Raven and the rabbit

[K9soul]

Last summer a young cottontail took up residence in my yard, behind and under my shed. I walked into the kitchen one day and looked out the window to see Raven just a few feet from the rabbit, frozen. I kept waiting for her to give chase or pounce, but she never moved. She stayed that way for a good 20 minutes or so, until one of the others went out and scared it off.

It's become a favorite pastime since then. I wonder if Raven has some pointing lab in the mix as she seems to have some pointing behaviors and instincts. She never chases the bunny, just approaches a certain amount and then freezes. I've started calling the rabbit Bugs (as in Bugs Bunny) as it has become a regular resident here, and has at least doubled in size since he first took up residence. I caught a video clip from out my office window last summer of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQf4moh4PpM

Today, I got up to get some tea and Raven was standing frozen on the deck. Sure enough Bugs was out there, and a lot bigger!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/raven1-1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/raven6.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/raven2-2.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/raven3-1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/raven4.jpg


And then a random pic thrown in for fun from later this evening, after Raven and Tommy had spent a good hour wrestling and playing, until they finally crashed:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/raventommy-3.jpg

ETA: Found a photo of the rabbit from earlier in the summer:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/ravenwatching2.jpg

[Karen]

Hee hee! Good girl, Raven! Thanks for not chasing the bunny!

My friend had two Pointers, both rescues that hadn't had any training, but the slightest odd noise from somewhere, and they'd both go into textbook perfect one paw raised, tail out straight, rigid POINT!

[finn's mom]

How sweet. Totally different events would have occurred at our house. ;) And, your little bunny friend sure grew up to be a handsome one!

[k9krazee]

Oh wow, that's adorable. There would be a MUCH different outcome at my house.

[ramanth]

That's so cute! Not sure what wouldn't happen with my two.

[scrain2329]

good baby not chasing the bunny!
Our two hunters would definitely chase. Trey likes to chase the squirrls. one time one went into shock and trey caught him. The lab mouth he has, he was very gentle and just licked it till it "woke" back up. Haven't really seen any since then, I was freaking out and thought it was dead : (! fortunately he bounced back and squirted off! haha! fun pictures, thanks for showing!:love:

[cassiesmom]

Happy Raven! How sweet of you to keep an eye on the bunny! I love the picture of Raven and Tommy crashing and I love the ones of the bunny through the fence posts. HUG HUG HUG for Raven, Tommy and Tasha!

[ParNone]

Well that's amazing, Raven standing there so still for that long. There's no way my 2 would. There'd be much barking and nose poking (well attempted... not sure they're fast enough to actually nose poke a rabbit... :)).

Par...

[K9soul]

Heya Par!

It's amazing to me too especially since otherwise Raven is so full of bounce and run. If she's not sleeping she's never really holding all that still :p. So my amazement when I first saw her frozen like that was even greater because I never would have guessed she'd have the patience or attention span to sustain it for so long. She's so very meticulous and careful when she sees her bunny buddy out there.

Tommy is oblivious to Bugs, Tasha will chase him if she sees him, but she is usually looking up when she goes out, she's more a squirrel kinda girl ;).

Thanks for the comments! :D

[Lori Jordan]

That must be amazing to be able to watch and see the rabbit grow.Raven is such a good pup,When we first moved into our home 5 years ago we had a family of chipmunks in our back yard,Thanks to Maggy we no longer see any chipmunks or squirrels.

They dont hurt any of the wildlife but they do chase them off.

Do you feed this bunny?

[Daisy and Delilah]

Awwwww, what a good girl you are, Raven. This doesn't surprise me. I love this story, Jess. It's so sweet. The bunny has really grown and he's quite beautiful. The pic of Tommy and Raven is priceless. I think you have the most comfy place for the doggies to sleep that I've ever seen.:)

Kisses all around from me please!!:D {{{{{JESS}}}}}

[RobiLee]

Awwww, Raven always brings a smile to my face. I can't believe she stands so still while she is watching the bunny. We certainly wouldn't have that kind of behavior here. Bugs has grown into a healthy looking bunny and thats so cool that you get to watch him. Love the picture of Tommy and Raven all crashed out on their beds. Please give some hugs and kisses to all three furkids!

[K9karen]

By the size of it, the BIG Bunny looks like it'd give Raven a run for her money! Mz Logan stalks and freezes too, but the outcome would be different here, too!!!!!! I love you Raven and Tommy.

[shais_mom]

aww raven how cute!!
dang that is a HUGE bunny!!

[Alysser]

Can't believe I didn't catch this thread. Pointers are fascinating dogs and she looks like one in that video!

[pitc9]

Oh wow, that's adorable. There would be a MUCH different outcome at my house.

My house as well!!

Wow, that's a HUGE bunny!!