Digging on the Dogs

Misto checks out something alive in a pipe.

Moxie's turn next.

Raccoon snared out and released unharmed.

Nate T. and Peppper

Yesterday was a big day for Moxie, who met her first raccoon in a very shallow pipe (as did Misto).  It was also Moxie's birthday and she came into heat.

All in all a great day in the field with Nate T. and his dogs Pepper and Rags who did most of the substantive work pressing the raccoon to a stop end. Lots of holes for the dogs to explore, but the ground was as soft as butter, and the groundhogs were able to dig away in the absence of a really small experienced worker. She's coming! The raccoon, of course, could not dig away. Along with ducks, several great blue herons, and a painted turtle, we also busted a really large red fox (almost certainly a dog) running down the bank, and Nate got his picture taken with Jeter, the farmer's very friendly Bull.

A few more sessions in the field, and both Moxie and Misto should be making quantum leaps. I have held them back a month or two, largely because Moxie is so small that I want to make sure her brain and attitude are locked in place, and a few months can make a world of difference in that regard.