Remembering Smiley

My sister had a little yellow chihuahua named Smiley.

He was an unobtrusive reasonably well mannered inclusion to their family and I always liked the little animal because of his timid nature and subsequent avoidance.

They had a number of these dogs including a large frankenstein version with a big head they called "Dude" and some other little sweet dogs that were lap pets of a sort ...

One day Smiley fell upon tragedy and was dragged off into the night kicking and screaming by a hungry coyote.

They heard him yelping off into the distance and it is the general consensus that he likely was consumed by the much larger canine then pooped out some 6 hours later.

Alas, poor Smiley, I knew him Horatio.

Needless to say something of a war ensued with coyotes meeting their own unfortunate ends at the barrel of a rifle. And now we have coyote mating season. It is said to pose a threat for pets. Given the fate of poor Smiley I can certainly see why.

It is said that coyotes typically mate in the winter and the season for this lasts til early March whereby they'll whelp pups about two months later.

State wildlife officials intimate that coyotes can become more aggressive toward dogs during this time of year. I personally don't see how the aggression could "increase" ... I think it's simply redirected. They are just looking for other animals upon which to prey, be they dogs, cats, mice, human toddlers on golf greens ... whatever.

It is thought that playing music may actually spook prowling coyotes and the free range companion animal is a natural target. Those suggestions for handling coyote encounters include acting a little aggressive towards them. Don't run, back away from them.

The threat imposed by these wild canines will end toward the end of March. Poor Smiley didn't have the benefit of light nor the protection of humans. He wandered out into his own yard at night after being let out to relieve himself.

Little do we know the consequences of our actions in some cases like the nocturnal coyote out for a nice meal of defenseless chihuahua.