Found a coyote, I think

[MotorSeven]

Great Pic's....boy she sure is a beauty queen.

You might of posted this, but how does she handle strangers? Apprehensive or not?

 

[Raspy]

Motor,

At first when meeting someone new, she is a bit cautious. She might perk up and go toward them a few steps, then wait to get introduced. Then she is happy and will jump up into their lap or show them her belly. Most folks are more cautious with her than she is with them. She can be a bit much at times with wanting to play tug-of-war with peoples clothes or her gentle mouthing wolf kisses. I'm not trying to teach her manners very much and she is in that terrible puppy stage of wanting to chew everything. The thing that scares her most are loud unexpected noises. She'll run off and then look from a safe distance. I'll call her back and she comes to check my hand for a treat. If a car drives in she'll stop what she's doing and watch.

It's funny when we are sitting around visiting with someone on the front porch, or I'm up in the garage and a friend stops by. Suddenly a coyote comes trotting up! I'm used to it now and wonder what she will get into. Others are startled but love it. No one seems to quite know what to do with her. Just now a neighbor drove in and got the full greeting.

She never has barked and her tail doesn't wag like other dogs. Some occasional swishing back and forth, but no real wagging. She prances around and jumps up or goes along for walks. She loves keep-away and wants to start the game often. Leather gloves are one of her favorite things and she even has a few hidden away that we can't find. Every once in a while she gets one out to play with and chew. We see a twinkle in her eye as she spots something to keep from us. She grabs onto it, maybe a glove or a bungee cord or a partial roll of paper towels, and watches for a response. If I move toward her or say "no", off she goes and the game is on. Later if we can't find what she took, she'll go with us to look, then get it out from the hiding place and drop it in front of us.

She has been improving her den lately too. She is getting bigger and had to excavate. Last night she was catching bugs near the front door that were attracted by the porch light, we could hear coyotes in the distance and watched for a response from her. She didn't seem to notice.

Another bright morning has arrived. She came out from her den looking sleepy and began to greet and play. A very happy little dog. Unguarded emotions of joy. Mock growling and biting with Bei Bei. The simple powerful joy of being alive, healthy and happy.

 

[chkntrktr]

Thank you for sharing this experience with us. I look for a new post from you every time I log on. It's not only an interesting subject but you write about it very well also. thanks again.

 

[RandyBell]

John I think she looks the most content when she is with her pack! Riding in the truck, sprawled out with BeiBei she doesn't have a care in the world. I think you might be in it for the long haul, she will grow into her own and be able to catch rabbits and other small game, being somewhat self suffient, but I think ultimately she will still look to you and your wife for comfort. Your pickup looks about as crowded as my toyota when we take our wolves for a ride, and they know all about drive-tru windows.
I have to agree with the other posts that you really need to plan on writing a book on your experiences with Sandy, you defineatly have the writing skills for it, and the photos are great.
Have a Happy Fathers Day

Randy

 

[MotorSeven]

Raspy, it's a fascinating story, and yes you are very well versed in the written word:thumbsup:

I think at this point you are premature in setting here free. She is not ready and may or may not ever be "ready" to go on her own. I think that if the time comes, you will know for sure and it because she will tell you.

There is always "Option 3".........buy your own 500 ac ranch with a house in the middle of it:laughing:

 

[Redbug]

Or maybe one of the TBN'ers has that 500 acre ranch where you can free her without worry...wouldn't that be great? I'm with MotorSeven...she will tell you when. That's what Rocky, (my pet raccoon), did.

 

[Raspy]

Thanks again for the kind words. We are really enjoying this story.

I agree that she is not ready to be on her own yet. Maybe she never will be as we are not well equipped or willing to do what's necessary for that.

Word is gradually spreading about her. A neighbor came by that I had not told about Sandy and asked about her. So I feel like a deadline is approaching that I can't see. An official animal control visit and her being taken to be killed.

Also, as she matures, there is bound to be changes in her demeanor. As I've mentioned, I don't want a dangerous wild thing here and I will be willing to take her to some remote location if she gets crazy. It's all new to us and we don't know what's coming, but so far she couldn't be more fun.

I want to share this in great detail as I'm very interested in who she is. I feel she can do so much good by improving the understanding people have of these wonderful animals that are virtually the same as the ones living in homes all over the country. How can someone hate a coyote and love a dog? Not unless they don't understand the coyote. So far, they are the same thing in this story. Sandy and our other dogs understand each other perfectly. If someone came here without pre-conceived notions about what a coyote was, they wouldn't give her a second thought. Just another cute and friendly dog.

I know they are dangerous pests in some settings and I'm not downplaying that, but they are also sensitive, intelligent, loyal and fun loving dogs. Not just similar, but the same as domestic dogs. Even more pure as they have not been bread to display certain traits. Just a natural dog with all it's inherent intelligence, survival skills, adaptable ways, physical strength and sense of humor. No wonder they are so successful!

Now comes the tricky part. This is where my story begins to depart from the openness I want to have with all of you. How do I protect her, and at the same time, pronounce to everyone what my tactics are to insure her survival? Normal channels have been exhausted. There is some fear by others. Legal issues loom. I've revealed too much to my neighbors in a naive belief that everyone would be as curious as we are. Even that difficulty and conflict, in itself, is part of the value of the story. If some greater understanding and good can come from this, the whole story needs to be splayed out for all to see. Maybe Sandy can ride a wave of popularity to safety. Fly above the danger to an island of peace. But not unless she is understood.

A book is a great idea. I'm not sure I can put one together, but it is warranted. We were brainstorming the most effective and interesting approach to one just last night. The cause is there. The story is there. The suspense, the conflict, the beauty and the innocence. I have gone from a curious observer to a smitten advocate, a loyal friend. While cheering for her I hope for all of them.

I welcome more suggestions. Sandy and I have benefitted from so many of your ideas.

 

[Raspy]

The 500 acre ranch is a great idea. Probably the best plan of all.

 

[MotorSeven]

Hopefully someone here on TBN reading this has a ranch, or a friend that does, or the friends X-brother in law's second cousin.

All joking aside, a little networking here and I am sure something can be done. I'm out with a hundred ac...sorry.

Oh, and I think you could make a book and make it interesting....you have a knack.

 

[RobertBrown]

Maybe Sandy can ride a wave of popularity to safety. Fly above the danger to an island of peace. But not unless she is understood.

As much as I hate to say it, I think you're being a little naive again.
On the other hand you may be anticipating an event that isn't going to happen. It may be that the local authorities just don't care much about your yote, even though it's against the law.
Not having a clear picture of your situation....your property and it's size and it's proximity to neighbors, their kids and schools. It's hard to know exactly how dicey the future is for your new feral friend.

The only way to "ride a wave of popularity to safety" would be to make an object of Sandy and teach her to be controllable, take her out in public and get your friends, neighbors and some influential people to admire her. You would have to have complete control over her.
I'm sure that your not the first to have tried this.... keeping a young coyote around the house thing. The local authorities may have clear evidence that this type of thing doesn't end well. Perhaps this is something you should look into.
The book is something that can be written at anytime. I'm picturing a children's book, documenting Sandy's adventures. It would have a happy ending...so maybe that's what you should be considering... a happy ending.
It seems to me that you need to asess your priorities and get more discrete about how you handle things for now.
I had a talk with my girlfriend about this yesterday. I've been showing her your post and your pictures. She told me not to talk to her about this anymore. She said she is going to be very upset with you if this ends badly. Her reaction doesn't surprise me, I explained to her that your doing the best you can, and I believe that you are. Without knowing your circumstances it's hard to say if you could have been more discrete with this situation.

I don't want to read the post that tells me a peace officer stopped by and documented the coyote and told you that animal control will arrive shortly to remove her. It won't bode well as an ending in your book either.
You mentioned that you felt that Sandy would harm or kill your other pets, including Bei bei. If you truly believe this than you have that threat hovering over your head as well. What your doing now is procrastinating, you know what you have to do, you have seen the red flags and now you're waiting.
Not being there and actually seeing what is going on, it's hard for me to give you advice. I'm sure I would not want give up on the dog either. But since you can't really see how she can stay, then she has to go, and this should happen before things get bad. Don't forget, you may be subjecting yourself to a huge liability. If a coyote event happens in the future, say a pet or a child is attacked, people will blame your yote, even if it is long gone. If something happens while she is in your care, then you are liable. Even the slightest little playful nip could invite a law suit.
You seem to have a viable solution, perhaps it time......