Vicki Fox > Guests > PEI Foxes > 1995 Journal 3Q

PEI Foxes - 1995 Journal : July to September

1 Jul

(7:30 pm) No sightings.

The team of 6 loggers were supposed to finish today, but the rain drove them out. They'll finish Monday. That will cut down on traffic considerably. The hauling starts next week but those are huge articulated trucks that will only make 2 trips a day. We now think the mother had just moved them from birth den to hollow log den the weekend we came. That was also when the logging started. The birth den is secluded and she would have been better off leaving them there. All the sudden traffic probably forced her to move.

We got a good look at the back side of the hollow log den today. About 4 separate entrances that we can see. Since pups disappeared into brush on top of den last week, assume there are more entrances hidden in brush that we can't see.

2 Jul

(7:30 pm - 8:00 pm) Spare rib fat and bones were on the menu tonight. Male fox right behind us "vacuuming" as we went along. He didn't like the bones, but cleaned all meat and fat from them, leaving the bone behind. Since he seems to be eating everything on the spot and carrying nothing back we are going very light on the amount of food. Got some video.

3 Jul

(7:10) Surprised the golden boy back by the 2nd turnaround. He gave a mighty jump (picture cartoon with all four legs flat out in the air) and landed in the brush. One could almost hear him saying "m'gosh, didn't realize it was 7:30 already" . . . which of course it wasn't. Waited with camera in hand, but he outfoxed me tonight.

4 Jul

Early morning trip back thru woods. Great excitement when we saw a baby rabbit by the hedgerow past the log den. First rabbit Tom's seen on the property in many years. From extinction in the area, it's a thrill to know our efforts in the woods are bringing them back. The other night saw a mother partridge and her little chick pecking around the road by the brook. Fresh fox scat by 2 feeding areas. A thank you note?

6 Jul

(8:10 pm) After having made up my mind "no view - no treats" we parked the car with a partial view of 3 feeding areas. Golden Boy came trotting down the road to the mound by the brook. We drove down and left cooked carrotts and the tough bits of roast beef there. We quickly backed up to an area that gives a good camera angle and left tidbits there.

7 Jul

(8:05 pm) Parked in the field by the brook. Golden Boy approached cautiously. The most remarkable thing . . . I called "kit kit" and threw out pieces of sugared donut and he didn't run away. My voice and talking to him did not frighten him at all. Since only a crumb had been left at 2 other feeding areas, we hoped he would come back to where he had seen me throw the food. Sure 'nuff, he did. He came to within 8 feet of the car which was the boldest he had been. His coat is pretty ratty; the shedding process is well under way.

Correction: After viewing the video we realize first fox was Golden Boy and the second fox was White Hips who came close to the car. Oh joy! Maybe she is checking out the area to see if she can bring the pups back.

8 Jul

Drove on part of Upper and all of Lower Spring Roads since Tom graded it. Osprey not shrieking as much but still giving notice of her displeasure.

(7:55 pm) White Hips waiting for us by hollow log den. Don't know if it was the sound of the car or my calling "kit kit" that brought her out of the brush. She trotted down the road toward the chicken/bologna/muffin bits when I stepped out of the car to toss more bits. It scared her and she jumped into the brush. When she jumped in, a startled rabbit jumped out and ran down the road. (Never realized how close cartoons were to real life.) We were curious to see if the fox would chase this food source and were surprised when she did not. She came back to the tid bits and ate them. When gone, she looked at us for more. I tossed some, but it landed too close to the car and she wouldn't approach.

(8:10 pm) We left a few food bits by T junction before brook. After a few minutes Golden Boy showed up. He was wary of us being so close, but still cleaned up all the tid bits after several retreats into the brush. When finished, he marked the spot by lifting his leg as he loped toward the brook.

9 Jul

(8:45 pm) PEPPER RETURNS! On our way back to the house from the circuit with no sighting. Depressed because we leave tomorrow for 2 weeks. On the hill, behind the house, as soon as the car got near, out from under the spruce trees came Pepper and s/he waited in the road for us. It had been raining all day and his coat was wet - in fact he looked like a drowned rat. I braved the mosquitos, got out of the car, called "kit kit" and s/he ran right up to me. S/He had a feast of 2 small milk bones (broken up) and a dog yummy. Absolute recognition on Pepper's part; just like old times. Spent a good 20 minutes. S/He's at the very gawky awkward stage where s/he's all legs. What a going away present. Asked Pepper was Abby was - no response. Asked where they had been - no response. Told her/him I would be gone for 2 weeks - no response. Don't care - it was thrilling to see one of the pups again.

26 Jul

Got to the farm at 6:30 pm. Unloaded groceries, changed clothes, defrosted a cranberry muffin and was back to hunt for the foxes by 7:15 pm. Left food bits and called "kit kit" at all the places we've ever used to let them know we were back. Made a trip back around the circle road and on the way out by the back fields Pepper jumped out in the road as soon as he heard the sound of the car. I got out and he ran right up to me. Gave him (it's probably a 'her' but right now think of him/her as 'him') bits of muffin, stretching it out as long as I could stand the mosquitos (hot muggy night, rain on the way). Pepper is truly at the gawky adolescent stage; all legs, thin body with no winter coat yet, and not much brush to the tail. He's getting more red on the crown of his skull, but no red showing thru the grey on the body. All legs velvety black up to the shoulders and stifles. A little white patch on the back of the left ear. There was a sharp bark from the brush and Pepper looked like teenagers do when their parents show up. Much movement in brush but couldn't see who it was. Cannot believe my good fortune that he showed up on our first night back after being gone 2 weeks. Ah bliss!

27 Jul

I no sooner got the car door open than I heard a whirring sound in the field of barley next to the car. I looked, and Pepper was racing thru the grain to get to the road in front of the car. I fed him sliced apple and bologna. He seemed intrigued by the apple. Last night and tonite I'm saying 'bye bye' when it's time to start the car again. Tonite he seemed to get the idea as he backed away when I said it, but still didn't dive for the brush until the motor started. No sign of Abby, ShyLass nor the adults. Guess they're leaving the field clear for Pepper. Lots of white on Pepper's cheeks and under jaw, same as White Hips has.

28 Jul

Tonite's menu is pea mash (from making pea soup), cooked carrot bits, and potato bread. Got to the first feeding area and no foxes. Called "Kit Kit" and 20 - 30 seconds later Pepper came galloping up and skidded to a stop in front of me. He loved the bread bits, ate the carrots and sniffed and refused the peas. The experts who say foxes love veggies haven't checked with mine. Could never get any of my kids to like peas either. Drove to the mound by the brook and as I was tearing pieces of bread to leave, there was Pepper on the mound at eye level with us in the car. Once again, he ate the bread and ignored the peas. Drove on to the ledge in the loop road, and Pepper was waiting for us as we pulled up. Didn't even try peas this time. Went over the new lower spring road and the Osprey nest had no one sitting in it, and no shrieking overhead. Chick (?) must have hatched and gone.

After completing the circuit and on the way out, Pepper was waiting by the brook. When he/she sits we don't see any testes which should be visible by now. However, we haven't had more than a 2 second look, so still don't know the sex.

29 Jul

(7:15 pm) Got to the T junction and sat in the car with the motor running for about 30 seconds. No fox. Turned the motor off, got out, and called "kit kit". Pepper came dashing up the road from the brook. Running so fast it looked like the hind legs reached in front of the front legs. About 20 yards away I said "Pepper, Pepper, hello Pepper". He leaped and did a full circle in the air, landed and kept on running without breaking stride. (A double axel???) He came up to me and thoroughly enjoyed the donut bits. Ate about 6 Cheerios before deciding that was too healthy, and turned up his nose at the very ripe strawberries. Interesting that all of the pea mash was gone from the area. I squatted down to chat a bit and so did he. I got a good look at Pepper's underside (wish Tom had been along) and could see no appendage. Will now think of Pepper as she. When I said "bye bye" she left the road and went into the brush. It's either the words, or my action of getting into the car. However, she stayed by me during our meeting when I poked my head in the car for cheerios and strawberries.

She raced me to the mound by the brook and got another donut piece. I left 3 donute pieces by the ledge in the loop road and drove on back to the 2nd turnaround. All last nite's food was gone (even the 2 cups of pea mash we had left) and in its place was a very loose, shiny, coal black scat. Left 2 pieces of donut, 6 Cheerios and some strawberries. I think the adults are cleaning up what Pepper doesn't eat.

Coming out when I crossed the brook, there was Pepper lying on top of the mound just waiting. It made her higher than the top of the car so she could look down on me. We spent some time talking and I threw her some donut crumbs. One crumb fell down on the road next to the car. Pepper started after it when a sharp fox bark sounded from the brush on the other side of the road. Pepper jumped back to the top of the mound with no argument.

30 Jul

(6:00 pm) Took grandchildren for a ride back in the woods on my golf cart. I stopped it and was talking and Pepper jumped out of the brush. I had no treats with me, doggone it. She followed us to across the brook, where I turned around and went home. Got some dog treats and went back in the car. At the T junction Tom turned the motor off and I calld "kit kit". Had to call for about a minute and a half when up she came on a trail from the brook. I sat on the front bumper and gave her treats as we talked. As she sat, Tom got a look and also thinks Pepper is female. At the T junction my "bye bye" caused her to leave the road completely. At the brook my "bye bye" did nothing as there was still a crumb of treat in the road. We had to start the car before she moved off. The grandchildren were estatic.

All the strawberries from everywhere were gone - except a few left at the 2nd turnaround. The scat that was left there is drier tonite and I could see some strawberry (or some red berry) in it. That's probably why mine were no treat.

31 Jul

George and Nancy Stephens from the alt.animals.foxes newsgroup are here on the Island for their honeymoon. They accompanied me on the "fox hunt" tonight. Didn't see anyone but Pepper, but she was most cooperative in posing for them. She sat, stretched out, posed on the uphill, left, right, front, back, etc. What a ham. She was a little leary of strangers along at first, but I kept talking to her and she adjusted quickly. Fresh scat left on loop road. Lots of berry pips in it. Raspberries becoming ripe now and the woods is loaded with them. Expect to find lots of evidence of raspberries in scat from now.

1 Aug

(7:15 pm) So excited I can hardly type. Abby returned with Pepper tonite. Pepper met us at the T junction. She was waiting for us. Ham bits and boiled potato was the table d'hote and Pepper enjoyed both. She followed the car to the mound by the brook for another piece of potato. When we got to the ledge in the loop road I waited for 30 seconds after leaving the food and Pepper and Abby both showed up. I got out of the car and called "kit kit" and Abby came out of the brush. I threw a piece of potato and both foxes went for it. Abby nose-pushed Pepper out of the way with some gekking (clacketing snarling) and Pepper bowed her head in submission. However, every time after when both were going for the same piece of ham or potato, Abby allowed Pepper dominance. It seems absolutely unbelievable, but Abby actually took steps toward me when I called her name. It must be coincidence, tho I would like to believe otherwise. She certainly remembered "kit kit" as she would raise her head and look for food to be thrown when I said it. They collided over the last milk bone thrown and more nose-pushing (no barging nor hip slamming yet) and Abby gave way to Pepper. Spent about 15 minutes taking photos and tossing food before the mosquitos drove me away.

I tossed a stick I had found to Pepper to see if she wanted to play the stick tossing game I have observed kits play with each other. She picked it up, but put it down right away. I think the stick was too long.

Abby is a gorgeous red. She's the same size as Pepper. To be truthful I was so excited I didn't look for the beginnings of adult markings. Will take the video camera tomorrow night so I can study the tape upon my return.

On the way out Pepper was waiting by the T junction. She wasn't particularly interested in milk bone; in fact, she refused it. I was confused until I started the car for home. She ran after it, keeping up. I thought "my gosh . . . she's playing the tag game that last year's litter taught me." I stopped and she pulled up next to the car grinning. Then she pulled ahead and I had to chase her with the car. She ran in the grain next to the road rather in the road as last year's litter did. I put on a burst of speed and pulled abreast of her and she stopped and let me go ahead and then chased the car again. Last year's grey pup (Geeorge [ette]) would play this game all thru the woods with me. I always tired of it first.

Two huge breakthroughs tonite. Could I ask for anything more!!!!!!

2 Aug

What a night! 7:15 pm the Stephens accompanied me on the fox hunt. We stopped at the T junction and I had to call for a few seconds before Pepper came racing up the road to sample a few bites. She then followed us to the mound by the brook, and then on to the ledge in the loop road. I called "kit kit" for a minute or two while Pepper was eating ham bits and soon Abby came running down the road. There was much snarling between the two as they lunged for the food. Abby always showed submission; ears back, head lowered. Several times Pepper did a half-hearted hip slam (like she hasn't learned to do it yet) and at one point they were both on their hind legs flailing their front paws at each other with accompanying vocalization. After that Abby knew her place and let Pepper go first. I would toss food bits left and right so each could chase in a different direction. As they would sit and wait for the next toss Pepper would "rrruffff" to get my attention; he was, I'm sure, saying "toss it this way". This happened 4 or 5 times. Pepper refused milk bone and Abby was grateful to have it . . . in the beginning. Then she, too, waited for real treats. Coming back out, however, the milk bone was gone so they must have settled for it after we left.

Abby has a white stifle on her right rear leg and light coloring down the back of the left rear leg. She only has black up the front of her rear legs, whereas Pepper's rear legs are black up to the stifles. Abby has pronounced white cheeks and a white throat. She has a girdle of light grey over her back at the hips (like hip huggers of the 1970's). Much the same markings as White Hips has.

3 Aug

Stopped at the T junction and called for about 20 seconds before Pepper can running up on the road from the brook. I tossed some bread before she got to me and she actually raised dust as she skidded to a stop. At the next stop Tom got the car so close to the mound by the brook that Pepper almost fell thru the car window as she jumped for a piece of bread. (Possibilities of a frisbie fox here?) We got to the ledge in the loop read and though I kept calling, Abby did not show up. Just Pepper. Maybe Pepper established so much dominance last nite, Abby is afraid. On the other hand, even tho the grandchildren tried to be quiet, the 2 yr old would echo my "kit kit".

We came back via the loop road and Tom stopped and I called "kit kit" softly. Pepper usually waits for us by the brook on our way out and I didn't want her to hear me, just Abby if she was near. After 30 seconds or so Abby came crashing thru the brush on the brook side of the road and ran across the road to the ledge. A few bits of sugared donut to welcome her back. We continued renewing our friendship for about 5 minutes when suddendly I saw Pepper at the end of the road. Evidently we were taking too long to return so she came to see what was up. When she saw we were feeding her redheaded sister she literally flew down the road to me. She and Abby dashed for the same piece of bread and Pepper snarled and try to hip slam her. Pepper missed and ended up with her leg over Abby's head. Hilarious! There Pepper is, hung up on Abby, eating the food, and Abby looking wistfully out between Pepper's legs. Abby showed complete submission. She spent most of her time on the ledge and if I didn't throw food directly in front of her Pepper would get it. I thought I was being cagey in throwing some bread off to the right and a piece of ham about a foot away from Abby. Pepper dashed to the bread - and with her mouth full of bread ran to the ham before Abby could get it. Her mouth was so full she had trouble getting it in, but snarled so Abby wouldn't get it. Near the end of our visit Abby did snarl Pepper away from a piece of ham and Pepper showed brief submission by putting her ears back, but did not lower her head. She was probably so full she didn't really want it.

Pepper did not play tag nor chase the car out tonite. We drove back with no fox companions. The bread on the sitting rock had not been touched. Forgot to say last nite that fresh scat had been left on the sitting rock. It was all wrapped up in grain or straw. Strangest looking scat I've ever seen. It almost looked like one of those rafia finger games.

5 Aug

(7:00 pm) Drizzly rain all day. Got to the T junction, no one there. Tom turned off the car motor and I got out and left some bread pieces, talking as I tore it into bits. Gave one call of "kit kit" and Pepper jumped out from behind me. It started to rain in earnest so I said "bye bye" and was just getting into the car when Abby came running up the road from the brook. She jumped off the road into the tall grass and I could follow her passage up to the T junction by the waving tops of the grass. She and Pepper went for the same piece and Abby gekked at Pepper and Pepper pulled back and let Abby win this round. They both would sit and "rrrrruffff" at me to get my attention. Abby stayed just off the road in the grass, while Pepper was at my feet. I tossed one piece to Abby and she jumped and got it in the air. They both have frisbie talent. They kept muttering to each other as they ate. I crumbled the bread in very small pieces to make it last. They would "hoover" up the pieces and mutter under their breath. It wasn't gekking nor was it snarling. At one point they went for the same piece and they reared up on their hind legs, fllailing paws, with Pepper moving forward and Abby dancing backwards. Abby kept her distance after this, and Pepper's back was permanently arched. Neither of them like milk bone. Each of them would only eat it so the other wouldn't get it. They are both texture eaters and they much prefer soft textures.

The rain started in earnest so I said "bye bye" and got in the car. Pepper dashed down the road ahead of us as if showing us where the next feeding area was. When we got to the mound by the brook, Pepper was waiting on top. After a milk bone (refused) she jumped off and showed us the way to the ledge in the loop road. She got a tiny piece of bread (gobbled) and some cheerios (refused.) We went on to the 2nd turnaround and left milk bone there. Last nite's treats were gone.

Coming back thru the loop road and after the first hill and before the second hill which leads to the ledge, there is a 20 foot section of the road that is flat. Abby was waiting for us there. Smart girl - intercepted us before Pepper found us. She got the bread crumbs from the bowl and some milk bone pieces. She hoovered up the bread crumbs and only ate the milk bone as we drove away.

When we got to the brook crossing, Pepper was stretched out in the middle of the road. Just a picture of relaxed confidence. Was most unhappy at milk bone pieces. She chased the car to the sitting rock, where I had left 2 pieces of grandchild-uneaten cookie. She actually looked up and grinned when she tasted it. She chased us to the top of the hill behind the house where she got (ugh) another milk bone.

6 Aug

Late getting back (many here for dinner tonite) 7:30 p.m. Pepper waiting at T junction. I could see her as the car came down the hill - she looked like she was mentally tapping her foot. I barely got the car door open and she was at my feet. She had some children's uneated hamburger and hot dog. Abby arrived and Pepper started snarling before any food was tossed. Same aggressive behavior from Pepper as reported before. They each sat and "rrrruffffed" as I tossed them hamburger bun and meat bits. Drove on to the mound and Pepper leaped to the top just as we pulled up. She had two pieces of bun when her ears pricked up and she was at full alert. She spooked and ran. I looked behind me to see what scared her. Abby was placidly trotting down the road. Hard to believe Abby could scare her after being so intimidated at the T junction.

Got to the ledge in the loop road and Pepper and Abby both partook of meat and bun bits. Abby kept her distance from Pepper, but seemed determined to be a part of the action.

Drove on to the 2nd turnaround. All milk bone gone. Left some more. Coming out and on the main road between the 1st turnaround and the top of the loop road a little red kit was following along in the brush adjacent to us. I stopped the car and tossed food bits. She was really spooky - hardly like the Abby I've known. I wonder if it was ShyLass. The markings on the legs looked like Abby's but I *think* their were fewer white marks on the cheeks. She came up to about 3 feet, but the behavior was unlike Abby. Oh well, foxes can have moods too I guess.

7 Aug

(7:15 pm) Soy burger, boiled new potato and Crispex cereal tonite. Got to T junction and called twice. Pepper came running up the road. After a couple of bites her ears pricked forward and she stood at the alert. I could see the tops of the tall grass moving with the progress coming closer. It sounded like the cavalry. Abby jumped out as if to say "ta da". She and Pepper snarled at each other, but Abby just keeps out of Pepper's way. Pepper led us to the mound by the brook and after a bite of potato, stood at the alert again. Abby tried to make her way to the top of the mound and Pepper arched her back and made a very gutteral sound. Abby, being foxy, moved to Tom's side of the car and he fed her out the window with the car blocking Pepper's view. Pepper led us to the loop road but Abby didn't show up. The milk bone from the 2nd turnaround was gone, so left a healthy portion of soy burger (about 5 pieces) and some potato. Pepper was waiting in the loop road as we returned. I sat on the front bumper and Tom snapped a shot of Pepper coming between my feet for some potato. I WILL NOT feed her from my hand. Abby was waiting across the brook and got some treats before Pepper showed up. Poor Pepper really looks frazzled now that Abby keeps finding ways to circumvent Pepper's dominance. They kept a throat noise going - not quite a rrruffff, just a kind of canine purring. The both chased us back to the sitting rock, with Abby overtaking Pepper.

8 Aug

Harmony at last - at least for tonite. 7:15 pm - Abby and Pepper very cordial to each other at T junction. Gave each of them a chicken drumstick bone. Pepper ate hers immediately and Abby tried to cache hers. She needs lots of practice. She finally gave up and ate hers too. There must have been one heck of a party by the mound at the brook. Scat all over the road; 5 or 6 areas within a couple of feet. PLUS a dead field mouse in the road by the right tire track. Both Abby and Pepper flew past it showing me to the next feeding area. Left a half eaten drumstick by 2nd turnaround.

A very harrowing trip back out. Pepper met me at the top of the loop road and insisted on playing tag all thru the loop road. She would follow the car, I would stop, she would run ahead (sometimes trotting back to get me if I wasn't driving fast enough to keep up with her) and then repeat the process. To compound matters, Abby decided to play hide and seek at the same time. She kept jumping out of the brush at varous intervals. At the bottom of the loop road I threw out a hand full of Crispex and they gekked at each other but it was not aggressive. Driving past the mound the dead mouse was still there.

9 Aug

(7:10 pm) An adult at the T junction as I drove down, but disappeared into brush as I got close. Both Pepper and Abby there. They are extremely well behaved with each other now. Guess my little talk did some good. Nothing new with the pups - still following car or leading us to feeding areas. They listen as I talk, ears twisting forward. There was another fox somewhere in the area, as both Abby and Pepper were together but Pepper stayed at the alert and kept looking and listening to something unseen. Pepper chased us out.

The only thing new is there MUST be a fox convention going on. Scat, scat, and more scat. It's now scattered all along the road from sitting rock to T junction, new deposits on brook road, and all thru the loop road and past the 2nd turnaround.

10 Aug

(7:00 pm) Pepper was waiting at the T junction. Tom got out of the car to take some video and she kept turning toward the camera. The little ham probably associates the black box with an extra treat. Abby came for her share and the two were oh, so civilized. They will now gladly eat Cheerios when the alternative is stale bread. In the loop road Abby was courageous enough to beat Pepper to a piece of bread. Some gekking, but nothing like the vocalization of a week ago. Abby bowed her head, put her ears back flat, Pepper arched her back, and the ritual was satisfied. On our way out Abby met us at the end of the loop road and she got some Cheerios and I told her it would be a week before I saw her again. Pepper was waiting by the brook, so got the same farewell address. Pepper chased the car to the flat 40 feet before the sitting rock and then dashed ahead and was waiting for us on the rock when we arrived.

18 Aug

Got to the T junction about 7:00. Called "kit kit" for about a minute. Tom said "Here she comes" and though I couldn't see it from the road, Pepper was streaking thru the grain stubs. She sat before me and waited for each toss. Her face is all red now; the grey puppy (kit) undercoat only shows on the back, the hips, and a little on the shoulders. Her forelegs are typically black, with light streaks down the hocks of the back legs. She led us to the mound for a treat and on to the loop road.

As Tom and I drove back into the woods I said it would be interesting to see if she told Abby about the food source returning. As we got close to the road at the bottom of the field we could see Abby tearing for the loop road with Pepper behind her. They were confused at the car coming down beside the hedgerow between the two fields. They ran back and forth a few times and finally waited in the road at the bottom of the field. Abby came as close as she ever has. The two are very cordial to each other and stay within 2 feet of the other unless I toss food farther to separate them. Pepper is somewhat larger than Abby, and moves faster for the food toss. Abby, however, has learned if she sits and waits I'll make sure she gets something. The two of them had some "conversational" type vocalization; not gekking, but more like 'get a load of this chicken'. Abby is starting to get a more adult look to her. Her ruff around the face is fluffing out beautifully.

A swath had been cut thru the middle field we were able to visit Sunset Ridge for the first time since June. I had a fair sized ham bone which I left on the flat rock there. We just started off when Pepper appeared. She danced, jumped, turned, twirled, and basically did her repertoire of gymnastics. Then she found the bone. She picked it up, ran, dropped it, picked it up again, dropped it (it was big), finally got a good grip and ran into the uncut grain. I thought it would take her ages to cache such a huge bone, but as we turned to go down to my sitting rock, there she was running next to the car. She flew over the brush and pounced on the sitting rock just as we got there.

At the top of the hill we emptied the bowl of all the bread crumbs. Pepper was there to "hoover" everything up.

19 Aug

(7:00 pm) At the mound by the brook Pepper was on top of the mound and I was tossing bits from the passenger side of the car. Abby came to the driver's side, and as done once before, Tom tossed her bits. Things went well until Pepper realized there was activity on the other side of the car. She went over there and started for a piece of soy burger that had been tossed to Abby. Abby gekked, snarled, and barged Pepper out of the way. Pepper ducked her head, put her ears back, and slunk back to the mound. So, Abby was definitely defending territory she had staked out for her own. At the ledge in the loop road Pepper was out in the road and Abby stayed on the ledge under the brush. This must be Pepper's domain. Coming out of the woods they met us by the brook and once again all was harmonious. Discovered they do not like Raisin Brand.

20 Aug

(7 pm) A neighbor's guest from Ontario accompanied me on the fox hunt tonite. Both foxes a little standoffish to have a stranger along. Pepper and Abby absolutely lost all sense of decorum at the T junction and were snapping at each other. Pepper kept running from wax bean to wax bean (they both love them) and standing over it just so Abby wouldn't get it. I threw Abby some boiled carrot in the brush and as Pepper went for it too, Abby reared up and pulled her lips back and let loose some language I'm sure would make a truck driver blush. This settled, all became harmonious again. At the loop road Pepper gekked at Abby and she snarled back . . . but did move out of the way. However, she came out into the road tonite instead of spending all her time on the ledge.

On the way out had a rousing game of tag with Pepper. The visitor couldn't believe it; it was such a structured game. Abby doesn't come out further than the T junction, but Pepper races the car to the top of the hill behind the house. She did her wonderful flying leap over the pile of stones by the sitting rock and then sat and posed for photos. She left new scat on the sitting rock for me. As Pepper was racing the car toward the sitting rock she pulled ahead by 2 car lengths and I was going 20 mph. Guess she's adult enough now to try for the 35 mph that grown-up foxes do.

I swear Pepper is getting redder by the day. Long red guard hairs showing on the spine now.

21 Aug

(7 pm) I can't believe I spent a fair amount of time scraping the kernals off tonite's left-over sweet corn for the foxes; and further, Tom spent an equal amount of time sawing the T bones from the steak into non-splinterable fox sized pieces.

Got to the T. Called "kit kit" and Abby came running up the fox path from the brook. We were alone with her for about 5 minutes so she actually got some steak and bread that Pepper didn't try to grab. Tom called out "there's Pepper" and I looked to the curve of the road from the brook and she was just sitting there. She didn't move until I said "come on Pepper, there's some for you too." It had to have been the sound of my voice because she came galloping up. (Pepper never does anything but what it's at full speed) The both liked the corn but it was difficult to eat on the road. Will save it for sitting rock. Abby was eating a small piece of bone and Pepper moved her piece to about a meter away. Then Pepper went over to see what Abby was eating. Abby frantically pawed the grass/dirt/clay as if to cache it. The ground is so hard even an adult would have trouble. Abby crouched with her ears back. I called "Pepper, Pepper, leave her alone." Pepper turned and came up to me for a piece of bread.

On to the mound where it is now established ritual that Abby stays in the road on the driver's side of the car and Pepper is on top of the mound with me tossing bits from the passenger side. At the loop road both arrived together. They both came up to within 12" of me. I tossed each of them the angle of the T bone. Abby ran into the brush with hers and Pepper stretched out to be comfortable as she ate hers immediately. Tossed Raisin Bran at the top of the loop road for the partridges.

Left bits at the 2nd turnaround. Last nite's food gone and fresh scat in place. Drove on around the circle road and found scat near the wild raspberry bushes there. First time we found scat that far back into the woods.

Coming out we found Abby waiting for us at the top of the loop road. The Raisin Bran was gone and Abby was sitting where it had been. She came right up to the car so I didn't get out but leaned over and tossed her a milk bone. At the turn of the road where it crosses the brook, Pepper was lying in the grass; hind end turned to the side, and front end posed like the Sphinx. Abby also came running up. Tom tried to feed Pepper from driver's side as I gave Abby some bits from my side. Didn't work - Pepper had to see what Abby was getting. Abby stayed in the brush so had to toss a piece of bread to her.

The evening race is another ritual now, I guess. Pepper chased the car to the top of the hill where she then runs ahead, over the rocks, thru the spruce trees to the sitting rock. It is so funny to watch her run at full speed; her head goes forward, her tail stretches back, and it appears all four legs are in the air at once. Very aerodynamic. We put on a burst of speed and reached the rock just as she did. Dumped the rest of the corn, which she enjoyed immensely.

22 Aug

(7:15 pm) Dinner guests accompanied me on fox hunt. Gale force winds tonight and dense smoke from Quebec forest fires blocking vision. Hard to believe that a fire hundreds of miles away could look and smell like it was across the road. Foxes very skittish tonight. Don't know if it's wind, fire, or guests. (Sounds like a rock group) The loved the leftover beans and the remains of the chicken. They only acted "normal" at the mound and the ledge in the loop road. Otherwise wouldn't come near. However, as soon as we got into the loop road we were blocked from the wind and the smoke and the guests were left in the car at the entrance, all was as usual.

On the way to the 2nd turnaround we saw 2 of the partridge chicks. Had left Raisin Bran at the normal partridge spots, but threw another handful to them as they crossed the road. Coming out we found Abby cleaning up all the Raisin Bran at the top of the loop road. Pepper went thru her usual ritual of chasing the car out and racing as soon as we got to the flat at the top of the hill. She crosses over into the field next to us and races next to the car. I slowed down to 10 mph, and she slowed down. I sped to 25 mph and she put on a burst of speed. Her head is thrust forward, front legs extended out in front and back legs stretched in back as she speeds along. It's almost like flying. We reached the sitting rock before her this time and she acknowledged our win with a little "woof" as she climbed onto the rock to eat her beans.

23 Aug

(6:00 - 6:45 pm) Went early tonite as we had dinner invitation. No one at T junction. Called "kit kit" for about a minute before Abby came trotting up the path from the brook. She was shaking her head as if to wake up. Her fur was mussed so I'm sure my call awakened her from her pre-dinner nap. We had a good 20 minutes together alone. She was most friendly. Came right up to me. Coming back from the 2nd turnaround found Abby at the top of the loop road with Raisin Bran stuck to her fur. Guess the partridges haven't a chance at it.

As we got to the flat at the top of the hill Pepper was strolling toward us. She looked amazed to see us and I could almost humanize her action as looking at a watch saying "it's not 7:00 yet". I sat on the front bumper and fed her. When we left she gave a fox-type shrug and raced the car to the sitting rock. Once again we varied the speed and she varied hers to stay abreast or just a little ahead.

24 Aug

(7 pm) Hard driving rain and thunderstorms all day. 60 Kph winds. More Tstorms and 90 Kph winds forecast for tonite and tomorrow morning. Wanted to give a good feed tonite in case weather too bad to hunt. Pepper waiting under a tree at the T junction. Rain slowed to a drizzle. Pepper's first experience with egg noodles. At first she treated them like a worm - trotting off with one noodle hanging from her mouth. Eventually she ate several at once. She coughed a couple of times. It was too soft to be a bark, so assume the noodle felt different going down. (At least I *hope* that's all it was) Gave her the bone from a drumstick and she demolished it in no time. A couple of pieces of chicken fat at the mound by the brook and then on the ledge in the loop road where Abby was waiting on the ledge under the spruce branches. Pepper doesn't seem to mind the rain, but Abby showed her distaste for getting her fur wet.

I threw out about a cup of noodles and Pepper went nuts trying to hover over all of them so Abby wouldn't get any. Pepper's back was arched and she literally tried to spread herself over them. She finally gave up due to the abundance. Abby would dash out between rain drops, get a few, and go back to the relative dryness of the spruce tree. I left both of them about a quarter of a chicken carcass (bones and fat) and went on to the 2nd turn around. Left another quarter of a chicken carcass here.

The rain stopped momentarily as we were coming out and Pepper was waiting at the bottom of the loop road. Traditionalist that she is, she insisted on the nightly ritual of chasing the car out. When we got to the flat at the top of the hill, she didn't like running in the wet grass. After about 4 yards she came back to the road and ran in front of the car. We slowed way down so as not to hit her. She got disgusted and kept running back to the car and then dashing ahead. When the distance between us was sufficient we would speed up, but as the gap closed we slowed down. Again, she would come back to the car and then race ahead. She did fly over the rocks and thru the lane of trees to the sitting rock. Here she got more noodles (ignored this time), some peas, and some left over dinner roll. Assume if she's hungry enough, she'll eat the noodles.

25 Aug

Violent gale force winds all day. 7 pm - Pepper was waiting for us at the T junction. She was very friendly, but kept looking off in the distance at the alert, ears pricked, standing tall after every bite of food. At the mound she stood at the top and kept looking at the corner field and listening in the distance. It was so spooky, I kept looking over my shoulder.

26 Aug

(7 pm) Pepper waiting at the T junction. All as usual - went on to the mound, etc. In the loop road Abby joined us. Both sat and "woof"ed for their treat. They really seem to want to converse - and signal to me with different vocalizations. New scat had been left on the sitting rock during our absence; it was loaded with seeds. I took it apart with a stick and there were more seeds than fecal matter.

27 Aug

(7:10 pm) Delayed in getting an early start tonite. Pepper was waiting for us just beyond the sitting rock and Abby was half way along the flat at the top of the hill. We kept driving to the T junction and they both chased along. An over-ripe pear was tonite's treat. They thoroughly enjoyed it, with much licking of the fur around the mouth to get every bit of juice. They kept up their running gutteral conversation with me. I talk all the time I'm feeding them, so perhaps they're giving me the answers to all my questions. All as usual at the mound with one fox on each side of the car. New scat on the way to the loop road. At the ledge in the loop road, Tom got out of the car to give them bits of baking powder biscuit. I wanted them used to him when I'm not here for longer periods in the fall. I kept talking as he fed them. Shouldn't have worried. Abby proved herself a shameless hussy by coming right up to him, coyly turning around so he could admire all sides, and pouncing prettily on each piece of biscuit. Pepper came too close and Abby flattened her ears, arched her back, and gekked.

28 Aug

(6:30 pm) Early tonite because of another engagement. Pepper waiting at T junction and Abby came trotting up path from brook as soon as I called "kit kit". Fresh (leftover) wax beans on the menu. On to the mound. Got photos of Abby (driver's side) and Pepper (on the mound) as they were eating a store-bought chocolate chip cookie. They raced us to the loop road where they got half an Oreo cookie. Pepper tried one piece and wouldn't eat anymore. She didn't like the frosting. Abby ate all the pieces tossed to her. So, it was back to wax beans. I tossed two handsfull in opposite directions about 6 feet apart. Once again Pepper raced from area to area to keep Abby from them. Abby was about to pick one up and Pepper did the old "rear leg over Abby's shoulders" move again. There is no hip slamming or barging between them, just occasionally Pepper's "rear nelson" move. Abby gekked to no avail. A little later Pepper ran for a bean that Abby already had in her mouth and Abby snarled her off. Pepper chased us out. She only clocked in at 18 mph on the flat during the race tonite. She's getting slower rather than faster.

29 Aug

(7 pm) Cooked carrotts and roast beef bits tonight. Pepper waiting at T junction. I called "kit kit" and 30 seconds later Abby came up fox trail from brook. All as usual. At the mound I was in the driver's seat and a friend in the passenger seat. Evidently my friend was not tossing carrotts fast enough to Pepper on top of the mound so she came around the car to see what Abby was getting on the other side. Abby snarled, charged Pepper, lodged her teeth in Pepper's neck and hung on as they both ran around the front of the car. Pepper quickly retreated to the top of the mound. At the ledge in the loop road both were extremely cordial to each other; almost like "Alphonse and Gaston" - the old comedy routine.

When we got to the sitting rock all the food as gone and Abby was waiting at the top of the hill by the spruce plantings where the road goes back to the house. We've *never* seen Abby here before. How did she know this was Pepper's last food stop? It's almost as if Pepper said "I've got a date tonite. Here's where you go and what you do to keep the old girl happy." Could it be that overnight Abby became dominant? Don't think it's possible at this age.

30 Aug

(12:00 noon) On Tom's way back to the woods an adult fox ran across the road between the spruce trees near the top of the hill behind the house. He couldn't see who it was it startled him so, but the size of the fox, the size of the tail, and the "fullness" of it all showed him it was an adult.

(6:50 pm) Pepper waiting for us at the top of the hill and raced us down to the T junction. Called "kit kit" and Abby came up the fox trail from the brook. Their "conversation" (to me?) consists of low throaty 'rff's; not sharp, but not elongated either. At the mound Tom was feeding Abby on one side and I was feeding Pepper on the other. After every toss Pepper would run to the front of the car (but no further) to see what Abby was having and then go back to the mound for another treat. The both chased the car to the loop road and Abby immediately went onto the ledge and under the branch of a spruce tree. Again, it took her several tosses to come onto the road. Pepper did the "rear nelson" move again. Abby showed very brief submission with ducking and ears back, but did not step back. She's getting bolder in holding her own. Brief gekking.

Coming out Abby was laying in the middle of the main road between the top of the loop road and the bottom. She got a few kernels of cereal and we drove on. As we passed the bottom of the loop road Pepper came running out. She chased the car out and raced us from the flat to the sitting rock.

Pepper got treats at the sitting rock, again at the top of the hill, and tonight for the first time followed the car down to the first rise in the hill. She sat there and watched us pull up to the back of the house.

Simon Gadbois says the wolves prefer a high pitched voice. Since mine is naturally low (and getting lower as I age) I have difficulty trying to pitch it higher. Too many cigarettes and late nites I guess. But, it was worth a try with the foxes. I tried a "falsetto" and both Pepper and Abby looked at me like I had lost my marbles. Guess I won't try it again.

31 Aug

(6:50 pm) Both Abby and Pepper were waiting at the top of the hill on the flat and raced us to the T junction. I had a few stale mini pretzels; Pepper tried two and refused the rest. Abby ate whatever was tossed to her. Had a little piece of ham that I cut into miniscule pieces for them. *That* they both enjoyed. Pepper chased Abby away from some bits with a snarl and raised hackles. Abby retreated.

In the loop road I was down to Capn Crunch cereal for treat. They love it. And, it truly crunches. They made more noise with one kernel of cereal than they do with a chicken bone. They both kept up their throaty conversation. They can be 6 - 8 feet apart while making this noise so it's not aggressive talk; more like yumm yumm or conversation.

Coming out Abby was prone in the middle of the main road at the junction with the bottom of the loop road. Her front paws were stretched out with her head resting on them. When we got up to her we could see Pepper trotting down from the ledge area. Had the heel of a hot dog bun which I crumbled and tossed. Abby got a piece before Pepper arrived. On the 2nd toss, both of them went for it. Abby pulled her lips back and snarled and Pepper backed off. Pepper chased us out and raced us to the sitting rock.

1 Sep

Late last nite Tom went up the hill to look at the stars. As his headlights hit the top of the hill and adult fox was racing across the field. Going very, very fast. Much fox barking last nite. It seemed to come from the brook. Either they were debating or trying to sing "Shall We Gather at the River."

(6:30 pm) Early tonite as another engagement. Had to call the foxes. Abby and Pepper very well behaved at T junction until I said "bye bye" and was walking to car. I don't know what set them off, but Tom said "look" and as I turned around, both were on their hind legs, front paws on each others shoulders, lips pulled back, and teeth bared. They kept this position for at least 30 seconds - with neither moving forward or backward. It looked as if they were in dance position, just wating for the music to start. Finally, simultaneously, they both dropped to all four legs. Neither showed submission nor did they move away from each other. Makes me think it must have been play.

At the mound they both went for the same piece of food and Pepper did a rear nelson and Abby showed the usual submission. A few minutes later, they both found themselves once again at the same piece of food and Abby barged Pepper.

On the way out Abby was waiting on the road to the brook and Pepper came running from the loop road. Both chased us out this time. When we got to the flat, Pepper did the usual crossover to the field and raced the car (20 mph) while Abby stayed in the road chasing the car.

2 Sep

(7 pm) Abby and Pepper met us at the flat on the top of the hill and raced us to the T junction. Pepper loves to run; evidently is sheer enjoyment for her. Abby prances a little more daintily and doesn't run so fast. On the way out both Pepper and Abby chased on the road crossing the brook. Then Abby dropped off and it was Pepper alone. When we got to the flat she went all out and we clocked her at 22 mph tonight for quite a long stretch. The bread I had left on the sitting rock on the way in was gone when Pepper got there, so she got 1/4 of a slice of bread. She comes inches from my fingers. Suddenly she looked up, ears forward, very much at the alert, and tore off across the field toward the spruce trees. A few seconds later Abby came into view trotting across the flat. (Abby, I think, doesn't like to work up a sweat.) We hardly think Abby could have alarmed Pepper to the point of being chased off. Anyway, at the last stop at the top of the hill Abby got the left over cheerios (refused) and milk bone (also refused) and one tiny communion sized square of bread.

When I got back to the house and pulled a Pepsi out of the fridge I saw the bowl of blueberries I meant to take back to the foxes. Immediately jumped in the car and headed back again. There was Abby on top of the sitting rock looking for any crumbs Pepper might have left. I gave her a good helping of berries which she ate with ill concealed gusto. I left some more at the T junction and at the ledge in the loop road. On my way back on the road at the bottom of the back fields a little field mouse ran across the road and chasing right behind it was one of the partridge chicks. This is the last post for a week as I head back to Chicago tomorrow.

9 Sep

Before we left Tom had dropped hay bales around at various points of the farm to spread this fall to help lessen the erosion during the spring run off.

(6:15 pm) Too anxious to wait any longer. Got back to the T junction and dear, faithful Pepper was stretched out on a hay bale waiting. She rose as soon as the car came close, jumped off, turned in circles, and sat down waiting for tid bits. She was properly grateful for her treats and raced me to the mound. All was as usual. She raced the car to the loop road where she had a few more treats. Left some food at the 2nd turnaround and on my way out as I crossed the bottom of the loop road, Pepper came running out to chase the car. She chased me past the T junction and as we were going up the hill, I suddenly saw Abby running across the field to join us. I stopped the car at the flat on top of the hill and gave Pepper tiny treats and Abby more substantial ones. Pepper made throaty noises the entire time. When I started the car, Abby took off in the middle field (to the right of the car) and started racing. She was running flat out. Poor Pepper looked confused; she first ran in the middle field (where she *always* has raced us), then in the road behind the car, and finally settled for racing in the left field. There I was - a fox racing the car on each side. Abby got to the sitting rock first and was busy gleaning the bread crumbs from it. Pepper just gave up and lay down in the road by the sitting rock. All's right with the world; they both showed up.

10 Sep

(7 pm) Had a meat and veggie casserole that stuck to the bottom of the pan. Took the pan along to scrape out the burned parts for fox treats. No one at the T junction when we got there. Called "kit kit" and Abby came trotting up the trail from the brook. We had about 2 minutes alone before Pepper came running up the road from the mound. Pepper went for the same piece of meat that Abby was near, and Abby gekked and bit Pepper in the neck. Abby ruled the T junction tonite.

On to the mound where Pepper climbed to the top as usual and Abby came to the driver's side of the car. Finally Pepper just couldn't stand not knowing what was going on, so she came around to the driver's side also. Amazingly, Abby allowed it. The both raced me to the loop road where the got the leftover beets from dinner. However, Pepper seemed in charge here - even to the point of doing the "rear nelson" on Abby a couple of times. Once again, the low throaty vocalization from Pepper nearly the whole time. Abby crossed the road and went into the brush on the other side of the road from the ledge. I couldn't understand where she was going or what she was doing. She went in right by the birthing den which is now so covered with foilage you can't see it. I finally got the point. She came out of the brush down the road behind the car and sat in a place out of Pepper's line of sight but within mine. Ergo, she got food tossed to her in a safe place.

11 Sep

(6:45 pm) Had to call at the T junction, but both came immediately and from different directions. Abby gave a vicious snarl and went for Pepper's neck at the T junction; however, a few minutes later, Pepper did the same to Abby. Some new behavior tonite - If Abby went to a piece of carrot and Pepper wanted it, all Pepper had to do was move toward it, gekk, and Abby would duck her head in submission and move away. This way Pepper was able to protect (reserve?) several pieces in advance. At the mound I had to toss left and right from the driver's seat since I was alone. All as usual there. Both raced me to the loop road. How Pepper loves to run.

When I got out of the car to feed at the loop road I left the car door open. Pepper was tired of the carrot and apple and CAME OVER TO THE CAR DOOR AND LOOKED INSIDE as if looking for the Capn Crunch. I had to reward such investigative talent so each got 5 or 6 kernels of cereal. Pepper did the same "advance reservation" stunt here. Abby isn't cowed for long, however. She just figures out another place to stand and gets her share. At the farthest they'll feed about 10 feet apart, and most of the time within 2 feet. Even after an "incident". Both raced me thru the loop road. Pepper clocked in at 25 mph with Abby running behind.

12 Sep

(6:45 pm) All as usual. Abby arrived first at the T junction. Tonite Pepper deferred to Abby - but no gekking nor snarling. If a toss of bread landed between them, Pepper would wait to see if Abby wanted it. Perfect ladies.

14 Sep

(6:30 pm) Faithful Pepper was waiting on bale of straw at T junction. Abby came soon after. Introduced them to canteloupe tonite; they loved it! Pepper tried "reserving" pieces, but Abby just moved to another spot where she got her toss. All as usual, except in loop road both foxes raised their heads and immediately went on the alert. I looked up and the bald eagle that lives in the woods was circling overhead. Honked the car horn which sent foxes into brush and eagle away. Foxes came out. Pepper escorted me to car door and looked so plaintive I brought out the Capn Crunch.

15 Sep

(6:30 pm) Pepper, again, was waiting on the straw at the T junction. Abby came as soon as I called. All as usual at the T junction and the mound. As I was getting out of the car from the driver's side in the loop road I heard the most gawdawful caterwauling from the other side. Couldn't see what was happening, but there was yelling and screeching. By the time I got out, Abby was standing by the driver's car door. It took several tosses to get them within a couple of feet of each other and Pepper kept the throaty noise going. This time it sounded most definitely like a warning. A piece of bread dropped on my shoe and Pepper came up and ate from my "toe".

Went to the 1st turn around to turn around and both Pepper and Abby had advanced into the woods from the top of the loop road to wait for/greet/way lay me. There were some frantic moments when both wanted to play tag from different sides of the car. It terrifies me when they get too close, but all sent ok. They raced me out. I saw a red fox head (Shy Lass?) looking out from under the spruce trees. Abby followed the car down to the first rise. Threw her some cereal to stop her from coming closer to the house.

16 Sep

(6:30 pm) Both Pepper and Abby met me on the flat and raced down to the T junction. When we got to the loop road I opened a new box of Honey Nut Cheerios as the Capn Crunch is gone. They loved it. They now race me around the loop road. Coming out they were waiting half-way to the 1st turnaround. They started their game of tag again. It was harrowing as one would stop to "be caught" while the other was still running to be chased. I finally stopped the car, got out, sat on the bumper and talked to them. Told them they could chase me from behind or run next to me, but no running in front of the car. They both twisted their ears as if listening. When I started the car again they both ran in the road behind me. It must be the power of prayer as I know they couldn't understand what I said.

Pepper goes to the top of the hill for last treat and Abby passes it by and follows car toward house. I stopped at the bottom of the spruce trees to give her a treat so she'll go no further.

17 Sep

(6:30 pm) All as usual. Pepper did the rear nelson on Abby at T junction but all harmonious after that. Pepper met me at the top of the loop road on the way out (Abby waiting at the mound) and chased the car for over a mile at 20 mph. She loves to run for the sake of running. Abby joins the chase, but is usually 30 - 40 feet behind Pepper. Abby has left the top of the hill feeding spot to Pepper and has staked out her own spot farther down at the end of the spruce trees. Feeding less now in order to force them to hunt and cache. The Honey Nut Cheerios are perfect treats.

18 Sep

(6:20 pm) Abby was sitting on the sitting rock as I drove back. At first I was hopeful it was Shy Lass but when she ran to greet the car I knew it was Abby. All went well at the mound until we were leaving. Pepper came off to the mound and into the road to chase the car. Abby, for some reason, felt the road was still her feeding area even tho the car was moving. Thru my rear view mirror I could see her dash at Pepper, bare her teeth and grab ahold of her neck. She hung on to Pepper for about three steps and then Pepper broke loose and caught up to the car.

At the loop road as I was getting out of the car I could hear terriblly angry noises. I looked and Pepper had her teeth in Abby's back and chased her across the road in front of the parked car and into the bushes by the birthing den. Abby came out as I was scolding them and lo, if Pepper didn't sink her teeth into Abby's rear and keep them there back across the road in the other direction, crossing in front of the car, and up onto the ledge. They both disappeared under the spruce branches. Pepper came out alone. By this time I was in front of the car with the Cheerios box. Pepper got so excited. She sat down, but kept inching forward in the sitting position. Abby came out from the ledge, and by the 4th toss they were feeding within 18" to 2 feet of each other. Pepper would make throaty noises and Abby would make them right back. It was definitely a response to each of Pepper's noises. The both get overly excited at the Cheerios, eck.

20 Sep

(6:00 pm) Pepper was waiting on the bale of straw at the T junction and Abby was sitting in the road. Explained to them I was extra early since I had to go to the airport and pick up Tom. They seemed extra frisky tonite. At the loop road they were within a foot of each other with no aggressiveness nor vocalizations. On the way out they both chased "creatively"; Pepper cut across fields, Abby jumped over brush, etc. When we got to the sitting rock Pepper has moisture dropping from her tongue.

21 Sep

(8:00 am) Tom and I drove back to check that the loggers have vacated. Pepper came racing next to the car and got a dog "yummy" at the T junction. She seemed terrified of Tom; but then she hasn't seen him in a long time.

(6:20 pm) On our way back we saw Shy Lass at top of the hill. Left treats at sitting rock which were gone on our way out. Pepper waiting on straw at T junction - had to call for Abby (who came immediately). This is the first time in a long time that Tom has been with me and Pepper would dash and hide in the brush when he got out to video. Abby, on the other hand, flirted, danced, and actually posed for him. She would come up to him and stand about 9" from him. Pepper finally came out but would not go near Tom and would start and jump into the brush if he made a sudden move. In the loop road as we were getting out of the car, Pepper bit Abby on the rear again and started to chase her away. As soon as she saw Tom, she disappeared under the spruce branches. When she realized Abby had a clear field and no competition, she came out again. Now Abby was the dominant one; making throaty noises so Pepper would move off. Tom tossed her some cheerios at the top of the hill. She accepts him fine as long as he stays in the car. She'll have to get used to him as he will be the treat giver for 2 weeks when I go back to Chicago this weekend.

22 Sep

(6:30 pm) Both Tom and I got out at the T junction. Abby came right up; however, Pepper jumped and hid in the brush. She finally came out but would come no closer than about 10 - 12 feet. Abby was getting all the goodies. Tom took out the video camera and she went right over to him and posed. Pepper got a few treats but I really had to "arc" them to get close to her. Near the end she came closer, but Abby snarled and Pepper backed off. Abby kept throaty noises going the whole time - and she looked extremely smug. Finally I suggested Tom get back in the car to see what happened. Pepper came right up to my feet and hip slammed Abby out of the way. Abby put her ears back and let loose some unladylike language but Pepper just slammed her again.

I guess Pepper is my girl and Abby is Tom's.

23 Sep

At the loop road Tom fed and I video'd. Pepper hid in brush until she couldn't stand Abby getting the treats. She came out and barged Abby. This led to them both scamerping into the trees where they got up on the hind leg dance position with front paws on each others shoulders. Couldn't see who was submissive.

24 Sep

Tom's report via telephone. Abby and Pepper were waiting in the road about 30 feet before the T junction. The feeding at the T junction went well. Both came right up to Tom. Pepper was definitely dominant and did her best to intimidate Abby. Abby would snarl and curl her lips, but showed submissiveness by backing off.

On the way out Pepper did the normal car chase. At one point Tom couldn't see her in the rear view mirror any more so he stopped the car. He leaned over to look out the passenger window (the side she usually races on) and could find no trace of her. Finally he heard a "woof" and there she was sitting next to the car door on the driver's side. Tom said she gave him a look like "are you nuts? why stop here?"

Pepper continued the race to the sitting rock. Pepper came around to where Abby was and they both started to fight. They were up on their hind legs in dance position with their lips curled and their front paws flailing. They held this for awhile and then Pepper pushed Abby. Abby stayed on her hind legs dancing backwards for about 10 - 15 feet when she finally fell over onto her back. She rolled towards Tom, got up and ran to a different area. Pepper followed her and the whole fight/dance/push was repeated. Tom stayed quiet watching them for about 15 minutes. They eventually got tired of fighting and started snapping at flies, and other insects. Abby chose to hunt near Tom. She would put her head down and listen (for mice or grasshoppers) and then give a pounce to catch her prey. Tom says she's a very pretty pouncer. He then spoke to them and at the sound of his voice they ran right to the car for a treat. He finally moved off to the top of the hill where they shared the treats very cordially.

No question that Tom has been accepted. Now I'm wondering if they're fighting over food, the area, or my husband.

25 Sep

Tom's report via telephone. For the second day in a row a neighbor's Angus cattle got loose and roamed thru our woods and grazed the clover in our fields. Tom spent most of the day trying to herd them (with our golf cart yet) and trying to find the owner.

27 Sep

Tom's report via telephone: Abby was waiting on the flat for Tom, with Pepper waiting by the T junction. When Tom got out of the car Pepper came up and was on the alert for the food toss. Suddendly Abby came trotting down from the flat and Pepper tore into her; up on the hind legs, etc. She chased Abby off. After several food tosses, Abby came back and Tom made sure she got some. In the loop road, the same thing happened. The next thing Tom knew, they were up on their hind legs again.

28 Sep

Tom's report via phone. Pepper was agressively dominant - even to the point of charging Abby head on when Abby actually had food in her mouth. Abby would then drop the food and run off. This behavior was repeated several times. After all this hostility, things were peaceful at the mound. That must be the demilitarized zone. At the loop road Pepper did her best to garner all the treats and intimidate Abby.

Both chased the car out. When Tom got to the flat, there was Shy Lass sitting in the middle of the road. She casually moved out of the way and walked across the field to Sunset Ridge. When Tom got to the sitting rock the food he left on the way in was gone, so assumed Shy Lass ate it.

29 Sep

Tom's report. After usual rounds they escorted Tom out - one on each side of the car. When they got to the flat, Abby pulled ahead of the car. Pepper took this as an insult and immediately charged her. They were so angry they didn't notice how close to the car they were. Tom nearly choked himself on the shoulder belt he stopped so fast. There they were, hind legs, patty cake, and much vocalization. As soon as Abby came down to four feet, the race commenced. Pepper spent more time chasing Abby off than racing the car. Tom scolded Pepper, but it had no effect. This relationship is in trouble.