Sand hill Cranes...urgh...

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Yorktowny

Oh gosh, i was too vauge when I said "your artical." -- I just meant the "artical that you shared here." Sorry for being unclear and putting words in your mouth by mistake!1

Totally agree with you about hunting--- especielly if the birds live in a suburban neighborhood (and are protected_)/.

I used the word "you" generically too in my reply employing the generic "you" as the implied stalker/hunter to illustrate that even the generic or general use of "you" being associated with certain topics, even by accident, can sting.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been that sensitive but it was an overall offensive article to me, too, by its very nature, so cavalierly describing the stalking and killing of a wild creature on its home territory or worse, during a canned hunt, but still very rawly and vividly described how dangerous any creature can be when it perceives or is feeling threat or actual injury.

Spraying it in the eyes with burning chemical fluid might just make it perceive a real threat and go after said sprayer, who's just trying to protect their helpless little Yorkie, who is totally trapped on the end of the lead, can't run or hide. Some dogs in that situation will just shut down and freeze. Probably safer all around to try to intimidate/shock/scare it from afar with time-stamped, dated video evidence of one's legal preventative actions or otherwise steer clear once warned. Instinctive, wild creatures react to primal fears the same way we do.

[Yorktowny]

Originally Posted by nanajoy

I, too, abhor hunting of animals for sport! I cannot imagine resorting to have to kill a crane...I was just concerned with protecting my babies. I am happy to report that the birds have not bothered us again, and seem to be respecting our distance. I will remain vigilant, but hope we have averted another problem by quietly and calmly standing our ground and not reacting aggressively during their earlier challenge.

I will share that many years ago, when my 45-year-old son was in second grade he was in a school performance in NYC at Madison Square Garden. He was in a program with Jaques D'Amboise and Mary Tyler Moore, and his class had been training for an entire semester. After a day-long rehearsal, we were told to go outside to eat while they cleaned in preparation for the evening performance. I decided to take him to TGIF as a treat, and as I turned a corner adjacent to the complex, we were confronted by an obvious drug addict who grabbed my son by the throat and demanded money. Back in the day, I was much more nimble, and acted on my immediate impulse to defend my son by kicking him with huge force "you know where" with my very sharp high heel. I grabbed my son's hand and quickly walked to the corner where there was a police officer...it happened so quickly that my son had not known that he was in danger. Believe me, when confronted with harm to those you love, the Mama Bear comes out! I will admit that on the bus ride home I did have a small cry and shook a bit when the whole incident was behind me. (I will also add that after the children were older I worked in the field of domestic violence for over twenty years, and had plenty of practice confronting dangerous situations. My own instinct is to confront fear, but never escalate unless absolutely necessary.)

Wow, scary story but glad you where the TIGER MOM and I hope you wore pointy shoes and pointy heals!!!!!

But I like your ideas about standing ground quietly and i love that it seems to be working!!

[Yorktowny]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I used the word "you" generically too in my reply employing the generic "you" as the implied stalker/hunter to illustrate that even the generic or general use of "you" being associated with certain topics, even by accident, can sting.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been that sensitive but it was an overall offensive article to me, too, by its very nature, so cavalierly describing the stalking and killing of a wild creature on its home territory or worse, during a canned hunt, but still very rawly and vividly described how dangerous any creature can be when it perceives or is feeling threat or actual injury.

Spraying it in the eyes with burning chemical fluid might just make it perceive a real threat and go after said sprayer, who's just trying to protect their helpless little Yorkie, who is totally trapped on the end of the lead, can't run or hide. Some dogs in that situation will just shut down and freeze. Probably safer all around to try to intimidate/shock/scare it from afar with time-stamped, dated video evidence of one's legal preventative actions or otherwise steer clear once warned. Instinctive, wild creatures react to primal fears the same way we do.

No need to apologize, i get what you mean!!! Nana seems to be doing great with avoiding and calmly walking so i think you and her are on the same page!!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by nanajoy

I, too, abhor hunting of animals for sport! I cannot imagine resorting to have to kill a crane...I was just concerned with protecting my babies. I am happy to report that the birds have not bothered us again, and seem to be respecting our distance. I will remain vigilant, but hope we have averted another problem by quietly and calmly standing our ground and not reacting aggressively during their earlier challenge.

I will share that many years ago, when my 45-year-old son was in second grade he was in a school performance in NYC at Madison Square Garden. He was in a program with Jaques D'Amboise and Mary Tyler Moore, and his class had been training for an entire semester. After a day-long rehearsal, we were told to go outside to eat while they cleaned in preparation for the evening performance. I decided to take him to TGIF as a treat, and as I turned a corner adjacent to the complex, we were confronted by an obvious drug addict who grabbed my son by the throat and demanded money. Back in the day, I was much more nimble, and acted on my immediate impulse to defend my son by kicking him with huge force "you know where" with my very sharp high heel. I grabbed my son's hand and quickly walked to the corner where there was a police officer...it happened so quickly that my son had not known that he was in danger. Believe me, when confronted with harm to those you love, the Mama Bear comes out! I will admit that on the bus ride home I did have a small cry and shook a bit when the whole incident was behind me. (I will also add that after the children were older I worked in the field of domestic violence for over twenty years, and had plenty of practice confronting dangerous situations. My own instinct is to confront fear, but never escalate unless absolutely necessary.)

My instinct, too, is always "stand your ground", confront fear and back it down but when one has custodial care of another to consider vs. the primal instincts of a wild creature protecting what it sees as its territory and its resources for living, you are likely dealing on its terms when it has a deadly intent and ability. Under the circumstances, consider it behaves on primitive, primal instincts only, at the time. But the thinker of the two wisely, instantaneously acts to defer and dampen the threat, if for no other reason than the sake of the one in our care. We must keep them safe at all cost, just as that bird is trying to do and as you heroically did with your small son and victims of violence. Props!

[nanajoy]

Update...SUCCESS! On this morning's walk a single adult crane was standing on the sidewalk around the corner from their usual place. As we approached, he inspected us from a distance, then gave a single non-aggressive vocalization and slowly walked off the sidewalk to let us pass. No aggressive wing flap, no reaction at all. We decided to calmly keep walking by, and neither dog reacted either! Of course we will remain watchful, but apparently this crane has decided to live in harmony with our boys...what a relief.

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by nanajoy

Update...SUCCESS! On this morning's walk a single adult crane was standing on the sidewalk around the corner from their usual place. As we approached, he inspected us from a distance, then gave a single non-aggressive vocalization and slowly walked off the sidewalk to let us pass. No aggressive wing flap, no reaction at all. We decided to calmly keep walking by, and neither dog reacted either! Of course we will remain watchful, but apparently this crane has decided to live in harmony with our boys...what a relief.

That’s wonderful. Stay vigilant, though, as the aggression might wax and wane depending on where they are in their breeding cycle.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Bluebells

That’s wonderful. Stay vigilant, though, as the aggression might wax and wane depending on where they are in their breeding cycle.

Very true. Success during an encounter with a wild creature usually isn't always consistent as we never know what they've just been through or feel prior to our encounter. We can be always be happy that our latest experience stayed safe while staying wary when little ones are involved.

[matese]

Great news, walks must be so unnerving never knowing where they will be and what their disposition will be. It's terrific the boys paid them no mind.

[nanajoy]

Originally Posted by matese

Great news, walks must be so unnerving never knowing where they will be and what their disposition will be. It's terrific the boys paid them no mind.

Yes, making sure that the boys do not react is key as far as we are concerned. I was shocked that Ty was brave enough to just walk by since he is so skittish, and the earlier encounter had targeted him. Gus gave the bird side eye as he walked by, but did not let out a single bark, and he is our loud, vocal little scamp. I cannot swear that this was the original bird, but further on the walk we passed a few other cranes hanging out where they have been fed. No problems there either.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by nanajoy

Yes, making sure that the boys do not react is key as far as we are concerned. I was shocked that Ty was brave enough to just walk by since he is so skittish, and the earlier encounter had targeted him. Gus gave the bird side eye as he walked by, but did not let out a single bark, and he is our loud, vocal little scamp. I cannot swear that this was the original bird, but further on the walk we passed a few other cranes hanging out where they have been fed. No problems there either.

Sure hoping you all stay safe but a wild creature this dangerous to your Yorkies is truly unpredictable, like a grizzly bear; and I know you'll be mindful of that, steer well wide so the wild creatures don't mistake anything that either of your little terrier males might inadvertently do, especially as one is 'skittish' and one 'loud'. Male terriers, nesting, nervous wild Sand Cranes with their colts nearby, food. Maybe I'm far too cautious but it seems like a potential recipe for tragedy. Even a sneeze could provoke.

[Yorktowny]

Originally Posted by nanajoy

Update...SUCCESS! On this morning's walk a single adult crane was standing on the sidewalk around the corner from their usual place. As we approached, he inspected us from a distance, then gave a single non-aggressive vocalization and slowly walked off the sidewalk to let us pass. No aggressive wing flap, no reaction at all. We decided to calmly keep walking by, and neither dog reacted either! Of course we will remain watchful, but apparently this crane has decided to live in harmony with our boys...what a relief.

OMG what a happy ending@!! Youre plan of being calm and carrying on like the brits do was perfect!!!! I love how you, your pups and and the birds can all do they thing. Oh and folks are right about being careful still, but this is a great sign for all!!!