After hearing about the coyote warnings, being a good pet owner, I immediately googled "Coyote Safety Tips Nashville" and got some great information on how to better arm myself for an encounter with a coyote, should that happen. After pouring through a few pages of tips, I found the best piece of advice and immediately acted upon it. I made a Coyote Shaker.
"What is a Coyote Shaker?" you say? So glad you asked...
The Coyote Shaker
The shaker materials
The shaker
Materials you'll need:
- Pop or juice can (Diet Dr. Pepper works best)
- About 40 pennies (Make sure they're old ones covered with gum and other substances that we don't even want to mention here. But don't use wheat pennies! I love wheat pennies. They're only worth a penny each, I know, but they feel like they're worth so much more, so I hoard them)
- Aluminum foil (Preferably the heavy kind, simply because I like it better)
- Duct tape (Don't even get me started, Mocha with Linda!)
Instructions:
- Place the non-wheat, nasty-covered-with-something-we-don't-want-to-talk-about pennies in the can (Yes, Judy, even you can do this)
- Cover the opening with duct tape (You can also be totally tacky and take an author's picture, preferably one who's hosting Bethany House's Book Banter Day, and cover her mouth with this tape, not that any one's ever done that before...)
- Cut a piece of foil and tape it around the can (Hard, I know, but if you've gotten this far, you can do it. Oh! Be sure the can is emptied of Diet DP before this last step)
Using the Shaker
Shake the tin at the coyote while slowly moving towards an area of increased activity (preferably WITH your pet, although these directions didn't state that). The shaker scares the approaching coyote in three ways. Through:
- Aggressive hand motion (Oh yes, I'm sure this is going to work)
- Loud noise (It IS loud, I grant you that)
- Reflective light (But what if it's dark outside, and there's not a full moon, and Edward Cullen is nowhere to be found!)
I wish I could tell you that I didn't make one of these, but I can't. Because I did. Because I just love our little Jack so much, and I don't want him to get eaten or attacked.
Okay, admittedly… My shaker isn't as pretty as the one they made online,
but still... It's seen a lot of action since last week.
And I'm thrilled to tell you that it's working! As soon as Jack wants to go outside, I start shaking the Coyote Shaker and it's so loud that every livin' thing in our backyard either takes flight or heads for the hills. We've not seen even one coyote. Another benefit of the shaker is that it scares the pee out of Jack so "doing his business" goes a lot faster now too.
When my husband sees me shakin' it as I go out the door (we're still talking about the Coyote Shaker, btw), he just stares at me as if I've lost it. And I might have. This deadline and writing 24/7 is about to get to me. Oh gracious...
So, what crazy things have you done in the name of loving and wanting to protect your pet? And if you've made a Coyote Shaker, please oh please, tell me so I'll feel better. ; )
Tammy
It is so timely that you've posted this! I was talking to my brother this past Sunday about this very subject...Coyotes! He and his wife have a winter home in Arizona (they live in Vermont the rest of the year) and he was saying how the Coyotes seem to be getting smarter out there. According to him, they now have found a way to jump onto the roof of the homes to avoid the high fences with the wrought iron spikes. They [coyotes]jump off the roof into the backyard area and grab the pets! He also mentioned that when you're out walking your dog, even in the broad daylight, it is so common now to look behind you and see a coyote(s)following you! I cannot wait to tell him about this shaker thing! This post is so timely!
ReplyDeleteI think I will make one for myself as well. No coyotes in my area of the Northeast, at least I don't think so. But we have tons of wild
turkeys (we have the people kind too):-). And since I have a small dog, I'm concerned that a gang of them may try to corner him. Some mornings I can see them in flocks in my neighbors yards..and they are huge! So yeah, I'm making a shaker, thanks Tam.
Oh! And when your "...husband sees you shakin' "it" as you go out the door..." ummmm... ahem... let's just say you can't blame the man for staring..OKAAAAAAY girlfriend? **wink** LOL
have a great day!
LOL! Tammy, you have me in stitches today!! Love all the commentary to the instructions. Now, how do you know that Diet DP cans work the best? Hmmm?
ReplyDeleteNot going to make one, because don't you know, the east side of Nashville is safer from coyotes than the west side. I think that means you should move this direction :-P Seriously, though, if we had pets we let outside, I would probably be "shakin' it" as well! Unfortunately (or is it fortunately with the non-east side of Nashville coyotes), our cute little kittens are not allowed the freedom to roam outside...they're strictly inside cats :-)
Oh, and perfect timing about the post...today is National Shake It Day (or something like that...). It's the day that all the schools in the nation are having Earthquake Drills. So we're all shakin' it today!
ReplyDeleteOh, you made me laugh! If you need more duct tape, just let me know! I'm sure I have a little bit left over, although my previous project was quite a challenge and too quite a large amount. . . .
ReplyDeleteI thought you were going to say this is why you joined the police citizens program you were talking about on FB yesterday. Wow - Nashville better beware: Tammy's had a background check and is armed with her shaker!!
Meanwhile, the coyotes are thinking, "FOILED again!"
*took quite a large amount
ReplyDeleteI was shaking with laughter so much I missed typing the "k"! :-)
On the ROOF, Veronica! Good grief! Forget the shaker, honey, just give me an uzi! But I'm sure this will work for wild turkeys too. At least it keeps Judy runnin'...
ReplyDeleteBTW, Veronica, keep that precious Bruno safe!
LOL, Catherine, at it being Shaking Day. Who knew... And so glad your kitties are safe and sound. Love that Eric watched Downton Abbey with you the other night too. LOVE DA!
And Linda, our fair Duct Tape Queen and apparently new Pun Princess! Careful, Patti Jo, they're starting with the puns early today! Loved the foiled again!! But look out, Linda, after I go through the Citizen's Police Training Program, I'm comin' after you! And NOT with duct tape!
LOL ! sorry I just got a visual of you with an Uzi chasing down coyotes...
ReplyDeleteOh! and stop Picking on our Judy! Don't maaaake me come out there...
LOL!
Your halo probably fell off while you were shaking away those coyotes.
I don't know of anything I've ever done that would hold a candle to this. Hilarious!! Thanks for the laugh!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the day you posted on FB about the coyotes in your neighborhood and also recommended Brandilyn Collins' new book set in a small rural town in Mississippi (similar to the MS town I live in), late that same night our two dogs got wound up, barking and howling and running in and out the doggie door. I'm not one who is easily spooked, but that night I was looking for coyotes, ghosts, murderers, something. Maybe if I'd had a coyote shaker, I would have slept better. :-)
You know, Veronica, I'm just becoming oblivious to that Tammy and her comments. Her halo has completely slipped and fallen in the mud.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have NEVER even attempted to make anything quite so lovely as that aluminum foil shaker can which she seems to think is quite a work of art. Hmmm. I did carry a large stick when I walked Zoey at the lake. The geese liked her far too much and went into attack mode. Maybe I'm going to have to carry that stick when Tammy gets near, too. ;)
I was taking care of my niece-puppy for a week(a furry adorable little shitzu-poodle). We were in the backyard when a fox came out of the trees heading straight to Zoey. I did not think about consequenses. I yelled and clapped my hands as I ran toward the fox. Not to Zoey, but the evil fox eying my baby. Zoey flopped right on her belly and stayed still while I ran to the fox. As soon as it saw me, it made a U turn and ran back into the trees.
ReplyDeleteOh DOGGONE! I arrive "late to the party" and see that Tammy has been SHAKING things up over here! You ladies have been having a HOWLING good time, I can tell. (*sigh*--my puns are pathetic, I'm sorry to say...LOVED Mocha with Linda's "foiled" comment!). But I have to add that I'm relieved you're being so cautious with little Jack, Tammy--hadn't thought about coyotes attacking pets (visions of that cartoon coyote chasing the roadrunner come to mind). ~ If little Jack would use a litter box, he wouldn't have to go out at all! (except for supervised walks). ~ Thankfully we haven't had a coyote problem in my neighborhood, but there are some annoying possums that must think just because I feed CATS that I'm happy to feed them too---YUK! I've even gone out on my deck to shoo one back to the woods (clapping and shouting) and he just looked at me. Hmmmmm...maybe next time I'll make a coyote shaker and try it with the possum...it CANnot hurt to try! Hugs, Patti Jo ;)
ReplyDeleteOkay Tammy, here in Montana we have bear spray and coyote shakers that come in 44 magnum and 22 caliber. It's really effective and the learning curve for the bears and coyotes is quite good.
ReplyDeleteIt fits your criteria
1. Aggressive hand motion - the most aggressive we've found.
2. Loud - absolutely
3. Shiny - you bet and flashes brilliant in the dark.
Tracie
LOL, Teri. That gave me a good laugh. Thanks!! I'm sure Brandilyn will love that too!
ReplyDeleteAnd Judy, I'd say that "oblivious" is something you'll never be, my dear. You have way too much snark and sass in you! And personally, I wouldn't have it any other way. ;)
Freddikb, that gave me chills. Make yourself a shaker, fast! And keep that precious Zoey safe!
Fashionably late once again, Patti Jo. But we're always glad when you come, lady. I don't know about Georgia possums but the ones in Tennessee can get downright mean, so be careful with your kitties.
Love that, Tracie, and I would if I could. But alas, I live in the city limits and they would for sure cart me off if I start whipping out my 22. BB guns are allowed, but puh-leaze! I think a BB gun would just encourage the coyotes to come sit on my roof and have a good howl!
Hey PJ! A "CANnot!"
ReplyDeleteWhat a TINNY coming from a CATTY gal!
LOVE YA!
Tracie, "spoken" like a true Westerner. We've got those same coyote shakers in Idaho. Which may be why the coyote, which a century or so ago, only lived in the West, has now migrated into every state in the lower 48. In Tennessee they rattle cans at them. I think I hear a coyote phoning his cousins in Montana and Idaho, saying, "Hurry up guys. It's a piece o' cake down here."
ReplyDeleteTammy, I have the perfect solution . Bring him "Down Under" and I'll take care of little Jack....And that shaker??? It'll do well for our RATTLE snakes.(they taste great on toast(GRIN)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Okay, had to add this: This evening I turned on the Atlanta news, and what was one of the top stories? COYOTES!!! Yep, the reporter was giving an update on an area north of Atlanta that apparently has had quite a problem with those critters (this was the first I'd heard of it, but we're about an hour away from that area). So now I'm hoping those coyotes won't decide to head south over to our area! ~ Waving to Rosie!!! Hope you all haven't been affected by the flooding I've been reading about in Aus.! Hugs, PJ
ReplyDeleteLove it. So glad you shared.
ReplyDeleteA very expensive dog trainer worked with my sister & her family with their pedigree pooch. Leave off the foil, but she used the shaker can. Result: the dog was a nervous wreck and petrified of thunder!
ReplyDeleteWe have opossoms and skunks that are unwanted visitors in out backyard... I'm NOT shaking a can or tossing it! Did you read any anti-skunk advice?
Cathy, uber-lover of puppies
LOL, Rosie! Good ones. Loved that.
ReplyDeleteAnd Robin, y'all keep your wily coyotes to yourself!
Cathy, no skunk-devices that I found, but not to worry on Jack. I was only kidding on the "scaring the pee out of him." He thinks the shaker is great fun. He pushes it around on the floor and still sleeps like a baby through thunder. I'm tellin' ya, I love this little guy!
Thanks everyone for taking part today. LOVE our exchanges and grateful for each one of you. Even the "lurkers" who don't comment much. But who are welcome to! ; )