Trackin' Dawgs

Sighting of Momma: Stopped to drop off the evening food for the strays, this time I carried a hammer to help peel up the tin roof on the rubble. I'm also dressed in hiking boots and jeans rather than my usual work clothes. My plan...see if there are puppies under there - dead or alive! But, I could see there was no way to peel up the tin even with a hammer, so went back to the truck for my flashlight so I could crawl under....and there she was!! Standing yards away from my truck, zipping by me and right to the dog food bowl. (laughing at me as she went, I know I heard that!) So I toss in some Alpo and head off to squeeze under the rubble. I finally found the spot where the puppies had been. So, at least I know she moved them and they didn't die under that pile of junk. But moved to where?

Trackin' Momma Dawg: After she eats, she just stands there looking at me. I see a path through the weeds to the east and decide to follow that. No luck, nothing that way. Head back west and she's gone. Brat! Didn't get a chance to follow her. So, I head west, around a drainage pond and see Dog Tracks! Lots of 'em in the mud! So, feeling a faint trace of Indian blood in me, I start trackin' dawgs. Made it to a cul-de-sac in the new construction area, only a single house on it and there were cars in the driveway. I tracked back to my car, drove up to this house and asked the owner if he'd seen a black and rust smallish dog who was obviously feeding a litter. What luck! He'd not only seen her, he'd seen her make 3 trips with puppies in her mouth (so she has at least three left), and showed me where she crossed behind his house. There was a creek back there and on the other side some old buildings behind an old farm house. He gave me permission to cross his property if I need to track her down.

Trespasser: Drove by the farm house and stopped at the next driveway where a house had recently been torn down. I trespassed onto that property to see if she'd stashed the pups in the still standing out-buildings. No such luck.

New Plan: That's it for tonight. So, at least I know she moved the puppies. Possibly because the heavy rains allowed water under the rubble. Don't know if all the puppies survived. My next plan is to write a note to leave on the mailbox at that farm house explaining the puppy situation and leaving my phone number. I know someone lives there, seen the cars...but don't wanna go waltzing in there alone. Hey, this is rural North Carolina....they might shoot me! I'm hoping they'll call and be more than happy to rid themselves of a pile of stray pups. I'll have my partner in crime, Jenny, visiting this weekend to help me.