Found a coyote, I think

Raspy · Apr 29, 2012

Randy,

Thanks for the comments. I agree about the socializing. It's hard to have her meet a lot of people and get used to being around them. Since we have to keep a low profile and since most people have a knee jerk reaction to the word coyote, she mainly spends time with us and our other animals. Some friends that meet her are very standoffish.

This whole thing does have a bitter sweet side to it. As we become more attached to her and get to know her better, it becomes harder to go do anything and we know she will eventually be gone. Today, for instance, we'd like to go out shopping and running errands. She'll go with us, but we can't stop at the park for a run or leave her in the car for long or introduce her to other dogs or people, etc. When we first got her she went, inside a little pouch, into stores, homes and restaurants, unnoticed.

We travel back and forth between Nevada and California. CA used to be my permanent place, but now it's Nevada. My wife might stay in Nevada when we go back next week, until Sandy's fate is decided. And I'm expecting that could be soon.

Last night, after dark, we took her out for a nice walk after dark. The farthest she has gone and it was fun to see her run and explore a bit. She still doesn't seem to control her temperature very well and was shivering. Wary too, about noises. But back inside, after struggling up the steps, fell asleep in my lap with some contented murmurs.

RandyBell · Apr 29, 2012

You would be surprized how many people would not have a clue if you didn't tell them upfront, just tell them she is a mixed breed you picked up! I have two the next up the foodchain from yours and I don't think I want another dog after these. As for disposition I have watched the male share a sucker with a three year old boy, they took turns licking it!! No aggression not even when the little boy shoved it a little to far in. My Female is 8 and the Male is 4, I think he is finally done growing!!! We have an underground fence for the boy, he thinks his territory is as far as he can see, and HE CAN RUN. The female she stays pretty much in her yard, we live on top of a hill so she watches over her kingdom, she might sneek down and visit the neighbor if they are out, but she doesn't bother any thing. They are both registered as mixed breeds, there is really no way to tell other because even DNA on any K9 will come back to (canius lubis) as all dog breeds had they origins there.

Raspy · Apr 29, 2012

Randy,

That's good idea and we have been kicking around the idea of calling her a Jindo. The other day the phone repairman was here and, of course, the first thing out of his mouth was "how cute!, what kind of dog is she?" I just said I wasn't sure.

I think the problem would come when it's time to get rabies shots at four months. I don't think we can buy that, but we can get parvo and worm medicines. I'm quietly looking for a vet that is open to some wild animal care at the risk of getting himself in hot water. But, of course, if she was a Jindo.............. The default position seems to be either to have animal control come swooping in, take them away and gas them or just shoot them. And, of course, cite the owners.

If we were set on keeping her, I'd do just as you suggest. Go right into our vets office and make an appointment for our little mixed Jindo.

Depmandog · Apr 29, 2012

I found a website that you will want to visit.

http://www.dailycoyote.net/

Very interesting, given your current situation. Amazing photos, and I would be interested to read her book.

Raspy · Apr 30, 2012

Dean,

Yeah, I've already ordered her book and read everything she has posted. She's very interesting woman.

There are others too, but she's the best one. If I remember correctly, she got her coyote at about 10 days old and probably after it's imprinting stage. We got ours at an estimated three days or so. Sandy seems to clearly have imprinted on my wife. And she was old enough to have gotten her mother's antibodies.

RandyBell · May 3, 2012

Raspy: Did you make any decisions yet? She should be growing quickly at this stage.

Raspy · May 5, 2012

We're not ready to let her go yet and she's getting along quite well. Like any puppy at 6 weeks old, she's active and sometimes a handful.

She still can't see very well, but is steadily improving. No more bottle feeding. We started her on canned food and kibbles with a couple of days of milk mixed with kibbles and she immediately took to it. Now she is on canned and kibbles completely. She figured out how to drink water after getting a nose full a couple of times. We feed her three times a day.

We have a big plastic container for her to sleep in and she'll stay in there quietly for about four hours. Then she scratches to get out and we take her outside. We say "go home" and she runs back in. Then we say "eat" and she stares at us waiting for dinner.

She has been on a collar and leash for about a week now. We leave her hooked up a lot and she drags it all around without complaint, but won't walk very well on it if we try to lead her, especially if it's into an area she's not familiar with. Skittish.

She is very touching with her affectionate and trusting ways. She's always ready to be held and she'll sleep soundly in the middle of the room completely secure. But loud noises or strange dogs or strange people cause her to run and hide. She's very cautious with anything unknown.

So, it's somewhat demanding, but a great learning experience and a lot of fun. Being so cautious and wary will probably become a big problem when she is bigger and stronger. And any aggressiveness toward our other dogs will indicate it's time to go.

I'm thinking about the vet situation. Maybe if I just took her in and said I thought she was a Jindo, it would work out. Especially if we do it soon before she looks more mature. Rabies shots at four months is the issue.

More later.

Depmandog · May 5, 2012

I don't think you will fool a vet. Maybe some young city vet...but even then I doubt it.

Personally, I would look for a country vet from a small town two or three towns over. Give him a call, tell him what you got but not who you are or where you are from. If you get a good feeling from the vet, go ahead and take it in. Get there a few minutes late, and if you see a conservation truck in the parking lot - keep on driving.

I used to work for a vet in high school. Thought about becoming a vet, but the truth is most country vets make a living, but it's tough job, often for low pay (compared to the amount of schooling). These people are vets because they love animals. And for them to get to treat a fox would be like your corner mechanic getting to work on a supercar. Doesn't happen that often, and I think it would be the highlight of the month for the vet.

If you are real paranoid, use a fake name, etc and pay in cash.

RobertBrown · May 5, 2012

Raspy said:
We're not ready to let her go yet and she's getting along quite well. Like any puppy at 6 weeks old, she's active and sometimes a handful.

She still can't see very well, but is steadily improving. No more bottle feeding. We started her on canned food and kibbles with a couple of days of milk mixed with kibbles and she immediately took to it. Now she is on canned and kibbles completely. She figured out how to drink water after getting a nose full a couple of times. We feed her three times a day.

We have a big plastic container for her to sleep in and she'll stay in there quietly for about four hours. Then she scratches to get out and we take her outside. We say "go home" and she runs back in. Then we say "eat" and she stares at us waiting for dinner.

She has been on a collar and leash for about a week now. We leave her hooked up a lot and she drags it all around without complaint, but won't walk very well on it if we try to lead her, especially if it's into an area she's not familiar with. Skittish.

She is very touching with her affectionate and trusting ways. She's always ready to be held and she'll sleep soundly in the middle of the room completely secure. But loud noises or strange dogs or strange people cause her to run and hide. She's very cautious with anything unknown.

So, it's somewhat demanding, but a great learning experience and a lot of fun. Being so cautious and wary will probably become a big problem when she is bigger and stronger. And any aggressiveness toward our other dogs will indicate it's time to go.

I'm thinking about the vet situation. Maybe if I just took her in and said I thought she was a Jindo, it would work out. Especially if we do it soon before she looks more mature. Rabies shots at four months is the issue.

More later.

You don't need a vet to get rabies vaccine, unless is a state law.....
Rabvac 3 - 10 Dose Vial | Pet Supplies, Horse Supplies, Dog Supplies | KVsupply.com
Or Parvo,,,,
http://www.kvsupply.com/KVVet/produ...alse&mscssid=FD998FC623EC457D968A8BE7253AAD64

I would think that this animal will be a lot more resistant to these viruses than your average house pet. You probably took a biger risk when you exposed your dog to the yote pup. That's the one you should most likely get vaccinated or re vaccinated. I would think that any issues would be apparent by this time

Raspy · May 5, 2012

Dean, That's a good suggestion. Thanks.

Robert, Thanks for the link!

It would be nice to get established with a cooperative vet so that, in case of an emergency, we could get treatment for her. If she got injured or something.

More later. We're having folks over for dinner and neighbors have been dropping by. Grand Central around here.