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March 26, 2013

Close Encounters Of The Bird Kind

Winter is certainly taking its sweet time leaving Chicago.  The waterline at the dog beach looks like it belongs in the Arctic Circle. Eko “The Ice Breaker” refuses to let the mini-glaciers slow him down Nevertheless, there are a few signs that spring weather

Winter is certainly taking its sweet time leaving Chicago.  The waterline at the dog beach looks like it belongs in the Arctic Circle.

Rhodesian ridgeback, adventure

Eko “The Ice Breaker” refuses to let the mini-glaciers slow him down

Nevertheless, there are a few signs that spring weather must be near.  And while the dog beach was deserted of dogs, there were some new friends for Eko to check out.

Rhodesian ridgeback, adventure

It’s been a long time since Eko’s seen any ducks, so he was enthralled by the large flock a couple dozen yards off the beach

Rhodesian ridgeback, adventure

Eko decided to introduce himself to a pair of ducks.  I was certain they would fly away before he got anywhere near them

Rhodesian ridgeback, adventure

But Eko very calmly approached the two without making any sudden moves.  They watched him closely but didn’t seem bothered

Rhodesian ridgeback, adventure

I couldn’t believe how close he got!  There he was, just a few feet from the ducks, perfectly still.  I have no idea what his plans were, but they were quickly put to rest when the female duck started to chase Eko!

Rhodesian ridgeback, adventureSome tough guy Eko is!  The loud quacking and wing flapping sent Eko packing with his tail between his legs

Eko is indifferent to squirrels, loves chasing rabbits and geese but apparently wants to make peace with ducks.  Not sure how that works.

Anyone else have a funny inter-species meeting story with their pet? 

Comments for Close Encounters Of The Bird Kind

  1. emma says:

    Poor guy already being submissive to the ladies 😉 and a duck at that!

  2. Uh Girls are dangerous… be careful Eko :o)

  3. Our boys follow the rules set down in their Jack Russell Terrier guidebook very closely, including their favourite, ” If it moves, chase it”. After a run in with some wild boar piglets and their protective mums, the boys have been a bit more selective about what they go after now 😉 They are very impressed by Stealth Eko, and may try out his tactics next time 🙂

  4. onebluedog says:

    I never met such a brave duck! I also do not understand this business about indifference towards squirrels 😉

  5. kdkh says:

    My large parrots try perching on the back of my poodle. He may be mellow, but isn’t interested in making friends with the big beaks. It freaks him out and he runs. Then they fly off– provided their talons aren’t stuck in his hair.

  6. Eko, don’t feel so bad about running from a duck. Grimm was trying to make friends with a mother hen once and got the chicken beating of his life. So, Grimm wanted me to tell you that there is no shame in running. The fowls can be evil and mean! It is funny, however, to see a big Ridgeback (or, in my case a pit bull) run from a bird about a tenth their size (if that). Something scary about those feathers, I guess!

    Here’s Grimm’s encounter if you’re interested:
    http://grimmsfurrytail.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/cock-and-pit-bull-story/

  7. BOL Eko, can’t believe you ran from the duck!!

  8. catchatcaren says:

    Tell Eko to watch out for geese, especially MOTHER GEESE! They are vicious!

  9. Jorie says:

    It’s so funny that most dogs simply don’t know what to do when they “catch” whatever animal they’re stalking. Growing up, my childhood dogs would chase geese in the park. Once, one injured goose couldn’t get off the ground to fly, and my dog Jink nudged it with his snout and kinda stared at in disbelief, then looked back to us, and did the dog equivalent of a shrug and trotted away. Australian Shepherds are herders but definitely not retrievers 🙂

  10. Boomdeeadda says:

    LOL, Eko you just made my day! Our Buddy would sit on the lawn and just watch a momma Canada Goose march her tribe of 20 little ones up our boat launch and lunch and poop all over our yard. I’d come out and give him the ‘Really, you’re just going to sit there?” look and scoot them all over to the neighbours yard…ha 😉 but they didn’t like it there much because it was all weeds.

  11. Jura says:

    Cute story and must be great fun in the ice. Tala has to walk the gauntlet to our park with chickens defending chicks and cocks defending hens – needless to say she rushes past them! The funniest encounter though was when she met a goat tied up outside our pub destined for the pot (this is Vietnam! At least the meat is fresh!) She has tried to make buddies several times and can never understand why they keep changing…. After a recent head-butt however she has now decided that they too are unpredictable and must be hurried past in order to get to some horn-less same species friends! Pictures here:

    http://juraphotos.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/goldmalt-and-goats/

  12. Dawn says:

    That is so funny! I dont understanding it myself. Pierson will chase anything while Maya will only chase rabbits and squirrels. She is scared of cats and is indifferent to birds. Despite her breed, she wouldnt be very good at duck hunting. :0)

  13. Chopper's mom says:

    Will,
    Be glad Eko got spooked. When I was a kid, I once had to swim out 1/2mi to catch my Springer Brandy, who was convinced by a sneaky duck that he was going to catch him. Every time Brandy got close, the duck would swim out a few more feet. I think this duck had does this before.

    Currently, we have a red fox who thinks our deck is great. Chopper is very ofended! Despite his best attempts to catch the fox he’s been bested. This week he got a face full of slush when the snow bank gave out. I wish I had gotten it on video.

  14. Those are some trusting ducks…fantastic pictures. The long winter does not seem to be bothering Eko any he is having fun cold, snow, ice and all. Hugs and nose kisses

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