|
We always have the
choice to stay inside the house or outside in the garden. Usually we
prefer garden where we can lay on our "lookout post" so we
never miss a thing that happens. Very important for a Dokhyi!
Even when we appear to be asleep we are watching with our
second pair
of eyes "the eyes that never sleep".
Dokhyi observe their surroundings very carefully and if something
seems suspicious (sometimes even the slightest thing may seem suspicious to us!) then we let our family (and the neighbourhood)
know-with a very deep strong voice. Tolerant neighbours are a must for
anyone considering owning a Dokhyi. As evening approaches we become more alert so
that by nightfall we are very aware of any unusual sounds
or changes in our surroundings and if the situation requires it we
will react belives me.
My name is Carlson. I am the leader of the pack but I have a very calm
personality, because of this I am allowed to sleep outside at night. I
am familiar with all the nightime noises and smells of our
neightbourhood, I am on guard throught and I make sure that nothing
and no-one can creep onto our property. Even our neighbours cats,
Gismo and Shila have accepted that. Sometimes the wind carries stange
noises and smells and I must bark a warning, if these "strange"
things come closer then I know I will get support from Bessina and
Chirkhan who sleep inside the house and also from my neighbours dogs
Maikl and Struppi. Luckily these incidents do not happen often and
excepts for two cats, some rabbits, a pair of Pine martens and during
the summer a Hedgehog family, I do not meet many strange things.
I know the night is nearly over when our neighbours goes to work and
the paper boy delivers. Also my family are awake and Bessina and
Chirkhan come outside to do their "morning rounds". I go
inside the for a well-deserved sleep!
One summer a hedgehog family, including six babies made their home in
a thistle bush in the garden. After a short prickly encounter with mum
(and her fleas) Chirkhan decided that he must protect them all from any
evil that may endager them. Every day at a respectful distance by
their bodyguard Chirkhan. No one was allowed near his prickly friends
and if anyone was stupid enough to try he let them know in no
uncertain terms that it would not be a good idea. We did not stop him
as we knew that the "family" would stay for only a short
while.
Chirkhan can sometimes be stubborn and pigheaded and it can be
difficult to get him to change his mind. On the other hand he can be
affectionate and loves to have a kiss and cuddle. He also prefers to
be warm and cosy. During the Summer he will lay out in the sunshine
but once the Autumn mist and rain arrives we find indors on the soft carpet.
He does not enjoy his
daily walks in this weather and prefers to stay at home but Bessina
and I enjoy our daily rounds.
In the Winter when the snow and ice comes we are in our element, we
show our true personality and love to play in the snow. We would enjoy
longer walks but our family prefers to saty indorrs and watch us
throught the window. We have a great time together but they don't like
long walks with red ears and noses. Winter time is
Dokhyitime!
At eight years old
Bessina is the oldest member of the pack. She is a very tall well
built bitch and is often mistaken for a male. A few years ago at an
International Show Bessina entered the ring along with some other
females. The judge looked around and then came over to my mum and
explained that it was a beautiful dog but he could not judge him as
the judging of dogs had been completed. I will no ever forget the look
on this face as he examined Bessina from "top to toe" to
make sure she was a female.
Bessina is a very good foster mum to us boys, she is gentle and
patient (sometimes a bit too patient). Only on a few occassions has
she lost her temper and then it is wise to avoid her teeth and wait
for her to calm down. She is never angry for long and soon the games
start again. Her gentle and eas going diposition has allowed us boys
to improve our position in the pack. Today the heiraichy is absolutely
clear, I am the Boss then at a respectful distance comes Chirkhan and
then our Black Beauty and gentle soul Bessina. |
