Thanks for all your suggestions as to what might be making the holes in my yard. I've decided that those of you who suggested the armadillo were right. I know we have them in this neighborhood. There are some really funny stories I could tell about armadillo hunts in the 'hood. And I believe I will tell one of the funniest.
Our friend Bob on the street behind us has one of the prettiest lawns in the neighborhood, and he works very hard to keep it that way.
A couple of years back, he noticed these holes appearing in his yard and knew immediately that he had armadillo problems. (Those of you who are gun shy might want to stop reading now.) Bob, being irate about his yard, decided to stage an ambush. Not being a shooter, Bob had to borrow a gun from Vann, a 22 pistol as I recall. Bob stayed up several nights, sitting on his deck, waiting for Mr. Armadillo. He saw the little fellow a couple of times but could never draw a bead on him.
After about a week of this, Bob invited some neighborhood guys to make the third watch with him. So they all gathered on Bob's deck to stage the armadillo ambush. 'Long about midnight, Vann got tired and came home. But the next day, Gene told him the whole story of what went down after he left.
Mr. Armadillo did indeed show up. By that time, I think Bob had had a couple of Buds and was also exhausted from several nights with little sleep. He determined to get that little beast not matter what. So, in sock feet no less, Bob ran out into the night chasing the armadillo through the woods behind his house, getting off several shots as he ran, and yelling, "Get the hoe, Marybeth," (Marybeth being his wife). I think Gene and the others who were present hit the deck, literally, in fear of stray bullets.
Bob finally returned without having nabbed the 'dilla to find Marybeth standing there with hoe in hand. Bob's only comment was, "I didn't know those things could run so fast."
That night all the men in the neighborhood decided that Bob's best bet (and safest for all concerned) for his armadillo problem was a Have-a-Heart trap. So Bob gave Vann his pistol back and set the trap. He caught a couple of squirrels and, as I recall, even one kitty cat in that Have-a-Heart. But to this day, that armadillo has eluded him.
Sophie and I have decided to just leave our armadillo alone and let him dig. It gives Sophie that many more scents to sniff every morning.
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On 04/29/2010, gayle said ...
That had me laughing this morning. :-)
On 04/29/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
Thanks for the laugh! I can just imagine the night time chaos and chase. Too funny!
How goes the sewing room preparation, the dining room painting, and the dining set saga?
AMIL made me a Lemon Pound Cake for my birthday yesterday (59 - yikes!) and it's delicious. She used Lady Bird Johnson's recipe. How about that?!
Hugs!
On 04/29/2010, Courtney Short-Prudhomme said ...
sounds like something my husband would do LOL
On 04/29/2010, Debbie said ...
Bwahaha! Men! Why am I not surprised?
On 04/29/2010, Joanne said ...
Looks like a possum in armor.
On 04/29/2010, KAI said ...
LESSON FOR THE DAY: Do not read Susan's posts while drinking a glass of Crystal Light. Laughter & drinking make for serious spewing, & computer monitors are harder to read with spewed stuff. LOL! Loved the post!!! Love YOU!
On 04/29/2010, Kelly Ann said ...
I had no idea you had armadillos in Alabama...who knew...
On 04/29/2010, Niki said ...
Did you know that God has a sense of humor? Well of course, he created armadillos.
God bless them -- I've seen so many squashed on the highway that I'm glad you and Sophie have decided to let him/her be.
Why not start a name the armadillo contest amongst your bloggers"? You're so creative that I'm certain you've already found the perfect name. I hope it's printable and you're willing to share.
On 04/29/2010, Rebekah Crown said ...
What funny chase story! I never thought they could run fast either! Those are really crazy-looking critters! That's one animal you don't see around here.
On 04/30/2010, Jen in NY said ...
Sounds like "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl. Too funny!
On 04/30/2010, Jen in NY said ...
Sounds like the story of "The Fantastic Mr. Fox," except with an armadillo. Too funny!
We have a Have-A-Heart trap set for rabbits...so far we've caught one squirrel. I'm not holding my breath.
On 05/13/2010, Building a house said ...
That is quite hilarious!
I enjoyed the story.
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