Sage and the Gopher

Before we go to bed at night, the dogs go out to pee.  We open the front door, turn on the porch light, and they go down onto the front “lawn” (mowed weeds) to do their business.  It’s all very fast and efficient; no lollygagging, which is good because in the winter its dang cold out there.

The other night, as Sage squatted and peed, Kersey circled looking for the best spot to do her business.  She stopped, put her nose to the ground, and then snapped her head forward and down.  I saw something kind of move — maybe hop — but there was no moon and the front porch light doesn’t throw light very far so I wasn’t sure.  Sage popped up from her squat, mid-pee and ran over to investigate.  She took whatever it was from Kersey and ran off.  I saw what I thought was a leg dangling from her mouth.

Sage ran off past the planters that border the lawn and was lost in the dark.  I could hear her running, running, running — to the driveway, to the stream, to the barn but I couldn’t really see her.  And, of course, there was no way she was going to come.  Brett went back inside the house and got his flashlight.

He proceeded to follow Sage around with the beam of light as she continued to run.  She loves catching things but then she doesn’t know what to do with them.  I suppose I should be thankful for that.  But, it was getting late and it was cold and I was not feeling thankful.

Eventually, she came to the porch and we could see that it was a rodent.  I held out a dog treat and she considered trading her catch for the dog bone.  Brett grabbed her collar and pried her mouth open.  A rather soggy dead gopher dropped to the ground.

I love that she catches gophers and ground squirrels but, honestly, doing it at bedtime is not so great.