Learning Curves (Feral Cat Meets Her Pyr)

    I recall every detail of Rosey's first (and only) litter of pups. Because it happened smack dab in the middle of the 2013 arctic blast, we (like a mother arguing with her teenage daughter) "debated" where the pups should be born. Me? I thought they should wind up under the dining room table for their first days so I could keep a close eye on them. Part of that was selfish I admit, but part of that was cautionary: given the size of both mama and litter, it is advised to keep an eye on the count as it is not uncommon for a mama Pyr to accidentally smother one in her sleep. Determined NOT to let that happen, I made one heck of a refrigerator box-puppy crib, but Rosey, being Rosey, said "Screw that" and commenced to having her puppies in the great outdoors in her favorite spot under the deck. (Only Rosey wasn't watching the weather channel, nor did she understand just how cold that "Polar Arctic Blast" could be.)
     At 32 degrees and falling when it started, Rosey hunkered down in her pick of places as I pulled out extension cords, blowers, heat bulbs, blankets and towels, and in my thermal romper and earmuffs spent the next 8 hours crouched along side her making sure every puppy got dried as quickly as possible. (Breaking water and freezing temps can make for instant pup-cicles if you're not careful.) By evening, with the help of neighbors and friends, we managed (in the 2 seconds Rosey got up to pee) to shift the puppies indoors; 2 days later, we shifted them to a make-shift nursery in the basement where they stayed for the next 8 weeks of their precious puppy lives.
     By week six, my farmer friend Thurman was chiding: "You're gonna spoil them dogs; they won't be worth a plug nickel if you don't get 'em out there with the goats. These dogs need to be getting used to the things they're gonna protect." Thurman is right about this, but of course, being Rosey's dogs they were extra smart pups to start with. Today I'm happy to report that no one got damaged by me keeping them indoors an extra couple of weeks. Today, 2 of the pups guard alpacas; 2 live on a horse farm in upstate New York; 1 guards a rescue shelter including dogs, cats and a goose with a broken leg and Rosebud and Hix, of course, do a masterful job keeping watch over our goats here along with their big-headed uncle, TJ.
     But an interesting thing happened throughout this ordeal.  Rosey, whose first year of life was spent with goats, patrols their parameter, but given all the time and energy spent indoors, her true guard is now more the house and everything residing therein and around, which means she now has new protectorates to consider.
     I'm proud to say, Rosey (the most self-actualized dog I have ever known) takes to these things quite well. She was unphased when Lilly, a rescue we fostered, shared her space for 2 weeks. Throughout Layla's ordeal, Rosey was sympathetic and mothering, lying next to the wounded pup as she healed from her surgery, sharing space, food, treats and (biggest share of all) her mama. (i.e. Rosey was not at all jealous, which as any dog lover knows, is always a risk.) And for the week we enjoyed the company of two 10-week old pups TJ sired, well, Rosey actually tried to nurse them despite the fact that she had been out of milk for 6 whole months.
     But now we have new critters. Our (so called) feral cats are now venturing forth, discovering new turf, appearing on porch decks....climbing big trees. It was bound to happen. One by one they must encounter Rosey, who basically needs to sniff 'em out and get used to the fact that they are here to stay.
     [Author's Note: when it comes to smaller critters like chickens or kittens, it IS best to raise a Pyr as a pup alongside the animals you wish them to protect, as their instinctive wiring is for goats, sheep and larger things. Rosebud's rambunctious reaction gave pause (paws) for concern a few weeks ago, but fortunately today she's back on her old turf and a bit preoccupied. Furthermore, if these cats have any remaining feral in them at all, which they do, I truly do not worry, after all God gave 'em tree-climbing gear for a reason, and that stuff works great for swatting big dog noses in addition to everything else.]
     As for Rosey, who was taught by Boo how to properly respect a cat...we're feeling good about things, despite this one scary moment when brave little Gracie met great big Rosey for the first time!