This post probably should be entitled “Grit and Determination.” Today while out at the Hidden Valley Golf Course I had the pleasure of meeting one hell of a character, a three legged dog with no name. This dog would have a hell of a story to tell if she could talk. For the sake of this post we will call her Lady.
Lady is kind of the golf course dog. As a matter of fact, she is a recent edition. My friend found Lady caught in a steel trap. After taking her to the vet, her leg had to be removed at the shoulder. The vet said that she was caught in the trap for as long as two weeks. It was a miracle she didn’t die from starvation alone. To watch her now, it is unbelievable the trauma she survived. We were riding a golf cart and Lady would ride under our feet from one spot to the next. I didn’t mind her riding the cart. She was bound and determined to go. I’m working on bringing her home.
This makes me want to talk about trapping a little bit. For Lady to be in the trap that long is outrageous. It shows me that whoever owns the trap shouldn’t be allowed to trap to begin with. I don’t like steel traps. I don’t think any animal should be put through that. Unfortunately there are a few people that still use them. I usually don’t say much though, if it is not an in your face type of thing and it is being done responsibly. I can’t see letting one sit that long without checking it. I don’t know what the standard practice is but I would think they should be checked every day. Lady is a good example of why they should be checked often. Personally, I would just rather not see them in use.
This is one type of steel trap. The one that caught Lady had serrated edges on the jaws.
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August 17th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Terrific post. Grit and determination, indeed.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I hope you get to take Lady home. Sounds like she’d be a good companion and entertaining to boot.
August 17th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I can’t imagine what terror that darling little Lady felt all those days. I hadn’t given traps like that much thought until now.
August 18th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Great post…and I wish we could ban irresponsible trappers.
Looking forward to future posts…
August 18th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
First of all thanx for all comments… I’m behind on replying because my world is a little upside down at the moment…. in a good way this time though, I think.
As far as Lady is concerned I think real soon she will be living with me and that is a good thing.
August 19th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Lady is one lucky dog to have you in her life…good post and soon to be a happy ending!
August 20th, 2007 at 12:49 am
I would agree that trappers need to check their traps on a consistent basis. However where is the responsibility on the dogs owner? Letting a dog roam free is not right. The trapper has some blame but the irresponsible owner has the lion share. I’m sick and tired of free roaming cats and dogs on my property tearing things up and killing animals.
-Moose-
August 20th, 2007 at 1:35 am
As far as anybody knew this dog had no owner until it was found in a trap that was illegally placed on golf course property and then neglected. I don’t know where you live Moose, but here in West Virginia there is nothing for dogs and cats to tear up in the mountains.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I really like this post! I want to ride in the cart with golf course dog
I actually do play golf with the little woman somtimes and bring the dog with.
As always, I enjoyed my stop here at W. Virginia Outdoor Blogspot. See you later Denny -SpeedyCat