We were out in the yard this morning, boys were wrestling/playing/fetching the ball... I was sitting on the porch steps watching them. Down the street comes an old guy w/a cane, and when he started walking really close to our fence the boys ran over to "investigate", and let out a few soft woofs. By no means were they threatening or menacing... I think they were mostly curious, especially since the guy chose to walk in the grassy area right next to our fence instead of on the side walk.
Anyway... the man apparently felt threatened for some reason, because he started waving his cane at the dogs while yelling at them to "get". I called for both of them to come to me, and they both started to run toward me at full speed... until Sepp made a sharp turn right in front of me... and took a flying leap over our six feet high fence, with room to spare.
I grabbed Faust and shoved him in the house, and by the time I got back outside Sepp was barking and circling the guy, and the guy was trying to poke at him w/his cane. I yelled for Sepp to "come" (he ignored me) while yelling at the same time at the guy to stop trying to hit my dog (he ignored me, too), but when I got close enough... Sepp stopped barking/circling - sat down, and waited for me so I could grab him.
I apologized to the man, got Sepp back in the house, and poured myself a hefty portion of rum in my tea. WTF?????
I also half expected the cops to show up, but they didn't...
Even w/all this going on I noticed a couple of things - Sepp never once growled, his hackles weren't raised, and his tail was at "half-mast" and wagging. It looked to me like he was trying to "herd" the guy away from the house/fence rather than wanting to attack/bite him. I know if he had wanted to hurt him - he could have.
This dog has been around TONS of people lately (because of vet visits and chemo), and he is usually not leery of strangers, nor is he overly cautious or protective to the point of showing any aggression.
He'll sometimes bark at people who approach the house/yard to talk to me, but usually settles down immediately when told to do so.
I have NO idea what possessed him to jump the fence this morning... (and as bad as it sounds - it WAS a beautiful sight to see him fly over it so easily...
)I do realize that this behavior is "dangerous" and unacceptable - I already dug out his long lead, and he'll be attached to that (and me) from now on until I can figure out what to do about my fence.
I never in a million years thought that either of my dogs could clear a six foot fence that effortless (and so graceful, at that)... but knucklehead never seizes to amaze me when it comes to keeping me on my toes.
So... that's how MY morning started. How was yours?
), and Sepp showed enough self-control for me to completely trust him.
)
