The sun was setting as I walked with my Golden Retriever out to the field to let her go outside. At the time, my husband and I lived in an apartment and there was a big field that we let our dogs go play and do their business. The bad news was that some coyotes had decided to take up residence in the field. Normally this would not bother me if these coyotes were shy, but these ones had no fear. They would walk very close to us and we were afraid they might attack (we had a Chihuahua as well). Golden Retrievers are pretty well known as a mellow dog breed, but that day London did something that surprised me.
It would prove her loyalty to us was unmatched. There were two coyotes in the field, probably a male and female, and London was off leash. All of a sudden London took off like a flash of lightning after these two coyotes! That’s right, my happy-go-lucky Golden, one of the sweetest dog breeds in existence was running full tilt after two coyotes! My husband and I were concerned; it would not be pretty if London got into a big fight and got hurt and you never know if a wild animal has rabies. Luckily, the coyotes took off and we were able to coax London back. She was not bitten or hurt in any way, but it touched my heart at the loyalty that she would willingly chase down two coyotes to keep us safe. London was to prove her mettle once again when I had a strange incident take place at the same apartment complex. There was a cat, I’m not sure if it was feral or a pet of a resident. In any case, I was walking my dogs and the cat hissed and arched its back at me. This is not unusual, many cats are afraid of dogs. I was unconcerned until London and Mija (my Chihuahua) began to try to sniff the cat and the cat went wild. If you know Chihuahuas, you know they are a fearless dog breed and she was all of five pounds trying to take on this cat!
The cat went wild and latched onto my leg. I was wearing jeans at the time but this cat bit me and left marks on my leg. Well, the next day this cat managed to show up again and I was pretty miffed that I had been bitten by this cat. Somehow London had remembered the scent of that cat and chased this cat into the parking lot underneath our car and began barking at her and digging as if she wanted to drag the cat out! If you’ve ever owned a Golden you know this dog breed likes to make friends with everyone and everything. However, I believe London knew this cat had hurt her mommy and was protecting me. It was the only time I remember that London really growled. In any case, this cat eventually disappeared and I am grateful I did not have to get a set of rabies shots.
the coyote chaser, Pixabay
