It’s hard to believe how quickly Comet has grown. He’s only about four and a half months old, but he’s already getting close to full grown. He’s certainly proportioned more like an adult dog than like a puppy any more.
The other day I was looking at him and it occurred to me: He actually looks a lot like a coyote. And he’s about the right size too. If a person wasn’t paying attention, they could easily mistake this pup for what is viewed as a dangerous pest.
This wouldn’t trouble me too much, except that we live rurally, in an area that has lots of coyotes. And everyone has a gun.
Then I read this article:
Coyote hunter shoots and kills two dogs in state park south of Stoughton
I knew I needed to get Comet something to make him look like he belongs to someone. Something to make him look more obviously like a pet. So I got him a day-glo, reflective vest.
He seems to like it. Doesn’t quarrel about putting it on.
And he gets to pretend like he’s a working dog when he’s wearing it.
At night, it makes him really easy to spot while he goes through his puppy antics.
And by day, it doesn’t seem to inhibit his pleasure at all.
Let’s hope that this vest will be sufficient to keep him safe from those in the area who would not hesitate to kill a coyote.
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 