limbs

When Rocko and I went out in the yard this morning to do our "rounds" - walking the perimeter of our three and a half acres - I spotted a deer's foreleg, frozen solid, laid on the ground next to our deck.

I quickly ascertained that it had been brought, probably by Rocko, from wherever our neighbors throw the leftovers from butchering a deer.

Remembering that my dad used to give the almost meatless deer limbs and feet to our dogs, I picked it up and threw it like a stick for Rocko. He was happy.

But I fear I may have creeped him out a bit by demonstrating that it is, in fact, a foot. He is highly intelligent and sensitive. After I showed him that it is a foot I pointed out the hair & hoof and invited him to smell it. "That's a deer," I said, "it is a deer's foot." He obliged and gave it a good whiff and, understanding what it was, seemed a bit put off. "Ewww ... somebody cut a deer's foot off?"

So far he hasn't really gotten into chewing on it. I expected him to stay out and gnaw on it, but he came back in with me. We never finished our rounds; it was still below freezing and there was a steady wind coming up the valley. We'll go out again later and maybe he'll be more interested in that leg.