SHEPPY'S FIRST COON HUNT 



seemed to be fairly ploughing it through the long 

 grass. We debated for a moment whether he had 

 been molesting the sheep and then things began to 

 happen. The boy was nearer to the wire fence than 

 I was and Sheppy tried to get as close to him as 

 possible. Suddenly the boy yelled, "Wow! Whew!" 

 and began to act as if he had taken an emetic. I 

 had no time to solve the mystery before the wind 

 blew on me and I understood. Sheppy had not been 

 bothering the sheep. No indeed. Sheppy had been 

 having an argument with a skunk and there was 

 strong reason very strong to suppose that he got 

 the worst of it. It was then that we were glad that 

 there was a tight wire fence between us and Sheppy. 

 After faihng to get the sympathy he was looking for 

 he proceeded to wipe his nose on the grass. Then 

 he found a hole of water and wallowed in it. He 

 evidently felt a wild need of a bath. I don't think 

 I ever saw a dog so earnest about his toilet. When 

 he got out of the water hole he wiped himself dry 

 on the grass by lying on his side and pushing him- 

 self along with his feet. Then he rolled over and 

 wiped the other side. Still he was not satisfied. He 

 rubbed his nose with his paws for a while and then 

 plunged into the water hole again. And all the time 



185 



