he come from? Rose had an entirely different perspective!! Her thoughts went more like this: Mmmm.... This looks like a tasty meal!! Yummy, yummy, yummy!! Look at that meat!! Can I catch it? Can I? Can I? Can I? Let me at it!! Really, Rose? Is food all you can think about? Sometimes I feel like we are Han Solo and Chewbacca from "Star Wars"!! You know, the Harrison Ford line: "Great, Chewy. Great.... Always thinkin' with your stomach."? It is perfect!! Not that I am complaining. Trust me. I am not!! I embrace and celebrate my "food-lovin'" little girl!! Every day!! This exotic-looking creature has hung around, despite being completely out of his environment. Whenever I am walking Rose, her ears perk and forehead furrows. As he hops around in a chicken-like gait, she seems intensely fascinated!! So.... Are Beagles birddogs? They hunt. Rabbits, according to research. And pheasants, based on a book which I own. But does that qualify Beagles as birddogs? Yes!! It does!! And, can instinct be so potent that canines are birddogs even sans training? Does it come naturally, like Rose's high-pitched baying? And, are Beagle crosses birddogs? Mine seems to be!! For Rose and I certainly have two different perspectives when it comes to that game bird!!   

20 comments:

Sketching with Dogs said...

Whenever I have seen Beagles, they always look as though they are on somethings trail, very intent, nose to the ground.
Rose must be following her natural instincts to be so interested in the birds around her. Believe it or not, Elliot is very interested in birds, specially the crows in the park - even though they are bigger than him!
Lynne x

Finn said...

That's funny! Sometimes I think Finn is a bloodhound, so you never know! :)

Mary Lou said...

Lynne....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Rose may be part Beagle, this fact I know about my "Mystery Dog"!! And, although she sniffs around more than our other dog Shadow did, Rose is not always on something's trail!! Strange, huh? When she is in our backyard, Rose "chooses" the squirrels for chases, and seemingly respects them when they are eating!! ;)
But this game bird certainly does trigger her natural instincts!! ;op
You just put a very amusing image in my head.... Elliot the tiny Chihuahua chasing pesky black crows!! I am laughing to myself now.... ;-}

Mary Lou said...

Finn....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Hey.... I thought that Finn was a beautiful, wavy-furred Golden Retriever!! Seriously?! Is Finn a Bloodhound "at heart"?! You never know.... ;-}

Alison said...

Kudos on the Star Wars reference LOL. I have a neighbor that has a Beagle/ Jack Russell Terrier mix and she barks and howls at every bird she sees.

Smile With Your Tail said...

Rose is sounds like such a fascinating girl! :)

Mary Lou said...

Alison....
Thank-you for commenting!!
Yeah, my "Star Wars" reference was, brilliantly, spur-of-the-moment!! I have zero idea where it came from, actually!! But I do, seriously, feel like Han Solo and Chewbacca sometimes with my "food-lovin'" girl!! ;op
A Beagle/Jack Russell Terrier mix?! Wow.... Talk about a double dosage of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder!! Your neighbor's canine sounds adorable, though. ;-D

Mary Lou said...

Two Doodles and a Dane....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Well, I think that Rose is a fascinating girl!! ;op

KSO said...

Hello! Thank you for commenting on my blog, Betty the Bichon, I just became a new follower. I think Rose is absolutely gorgeous and definitely "beautifully unique"- have a great weekend

Mary Lou said...

KSO....
Thank-you for commenting!!
Your welcome!! It was my pleasure!! And thank-you for becoming a Follower of my blog!! Yay!! You are "Number 23"!! ;-D
Have a great weekend, yourself!! ;op

Maxmom said...

Oh the mysteries of that creature called 'Dog'.
Enjoy your special companion.
With love
MAXMOM IN SA

Mary Lou said...

MAXMOM....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"Oh the mysteries of that creature called 'Dog'.". What a neat thing to write!! ;op

Remington said...

We all have a different idea of bird watching, I guess.... I just like to look at them....but lots of my friends think differently....nothing wrong with that!

3 doxies said...

Okays, dis is right up my alley! I has hads absolutely no training in hunting and I loves to hunt and I be very good at it...it's all instinct passed down from da ancestors...we was bred to hunt badgers. You can't breed out these kinda stuffs.
So what I is sayin' is dat Rose do be a bird dog indeed. Maybe it's all just about da hunt and not da food...that's how it is withs me.

Puddles

Stacey said...

sorry about being missing! Had to say how I love that you've added Rose's paw print in the side bar - where did you have that done?
Great post, as always :-)

Mary Lou said...

Remington....
Thank-you for the comment!!
True. There is nothing wrong with different thinking!! In many cases, having friends that do not behave the way you would, broadens your horizon!! ;op

Suka said...

Thank you for commenting on my blog. It is nice to meet you! Rose Elizabeth is a beautiful dog, and her name is so pretty!

None of my dogs had ever been trained in hunting but for some of them, when they saw a rabbit or squirrel or any little creature they were off and usually caught their pray. I think instinct is very powerful, especially when it comes to food, which is survival. My current dog, Suka, does not really hunt but does catch bunnies and other little animals now and then. I love your quote from STAR WARS. :->

K and Suka

Mary Lou said...

Puddles....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Yes.... I think that Rose being a birddog is inbred!! I just never knew this until our very unique-looking friend visited us!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Stacey!!
Oh, I have missed you!! I always do.... ;)
I just added Rose's paw print stepping stone picture last night!! You are very observant.... I like that!! ;-D
I did it!! Last June!! I had previously received a cement Stepping Stone Kit for Christmas.... And, with a little cooperation by Rose, I made it!! ;op
Shadow had one done, too....

Mary Lou said...

K and Suka....
Thank-you for the comment!! I truly appreciated it!! ;)
You are welcome for commenting on your blog!! ;-]
Aw, thanks.... I think that Suka is a pretty name, as well.... I have never heard of it before!! So unique.... ;-D
Yeah, my "Star Wars" reference was, brilliantly, spur-of-the-moment!! I have zero idea where it came from, actually!! But I do, seriously, feel like Han Solo and Chewbacca sometimes with my "food-lovin'" girl!! ;op