Bunnies are stupid.

So the other morning I was getting ready for work and my mom was working outside (gardening?) with the dogs. She let Shiloh in for breakfast and immediately I knew she had something in her mouth. I've seen the face before, her mouth is slightly open and she walks straight forward, head low, on a mission to avoid the sight of nosy humans. Well, I pried her mouth open and found a baby bunny, unfortunately dead. We thought maybe the bunnies had made a nest right outside the fence in the back, as the gap is big enough for a bunny momma to surely get through so a baby could too. We've seen a bunny in the yard a lot lately too, so it wasn't a huge surprise. Anyways, I left the sad body out of the way but out for the scavengers to do what they do. 
Well, when I got off work later that my mom told me she found the nest. It was IN the yard! Bunny momma, not only did you make a nest inside the yard of three people, but three dogs! But here comes the good news, my mother found out through Mia. No, she didn't kill or even hurt them, just stood there next to them. And there was no doubt that she knew they were there. Not only were they smelly (to a dog), they were visible from outside the nest and she occasionally watched them as well. I was so very elated, I had started the desensitization and positive association techniques I used with Balfour. But I really hadn't had much hope that I could defeat her terrier instincts. Well turns out I had. She still has a strong drive to chase, but no maim or kill instinct anymore, or at least very very mild. She's met mice, a rat (domestic), multiple cats, lizards and turtles. And on our hikes and pet store visits, I'm sure she has smelled many more.
Unfortunately there was still one predator in the yard, granted Shiloh is blind but my mother was worried and moved the nest outside the fence. Even more unfortunate, bunny momma never came back, never found them, or for some reason abandoned them (I don't think my mother directly touched the babies), and they died. Only after this ordeal did I connect the dots and realize that momma bunny may have built the nest inside the yard to escape neighborhood outdoor cats (a practice I disagree with) who wouldn't dare coming into our yard. Multiple cats versus one blind dog? Maybe bunny momma wasn't so stupid after all. I've decided that if this happens again I will let the bunny momma keep the nest and put up a small temporary fence around the area to block Shiloh's entrance.

In case you're wondering, Balfour never worried me. Being a livestock guardian dog he has no kill instinct towards small animals and with his socialization also has no desire to maim/hurt. I think the bunny momma noticed as she rarely bolted at the sight of him.

Anyways, sorry bunny momma. Please come again and we will be more hospitable.

Balf with turtle, we released it in a secluded area. Mia is below.

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