The dogs woke me up to go outside at 1:30 AM; that has become a habit with them


. At least the backyard is in chain link, so all I have to do is wait at the door for them.

They each weigh ~75-80 pounds so when they pile onto my bed, it’s like sleeping with your kids when they were little. They like the electric blanket.
Thirty minutes after “re-nesting”, I heard a lone coyote much too close to the house. They have always stayed away from the house, so hearing one go off that close was more chilling than usual. I am used to hearing coyotes but their howling still raises the hair on the back of my neck.
A neighbor lost two sheep and a llama a month or so ago. It used to be the coyotes stayed away from barns and residences where I live, but things have changed since new housing has cost them 40 acres of good hunting territory
I checked for the horses but didn’t see them, so my hope is they are in the barn. They are big horses and while healthy, the 30 year old does have some mobility issues. Hopefully the coyotes won’t try to drag the weakest one down. Believe me, I am not taking this lightly even though it may sound that way.
The dogs reactions were interesting. If that had been a dog so close to the house, they would have gone ballistic and wanted out. Instead, they only lifted their heads for a few seconds and got back to being comfortable on the bed. So they know the difference and choose to not try to be confrontational with a coyote, even though they are matched in size.
I am frittering time, trying to make myself sleepy. By the time I can sleep, it will be time to get up

