Zipper (right) and Chili
Zipper, Chili and the coyotes
My name is Zipper. I am a seven year old female Silky Terrier living on the Eagle’s Nest Golf Course in PebbleCreek. I have a younger brother named Chili who is a long legged Chihuahua. We usually get along, but once in a while I have to nip him just to show him who the boss is.
On a beautiful fall evening two years ago, we sat comfortably on the patio with our parents Joe and Dee Smart. With them were some relatives from a faraway place called Colorado. Just as darkness settled in, Chili and I noticed two big dogs on the fairway. We went out to greet them. Only then, too late, did we discover that they were hungry coyotes. One coyote nipped Chili, but he got away and ran back to the house. The bigger coyote grabbed me in his mouth and took off running.
My parents had seen what was happening and started yelling and chasing the coyotes, but it was too dark to see anything clearly. The coyote’s teeth were cutting into my skin. It really hurt, especially with the coyote running. More people came out of their homes to see what was happening. Then the coyote suddenly dropped me and scampered off. Now I was alone and in the dark with people still yelling and looking for the coyotes. They looked for an hour without finding me or the coyotes.
I was very scared and crept slowly back up the fairway looking for our house. I finally saw a light on a patio so I climbed slowly up there and lay down. It wasn’t my home, but the people inside saw me and called the Patrol who quickly came and got me. They took me to Mr. Jim Ellison who is head of the Pet Companions Club in PebbleCreek. He took me into a room and, with some gadget, he was able to read the chip imbedded in my neck.
He called my parents who were astounded and whooped for joy that I was still alive. He took me outside again and held me while a car drove up. Out stepped my parent, Joe Smart, and he quickly cuddled me and thanked Mr. Ellison for his help. When we got home, my other parent, Dee, swept me up in her arms and held me close. It looked like she had been crying. She began treating my wounds carefully and wrapped me up. Everyone seemed happy to have me back, even Chili. The next morning Dee took me to the Vet to have me checked and have the wounds stitched.
It took a long time to get over that night. Nowadays when Chili and I sit up on the back of the sofa looking out on the golf course, we bark ferociously when we see any coyotes. We want them to know that we are still here and watching.