The Charmed Life: Esmeralda and the Coyotes

I have a lovely dog named Esmeralda. She was a rescue and was taken in from a landfill when she was a wee pup. When I met her, the rescue person told me she was a shepherd mix... because she knew I wanted a shepherd mix. But as Esmeralda has grown, it has become more and more clear that not only is she not a shepherd mix. I suspect a coyote in the woodpile.

So I looked up some coyote facts.

Coyotes are found in most of North America, except the cold Arctic tundra. Coyotes can adapt to most climates quite well.

Esmeralda was found in Southern California. That's in North America. I checked.

Coyotes are a member of the dog family.

Esmeralda is a member of the dog family.

Coyotes can be anywhere from a yellowish brown to a tawny grey in color. Their belly is usually off~white. This color will usually extend onto the throat area. Coyotes have a pointed muzzle and a flat forehead. The tail is quite bushy. Coyotes are between the size of a fox and a wolf.

Esmeralda is yellowish brown in color. Her belly is off~white. This color extends onto her throat area. Esmeralda has a pointed muzzle and a flat forehead. Her tail is quite bushy. Esmeralda is between the size of a fox and a wolf.

Coyotes are quite playful. Pups will often play~fight and wrestle. A scared coyote will hold its head low and tuck his tail between his/her legs.

Esmeralda is quite playful. She likes to play~fight and wrestle. When scared, she holds her head low and tucks her tail between his/her legs.

When a coyote hears loud sounds it will prick its ears up. If it is another coyote, it will often reply. To us this is howling, but to a coyote it is their way of communicating. They are most active during the early morning and at twilight.

When a Esmeralda hears loud sounds she pricks her ears up. If it is another dog, she will often reply. She is most active during the early morning and at twilight.

Coyotes are mainly carnivores. But, they will also eat fruit and insects. The carnivore part of their diet is mostly rodents, such as mice, rats and the odd rabbit. They also eat carrion.

Esmeralda is mainly a carnivore. But, she will also eat fruit and insects.. and little treasures she finds in the cat box. The carnivore part of her diet is mostly pet food and table scraps... which she likes to drag out of her bowl.

Where was I going with all this? Well, first it was a chance to show you some dog pictures. But also, it came up because there's a new coyote charm in my charm shop.