I’m afraid my friends that I have some shocking news, and I suggest that if you are of a sensitive nature or a paid-up member to a Poultry Protection Project you may want to skip this post ….
It is my sad duty to tell you that these doe-eyed, angel faced pups have actually been pulling the wool over our eyes.
This is not a picture of two cute pets, but of two hardened and heartless criminals …….
This morning he must have headed the expedition, and Gibson, who would never have worked out this sort of stunt on his own, simply followed suit … the rest as they say is history.
Luckily our neighbours were out at the market while we grabbed a ladder to get over the wall then stumbled around their garden catching and cursing dogs and collecting feathers. hmmm….
I can reassure the chicken lovers among you by saying that there weren’t any bodies to be buried, although several of the chicks did look quite shocked and a little bare around the upper limbs! When the neighbours got home, and found our apology pinned to their gate, they were very generous and understanding.
89 comments
So glad the chickens are ok… they are so cute!
Who doesn't love a terrier?…I have two…they keep me young…er…old….ok, exasperated ! They are the best dogs I have ever had. 3 cheers for "the ringleader"…..k
Mother Nature, can't blame the absolutely adorable Ghetto! Those two are such a cute pair! Thanks for sharing.
I really feel for you, in the country such deeds are hanging offences. It will be difficult to live down such disgrace, but at least Gibson looks repentent, while Ghetto looks decidedly defiant! Hopefully your new barricade will work.
Shall I tell you I used to have a "Ghetto" his name was Flip. His passion was, in order: ground hogs, moles, snakes, and an occasional possum. At the time it was acceptable to permit him to roam our property. Occasionally he would dash across the road to roll around in the freshly laid manure in the fields. I know, it was special. He would line his critters up on the patio for acknowledgement and praise. Nothing we did would deter him. Terriers are driven without a doubt. Fortunately, no chickens were harmed in his forays, as far as I know anyway!
Those are the most adorable chicken chasers I've ever seen. I love that photo of the two of them together.
Your story reminds me of my pommie pup. I'm always saying she's "cute for a reason." :p
Kristin
Oh dear…. 🙂 Our chickens walk all over our golden now but in the beginning it was a different story. He was just a little toooooo curious about his new feathered sisters. Now if he hears one squawking for some reason he runs to protect. When my son came to visit this summer with his new pup, a basset hound, she took off after one of the free roaming chickens. Scared her to death. 🙂 Glad all is well at your home. 🙂
I hate to think of the carnage you witnessed over the wall. After seeing that… I would have gone in the house for healthy shot of brandy in my morning coffee.
But they look so innocent, hah. Why are you buying replacements. The owners may not want more. Those feathered behinds were too tempting.
Yes,but these precious puppies do look so innocent! Don't be too hard on them :)) They don't look like they will do it again…hopefully!
Dogs will be dogs. They actually forgot their breeding for a moment in the quest for pure fun. This story will be one of my favorites. Chickens are OK…but DOGS RULE !!!
It's hard to believe that these two dogs could have done anything like that! Just look at those innocent faces…do you think they know they are in the doghouse? HA I can just see you taking a double take when you saw the flash of white! HA
I hate to say it, but when I read your post to Lila, my Mother's fox terrier, she was in favor of egging Ghetto on! I think she would like to join him on a chicken hunting expedition! Is there no end to the mischief a terrier can get into? xo
Cute story!!! We had this happened to us in Buenos Aires where I grew up….our dogs always loved our neighbour's chickens…..but here in Toronto in the area where I live, we aren't allowed to have chickens, so my little poodle Nala, has to be content by chasing squirrels that are usually way faster then her….Thanks for sharing the story, I'm just too lazy to log on to your blog and leave a comment, so I'm doing it here!!! Hugs
I decided to post the comment on your blog after all.
Teresa Zofia Wysocka Tendera
Haha…it's not funny, but it is sooo funny the way you tell a story! I loved it and you made me smile. The culprits are so adorable!
It's terrible, I know… But lucky none of the chickens got terminally injured this time. My parents had a Rottweiler/ridgeback. He was an awesome dog, so friendly and well behaved (after his initial run in with a mouthful of feathers and my angry mother yelling at him, he learnt his lesson 🙂 but every now and again, the devil got the better of him and he used to chase their free roaming chickens! He never wanted to hurt them (or maybe he did but he knew he'd get in trouble for it) but he would run at them and watch them fly, I now have a Border Collie that does the exact same thing, I think he picked up some bad habits from him! For some reason, dogs just can't resist chasing those chickens' feathery little behinds!
Our neighbors banished our now rescue pup (Gabby) for the very same thing. Snuck into their coop and ate two chickens. Whole. We offered to take her and haven't regretted it since. Course we have no chickens except the roasted kind. ;p
I know this isn't funny – but you've cheered up my whole day. Thanks.
O kay…. I'll take those gangstas off your hands 😉
Catherine aka Pup Sheriff
Cute they may be, but they can never be trusted with chickens after this. My ex's spaniels got into my coop and killed my girls, and then kept a constant vigil to get at the replacements. I gave up keeping chickens because of them…and eventually gave up that husband as well 🙂
So adorable… but they always know when they have done wrong…!
I used to have that problem with one of my dogs when I used to keep chickens… and a couple of times I found the lifeless bodies of my feathered friends… the solution to ending the carnage is to tie the dead carcass of the chicken around the dog's neck and let him carry it around with him all day…! The weight and the odor will torment him. He will not want to even get near the little darlings again…
Cute criminals, indeed.
Fondly,
Glenda
Oh my goodness, haha, this is bad but so funny too- love the way you write!
Oh those two certainly DO look doe-eyed and innocent!
Those poor horrified chickens!
Shocking and hilarious all at the same time. The accomplice looks concerned so he might be a bit remorseful, bless his heart!
And those pups look so harmless and sweet…BAD dogs! They are precious and I assume just going with their nature. Glad the chickens survived.
Yes I have had several encounters of the years with escape artists killing neigbours expensive rare rabbits and sadly chickens – its not a pretty site – I think you got off lightly! If it wasn't so naughty it would be comical – instincts are instincts at the end of the day. Yes we had to barricade our in too.
Glad the chickens are okay, but the dogs? They are adorable and soooo innocent looking! lol
I had two thoughts. 1. Dog Whisperer, 2. That old Johnny Cash song "that dirty ole egg sucking dog"; who knew you could right a song about that subject, but here is proof. Well, maybe three thoughts. Tall fences make good neighbors. Those are some cute dogs though.
Precious tale. I have no chickens in my neighborhood. Send Ghetto over.
oh i am sure it was all about having a little innocent fun with the chix. glad all are safe.
🙂
michele
Ahhh, Pups will be pups. My sweet Pup would have had such good time with some chickens ! He would have made friends with them first.. before making them play chase 🙂
Dear Sharon, I must admit this is one of the "very few" comments I make on a blog but; this is one not to hold back on. If your to be published book is anything like this let me be the first one to encourage you to FINISH IT.. I don't don't know whether to laugh or cry but; there are tears rolling down the side of my face. You guess which it is!!! I do miss you lovely smile and I do have such good memories of this past September. May life treat you as well as you did us. Hugs and my best, Cheri H.
Ha! I "live" for stories of Gibson and Ghetto. I think Ghetto has been patiently strategizing, had a window…and took it, Gibson dutifully bringing up the rear.
Unfortunately, my shepherd lies in wait for the cat. She quivers in excitement at the sight of him and I have no doubt about her not having his best interests in mind.
However, should she decide to get brave and go after the two rats which have infiltrated our bungalow the past four wretched nights (wretched for them because they're trying to not get frozen in the frosty night; wretched for us because we can't find how they're getting inside this vintage property encased in their trees), I would reward her handsomely for a good "kill" (as horrible as that sounds; but, sorry, I abhor rats); alas, she instead growls menacingly, only to tuck tail and, coward, RUNS in the opposite direction!
Qui moi? Ça s'peut pas!!! Too funny! I guess those hens won't be laying eggs for a few days from the shock of it all, lol!
Those innocent faces will get you every time.
Nicole
They're so adorable, I'd have a hard time being seriously mad at them.
Double trouble.
I love those sweet faces.
~Lynne
w/L.
+
hmmm..still I would take side with the dogs 🙂
chickens are so fun to run with..haa 🙂
happy new year..havent been here in a while 🙂
what a cute tail of two trouble makers 🙂 they are adorable and glad that the chickens didn't get hurt tooo bad…. sorry they are in the dog house too hopefully not for too long.. thanks for sharing made my night!!!
I am all to familiar with the chicken chasing escapades since I grew up on a farm. Great story but not so great when you are the owner of the chicken chasers! Those tails are just so tempting are they not? Adorably guilty.
Sharon…I just adore those two! My first thought when I read 'shocking news'…she is moving. A relief that you are not! This was much more fun. Those two rascals of yours are a treasure and I say more G&G; stories please…they are everything you could imagine in a French Country Home…especially yours Sharon. Long live family life!
Jeanne xx
Hi Sharon….those two Gibson and Ghetto were just the center of a conversation I was having with a shop owner Michele Power of Avec Moi Decor in Los Olivos, CA. I did a guest blog of her beautiful shop and told her about your blog and of course she's hooked too! Funny…it's a small (four-legged world). I even think you ordered some things from you and I'm glad she loves your blog and those dogs.
Rita
Send me the little dog……there are no chickens here….lol!
I would take those sweeties any day, but I am dealing with a 14 year old mutt who is being terrorized by my son's visiting cats. While we were on vacation at Christmas, the male cat convinced Dorge that we weren't coming home and the cat was in charge. Our house sitter said Dorje spent the entire week pouting on the sofa because the cat had taken over Dorje's bed.
Aren't animals the greatest!
dogs !
a shocking tale, especially for the chickens, but beautifully written and illustrated.
poor gibson, he looks flat out after it all.
hope he and ghetto are out of the doghouse soon.
Love your tale of Ghetto & Gibsons escapade with your neighbours chickens.So funny. I had a similar thing happen, with my 3 Labradors. We all said No they wouldn't do that, but they did, well the pup did, & they were all banished to the doghouse.
I have been through the same experience……shocking as it is, the dogs love the thrill of the chase. The noise is dreadful and the feathers flying is hard to take but that is what dogs do.
Oh my goodness, so Ghetto and Gibson decided to do a shakedown on the neighbor's chickens. I don't think there's a dog out there who can resist trying to chase when those tail feathers are sashaying by. Quite an escapade those two were up to. Hope they won't be in the doghouse very long.
Our dogs, Churchill, Frank Bruno and Ella Fitzgerald get on well with our chickens, ducks and geese here in rural Pas de Calais… or so we thought! Aroused by horrendous squawking one day I found Churchill the German Pinscher with a mouth full of feathers from Eaglet the gay cockerel whilst the other two dogs looked on amazed. Since then they have led separate lives – you never know with dogs when the urge will overtake them!
I laughter so hard I had tears, funny storie very well written
I laughter so hard I had tears, funny storie very well written
Of course my first response was "Not Gibson, he would never do such a thing!"–poor Ghetto, he can't help it…
Bon Weekend 🙂
Very funny story! Good to hear that no chickens were harmed in the writing of this blog!!
So scrambled eggs before laying an egg.. So funny, so true! I guess the leader of the pack is proud and he's gentle minded golder friend has seen the lights? My dachshunds tend to excel themselves, one loves neighbour' cat, youngest is obsessed with squirrels and her mother is totally into balls. Sometimes more fun sometimes embarrasing moments. Love your pet stories,
Sari
But they're so cute, funny story but unfortunate for the chickens.
I just want to commend you for the care and attention you are giving to protecting your neighbor's chickens. You are a great neighbor. I am sure that it was easy for them to be gracious to you. My neighbor has two dogs that have repeatedly attacked and plundered my little flock with many dead bodies to show for it. I have them fenced in a yard but the dogs always seem to find a way in. The neighbors refuse to pen or tie up their dogs saying dogs should be able to run free in the country. My heart breaks every time those dogs brutally murder my chickens that I raised from chicks. So thank you for being a responsible and sweet neighbor. Oh, and it really is not the dogs fault. They are dogs and it is a thrilling adventure for them so again I commend you.
It happens…barnyard calamity! Perhaps your neighbor needs a rooster, although he would probably be an unlucky match to the canines? The newborn lambs and goat kids are also vulnerable in Spring! I'm happy to hear you're a responsible pet owner!
Ghetto has the shameful look of guilt all over his precious little face. If they weren't such a cute looking "gang" I would be mad at them:) I am SO happy the chickens are OK…thankfully! Happy there was a happy ending to this entertaining story.
PS You have to stop by….and see what you created over in my neck of the woods:)
You gotta love Ghetto – he looks like a stuffed animal!
Dogs are meat-eaters and hunters.
OH DEAR!That has happened to me here at VILLA LA BOHEME too!However, the chickens were ours not those of thy neighbors!Good luck with the new fencing!
I'm sorry to be giggling, but it was bound to happen!
That ghetto had it in for those chickens, and Henry was hoping he got that loud mouth rooster!
Happy Weekend. xo
sorry…but smiling here. 🙂 ok..maybe a little laughter, too. Glad the neighbors are of the understanding sort. Those two villains of yours are too adorable. My cats have those same guilty looks when caught with a bird. 🙂
We have two mischievous dogs of our own, Louis and Zoie. Thankfully they've never ruffled any feathers! I'm glad the chickens are alright. Wishing you a more peaceful weekend once the fence is up!
It's always the ones you least expect- but with those sweet faces I'm sure they can get away with anything!- and since there were no casualties, I didn't feel badly having a good laugh over this. Thanks for sharing!
Too funny!: Gehtto is such a cute dog. How did you decide on his name? Thanks for sharing. SS
Put them on a plane to Atlanta. They can come visit Aunt Mary Beth for awhile… 😀
Poor guys, I love their faces. Sorry, but they didn't mean it. Hee Hee.
Lisa
leeshideaway.blogspot.com
OH miss the life in the country sometimes! How fun…my parents have chickens, they are not so innocent themselves and would kill each other for food too! Dogs are our friends, chickens bring eggs and we eat them (: oops better go and defrost some for supper!
Thanks for the reminder, enjoy the french country….hugs Z
Barkley(my dog) is afraid of his shadow so I am sure the chickens would be safe!(I say that hopefully)Ghetto & Gibson look so cherub like-dogs will be dogs! Thank you for being such a caring neighbor. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
More ammo to back up my protests, as MOTH is keen to get some chooks. Lulu Spoodle would be beside herself with joy & so would our neighbourhood Mr. Fox who I see dashing across the lane & into our property via a hole in the laurel hedge quite often at night. I'm very impressed with your excellent eyesight Sharon!
Millie xx
That Ghetto is such a smarty pants. Bet the new fence won't faze him!
oh, this made me chuckle! I do love chickens and have been wanting a few of my own for quite awhile now, but dogs(boys)will dogs(boys). And wonderful photographs!
You are such an entertaining storyteller! But then of course I am Bewitched and under the spell of the Ghetto/Gibson Duo. They can do no wrong in my eyes . . .
Truly, an enchanting blog that inspires, enlightens . . . and just makes my day!
Hilarious! This gave me an early morning laugh so thank you for that! I think both your dogs look adorable and completely believe that the Hens enticed the boys over to 'play chase'. No way could 2 such adorable looking dogs be so naughty!
Mind you, our own hen 'Big Momma' has survived 2 similar games of chase and subsequent mauling from our GSD, the last time we even had to save her from the jaws of destruction!
Love the photographs of your 2 dogs and love hearing their antics – that little laugh has set me up for the day. Thank you 🙂
I am now your newest follower so that I can keep updated on these guys!
Linda
Your post is really funny!! This is the cutest hearless criminals I've ever seen. And if you like dogs you should really see this video: https://teddyhilton.com/2013-01-11-puppy-teaches-puppy-how-to-go-down-the-stairs . I promise it's not an ad, it's really a very very cute dog video!!
Manon
https://the-dancing-skeleton.blogspot.fr/
Oh dear, naughty pups, don't you just love them!
Sue
thank you for your kind comments, those mutts do not deserve such indulgence on your behalf!
oh my…so sorry I had to chuckle at these two little whippersnappers! They have faces of angels, who could believe? Just doing what comes natural
I am sorry for laughing but they look so sweet. My sister's dog used to do this too. He mostly took after the ducks next door. He was put up and when the poor thing got arthritis he stopped.
They are just doing what their instincts at times tells them to do and I guess that is hunting for food.
blessings
betsy
Oh dear, how could they possibly be doing something so naughty – they look so sweet and innocent. I couldn't help laughing though – sorry.
I'm sure that you could not bear to part with your loveable duo, however mischievous they are.
That Ghetto must have some Jack Russel in him they are very naughty-But they just cant help it, I had one and he was very brave and quite a varmit hunter but oh yes the lure of soft chicken feathers in his mouth was also too much, Good luck with the bad boys.
That Ghetto is a wicked, wicked monkey!! And that is one more reason to love him!! Onward, brave Ghetto!!
Haha – that's brilliant! I remember when we were staying there he was practicing that move up the bushes. Leigh
So funny story, good thing no chickens were harmed. Ghetto and Gibson are still cute.
They are the cutest criminals ever!
I'm sure they are too naughty to stay with you any longer – I wan them both killer trait and all. How could you stay mad at them? When you go away would you send them to me for a holiday please?
My WFT did some similar acrobatics with a fence and cage to access the neighbors rabbits. The neighbors were not happy! My WFT got into alot of mischief in his day. Lots of very entertaining stories, the rascal. And, they take looking innocent to an art form.
So funny story, good thing no chickens were harmed. Ghetto and Gibson are still cute.
Oh I am just cracking up over your two characters! So entertaining!
-Shelley