Jack Russell Story Jack Russell StoryMy Jack Russell Story:
Before I get too far into this story, I want to stress that the following events were unintentional, and I was lucky that it didn't turn out tragically.
Evi and Crickett were becoming fast friends. Evi was a 7 month old Jack Russell Terrier, and Crickett was a 2 year old miniature red dachshund. Evi belonged to me, and Crickett's master was my girlfriend. We both worked at a private boarding school. Because the campus was surrounded by a tall chain link fence, it was an great place to exercise the dogs. They loved playing chase and fetch over the rolling hills close to the Shenandoah Mountains. It was a nice way for me to wind down from a long day of teaching.
Evi and Crickett ran over the top of a knoll, and by the time I had reached the top, they were gone. I could hear Crickett barking, but it sounded muffled. There was a small ridge at the bottom of the hill, and in the side of it I spotted a groundhog hole. As I got closer I realized the barking was coming from inside the hole. My little Evi, who was still more pup than dog had entered the earth.
What if there were a groundhog in there? How would I get her out if she got stuck? What was I going to do?
I called her. Looking into the hole I could see here eyes and floppy ear squeezing out through the tunnel. She knew exactly what she was doing. Generations of JRT instincts had taken her right to where she had to go. I knew my pup was a treasure. Crickett on the other took a bit more coaxing to get her out. Anyone who knows dachshunds knows how stubborn they can be. When I finally got her out she had a small gash on her knows. I guessed that she met the homeowner.
Since then I'm very careful as to where I run the dogs. If I want to use my dog for tunnelling, I know that I need to be much more prepared.
Evi's birthday is coming up---she'll be one February 8th.