Cascadian Catahoula

I am the foster home for Othello Moose. It is through the Alternative Humane Society located here in Whatcom County, which is a no-kill shelter that has no offices, just a volunteer staff with huge heart. Othello Moose was going to be put down unless a someone stepped to the plate. A lover of Southern Gothic literature, I figured, hell a living relic of the Old South living right her under my roof would be the coolest thing in the world as I lie by the fireplace in the winter reading "Go Down, Moses." What I didn't realize that Othello would require some training and be quite a challenge for my otherwise docile life.

The AHS offered the services of myriad trainers and Othello is turning into a more mellow Catahoula. And he just had his third birthday, so that is also mellowing out, although he still has a wild streak.


When he first arrived, he never went to the bathroom in the house. He would chew paper (including some books), errant CD cases and an occasional DVD case. I quickly crate trained him, and he became less destructive and gradually now had free rein in the house and yard. He also is good at finding a sunny spot on the porch to sun himself in the mornings. More soon...

Chewing

Here is a picture of Othello Moose somewhere up off the Mount Baker Highway a few weeks back. I realize how much he love running in the woods and being a working stiff myself (unlike Othello, who leads a life of leisure) and look forward to getting on the trails. Although it's fun to have others along, I love going just with Othello.

I got mad at the poor little guy today when he chewed my wallet. I think he was upset that I was in the backyard doing some fence work and left him in the house. There were chickens next door and he likes them - too much. With the fence taken down it would be too risky to have him out there. Everyone that meets him talks about how smart he is, and I think his level of emotions can run deep.(I heard the Catahoulas are used up at the border increasingly due to their intelligence.)

But oddly enough, he has never chewed or damaged anything personal of mine except ,my wallet. He frequently will bring a sandal or shoe or sock out from the bedroom, but just carries it around and drops it.  But I scolded him earlier, and now we are back on happy terms.

It's after eleven and he needs a walk. He usually gets three a day, and in the evening he runs while I bike. we cover a lot more ground and he comes home tired. And he deserves it.

Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Cur

My friend calls Othello a bad-assed dog and I do not need to lock the doors with him on guard. Othello is a Catahoula, or more officially a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Cur. Here is a video of them doing what they were raised to do: fence wild boars and cattle.

Othello is a loyal, loving dog that will take a bullet for you if you are part of his pack. He can be very protective and consequently can also be aggressive towards other people whom he views as a threat to either the home or car. Out on the trails, he is happy as a clam. Same thing for the dog park or daycare - on and off leash, but better off leash. He is happy running the trails, although I need to get into the habit of calling him (with treats) when I see people. Not all are enlightened to the majesty of Othello Moose. He is a work dog and his job is to protect the home. And he can be quite menacing in doing so. He weighs in around seventy pounds.

And he keeps me warm at night. I read that Catahoulas only have one coat of fur, so I think he appreciates the fleece (and later in the season, electric) blanket that will keep him warm. Speaking of which...time to sleep.

The First Post

I felt like writing. I have a foster dog. I think about him often. His name is Othello. I call him Othello Moose, as he can be a bit larger and weighty than his medium-sized frame would suppose. I've had Othello since December of 2011 and he doesn't make the best first impressions when he goes on home visits.

You will hear more.

Tonight I wanted to start the web log. My one blog lasted almost a thousand posts, so I do not know how long this one will go. Hopefully until Othello Moose finds a forever home, or until  one of us give up the ghost. He has become a great dog, but he loves to run in the mountains and woods, and I am a city dweller in Bellingham, Washington, a mid-sized city of about 70,000 residents up near Vancouver, British Columbia.

More soon, but right now it is time to sleep. Mistake number one I that make as a foster home is letting him sleep on the bed. I spoil him to no end. And the picture above is up on Heliotrope Ridge a few weeks ago. During the week, we both dream of getting back to the mountains.