So, you know how those of you in neighborhoods have that one annoying neighbor who walks his dog and doesn't pick up after it? Well, it seems we have the rural version of it. About 2/3 of the way up our driveway is one gigantic pile of large animal excrement. That is odd enough, but we also have 2 similar piles in the orchard. The orchard is hidden on the back half of our property and fenced in on three sides. The only side not fenced is the side facing the house.
We are completely baffled.
What large animal (or two?!) was it? How in the world did we not see it, especially since, judging by the placement and number of piles, it had to visit more than once?? To whom does this animal belong?? Who is going to clean up after it??
Mystery #2:
Who actually bends down to catch the poo as the dog poos it? I went to the almighty internet to find an image I could doctor to jokingly create a sign for my neighbors to clean up after their large animals, only to come across a whole bunch of signs like this...
Why is that person kneeling behind the dog with the bag out like he's going to catch whatever the dog dishes out?
Mystery #3:
We worked hard last summer to get things planted and prettied up in the flower beds around the house, only for the dogs to dig up everything we planted. While the number of plants coming up this spring does not reflect all we planted, I am happy to see some hardy ones survived and are busting through. Only one question. What in the world is this??
Phoenix and I both stood there looking at it, thinking aloud, "We didn't plant any artichokes."
Any ideas, my flora loving friends?
Mystery #4:
I have recently been having quite a few conversations on my cell phone that go like this:
ring ring
Me: Hello.
Caller:
Me: Hello?
Caller:
pause
Caller: *hangs up*
It happened twice on the same day, several hours apart. I called the number back to see who it was, but no one answered and there was no voice mail message. It just kept ringing.
I blocked the number.
The next day, I had the same "conversation" from a number only one off from the one I blocked. (The last 4 digits were 0891 instead of 0893.)
I blocked that one, too.
When I was in Cincinnati with Buttercup, I got yet another call, but this time from an area code from northern Indiana. It happened again from this number yesterday. I looked back through my phone and realized it happened 4 times from this number starting back on March 21.
I've never gotten hangups like this before. Is this normal for any of you?
I'm counting on you, my learned (Pronounce that lur-nid.) readers, for some insights. Any help you can give with any of these mysteries will be greatly appreciated.
And if you have any mysteries at your house, share them. I'll be happy to reciprocate.
Have a lovely day!
Wow. So many mysteries and I have no insight! But I love a good mystery. I hope you solve them--or your readers help you figure them out!
ReplyDeleteThank you. :)
DeleteI think that you can find online guides about what kind of animal you may be dealing with. I know, it's a little creepy that I know that, but for hunters and trackers, they care about learning about types of poop. Depends on how committed you are to solving that particular mystery. I don't think I'd be up for it! I don't get hang ups, but I also don't answer phone numbers I don't recognize. The people I actually need to talk to will leave a message.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm that committed. :) I would like to know how I missed seeing it in the yard, though.
DeleteThere is the rub. When one of the kids updated my phone many months ago, my phone stopped letting me get any voice mail messages. If I don't answer, I have no idea who it is or if it's important.
Can't help with the large animal poo mystery but I think probably the phone calls are from call centres' automated dialling systems, which explains why no-one speaks when you answer and why no-one answers if you call back. I don't get bothered by things like that as my landline number is unlisted and I don't answer unrecognised numbers on my mobile.
ReplyDeleteAlas, I have to answer numbers I don't know. There are lots of people who call that are legitimate, I just don't have their contact saved until they call me. (Many times it's parents of kids in my kids' classes.) I can't just let it go to voicemail, seeing as how I can't get voicemail on my mobile phone.
DeleteI would guess it's an automated one, too, but why hang up when I answer? Why have automated calls for no reason? Usually automated calls have a telemarketer on the other end. (I'm on the no call list, too, but certain organizations are exempt.)
Hubby would catch the poo as Little Bit was letting it go. He was really good at it too. I guess almost 13 years of practice makes perfect. I do wonder about the mysterious poo though. Very weird.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and may all your mysteries be solved. ☺
Ha! Thank you! I had no idea people did/could do that!
DeleteIt is very weird. Maybe the animal will come back while we are on high alert and we'll catch it. :)
(I'm laughing as I type... well, smiling, because I'm like, "I know! I know! Call on me!!!")
ReplyDeleteNot a huge student of poopology, however, lots of woodland creatures in our neck of the woods. For a general clue (that doesn't actually require picking it up and such) is look for straw/grass and general levels of dryness... deer and other herbivores kinda look like that. That's all I got.
Now the dog walking thing, I don't have direct experience, because, as everyone knows, Una and I take the car for walks, so no need for catching dog by-products.
Apparently those who do walk dogs (and are responsible enough citizens to pick up after them) simply bring an inside out plastic bag and pick it up off the ground.
(I realize the cartoon above is intended as humorous, but this is the internet, so it's best not to underestimate the desire of Readers to take things literally (so to speak.)
Thank you much, Clark. I don't know much, but I'm pretty sure I know what deer poo looks like. This ain't deer poo.
DeleteThat's what I thought about dog walkers and their disposal of poo. And yet!! Did you see Sandee's comment? The sign is accurate.
I don't have any answers - but I think there might be an app that if you take a picture it, it will match to what it is or might be. it can be used for the poop and plant.
ReplyDeletethe poop thing is a bit weird because if it is something that large I am sure someone would have seen something and what about your dogs they should have reacted - as for the signs try googling "CURB YOUR DOG"
I get hang ups too - not sure why.
:) I think I did have some answers
I forgot about that little trick Kristi used to identify a bug or plant or something. I'll have to find it. To identify the plant. Not the poo. I'm not that dedicated to finding an answer to which animal. Mostly just want to know how it is roaming my yard. :)
DeleteAs for the dogs...Either we weren't home and the dogs went crazy, or the dogs were sleeping. In their old age, they are getting less and less likely to wake to such things.
Well, at least I know I'm not alone.
You did! Thanks for your help!
We get those calls All. The. Time. Hate, hate, hate them! We are also getting the ones that say "This call is for mumbled name. If you are not them, hang up." Well, after about 20+ calls, you'd think they'd get the idea that mumbled name doesn't live here!
ReplyDeletePerhaps the scat is from a coyote or a fox. We had a fox that would come thru the yard and do its "business" on the driveway.
You would think. I also "enjoy" the ones from our credit card company. They have left at least 50 messages, and they all start out, "This is our second and final call..."
DeleteWe have had coyote in our yard many times. I guess I should have been more specific. The pile of poo, if stepped in, would swallow my foot. I know this, because I was playing football with the boys and came within one inch of stepping in it. :)
Poo that big sounds like horse poo. Do you have neighbors with horses that could have escaped at night or something?
DeleteMy mom thought it was from a horse as well. The nearest horse lives half a mile away the way the crow flies. To get to the orchard, he'd have a looong walk.
DeleteWE have real nice neighbor and they keep there dog home. As for the poo if your real want to know try contacting either fish and game and if it wild animal they will tell you.
ReplyDeleteAs for that planted I would guess it Lilly. I have some that looks like that, but I thought it would be a lot father along.
Stop in from angel stew devil brew blog...Coffee is on
Hi Dora! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteA lily! I bet that's it! We did plant a couple of those! My, what an odd shape they have coming out of the ground. Here in the middle of Indiana, most things are just starting to come up. We have only had daffodils and crocuses and hyacinth bloom so far.
Reading this during my lunch break (in the UK). The mystery poo just made me laugh out loud! :-) x
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do like detective work...I too will pass on Mystery 1 & 2. :P As for number 3...remember I'm the person who puts "artificial" flowers outside. To "add" some colour to our weeds.
ReplyDeleteI get those calls too and like you feel the need to answer...most of the time. If I don't get an immediate answer to my hello...I hang up.