Manny's First Rabbit Race

The first week in our new home was hectic to say the least. I had forgotten just how bad moving really is - and it's HOT here. Manny was left in the house most of the time because only a few minutes outside would leave him panting so hard his tongue was hanging on the ground.

On our third evening, we waited for "almost dark" (here that means when the sun goes behind the trees). We took Mann out for a stroll and walked down the road (it's a 1 mile dead-end road with no other houses.) As soon as we got into the yard, I spotted a rabbit. I put on my "excited" voice and tried to point it out to him. "Rabbit Mann! A rabbit!" He didn't see it until it took off for the woods. But he did see it. By the time his front end told his back end to get moving, the rabbit had already leapt into the woods.

Manny ran to the edge of the woods and snuffled around for several minutes, but - being a city slicker - he wouldn't go into the trees. We finished our walk, which was lovely, and retired for the evening.

A few days later, the same thing happened. But on our third walk, Manny understood when I said "Rabbit!". This was a good one. The front yard clearing is about 300 yards by about 600 yards. The rabbit ran straight down the yard to the trees then turned right and ran for the fence line. Manny started half-heartedly chasing him, but when the pup realized that he was actually catching up, he put on a burst of speed.

I could see the drool flying from his lips from my place back at the house. I just knew Mann was gonna get the rabbit. Mann knew Mann was gonna get the rabbit. The rabbit even knew it. Mann threw his whole being into catching that rabbit.

I have never seen Mann run all out before. It was incredible. I have seen him gallop around the small yard we had at our old house and I thought he was beautiful then. But this was different. He stretched out and FLEW over the ground. We measured some of his prints later and they were almost 15 feet apart.

Well, if you have ever known a wolfie, you know they aren't very good on turns or brakes. When the rabbit zigged to the right, Manny couldn't follow. He ran into the woods doing about 90 mph.......and crashed ......and burned......

But he learned a valuable lesson: You should never forget to watch where you are going - even when the rabbit is right under your nose.

Manny might hurt the rabbits, I hope I never find out. I think he just wants to play. The rabbits have learned to watch for him and he has learned to watch for them. He has never gotten as close as that first race, but he keeps trying. Maybe in a few more months when the waistline is down to a respectable size......