As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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The last few nights, I have heard something in our woods. The first night I was reasonably sure it was a deer and it was quite late, so I decided not to let my female dog out one last time.
Last night, the sound was different and both dogs wanted to go out and bark into the woods. Out of respect for out neighbors, as soon as the dogs bark they come in, but both kept asking to go out.
This morning when they went out early both started immediately barking towards the woods. I looked and saw a dog like creature, which I later identified on the state wildlife site as a coyote. I knew they were in the area and they can often be heard in the distance howling at night. The animal had no interest in me or the dogs, but did run across the woods and across the street into the neighbors woods. He was heading in the direction from which I hear them at night. Our land is abutted by a major brook (around 12 feet wide and runs through 3 towns) and he seemed to be following the brook.
Based on my research, I didn't think it would harm my two dogs, a lab/golden cross, who is 90 pounds of pure goofiness, and a 60 pound female lab/who knows what, who is very bright, curious and can like to be top dog but is never aggressive.
My DD is adamant that they no longer go out on the runs alone. The runs are close to the house and go to the edge of the woods.
Anyone have any good knowledge? What would you do? Would a flood light help? I'm not looking forward to standing outside with them in single digit weather several times a day.
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Unfortunately your DD is right. I wouldn't send them out alone. I have a lot of coyotes in my area. Sometimes they are not so agressive other times............. well lets just say I wouldn't be out there alone if I were an animal. I have seen them attack different things (cats, fox, squirrels and rabbits) I have also seen them chasing the deer that are around. I know our neighbors (people within a mile) dogs stay close to home at night. Others may think I am wrong but if they get hungry enough or feel threatened they may do harm.
Coyotes are opportunistic feeders that hunt in packs. If you saw one - there were others. I would NOT let my dogs run alone knowing there are coyotes nearby. It is likely they could be attacked by the pack. When I lived in Texas - it was common for coyotes to take dogs, cats and other pets from peoples yards - dogs that were chained or not -- I saw the results of a 95+ lb Doby vs. Coyotes - Coyotes won. not pretty.
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I'm in Northern New England and I think it's a different species at least from the Texas one.
I saw a lone animal and went on the state wildlife website and it looked like a coyote. Could it have been something else? I went to the state website and couldn't find anything else I thought it could be. The website did make the Eastern Coyote seem quite tame and actually said the Eastern species travels with a mate and occasionally offspring but not in packs.
I think I will go out with the dogs at night and only use the run that is in the front of the house. I can also shorten it so the dogs can only go 15 feet or so and a ways from the edge of the woods. I may also call the Wildlife Department on Monday and maybe give a call to the PD tomorrow. Strange as it seems, our PD is good about investigating wildlife incidents.
I was going to suggest calling your local wildlife control officer. Make sure you don't put food/garbage anything like that outside, and be careful yourself. Not sure if rabies is a concern in your area, but make sure your dogs are vaccinated.
I also live in Connecticut (on the shore) and we have a problem with Coyotes. I have actually seen coyotes twice (and they were good sized) and we always hear them at night. On the advise of our vet, we do not ever let our dog out alone (she is a small Welsh Corgi) when it is dark. During the day, we let the dog out alone but always keep an eye out and we immediately go out if she barks alot. Our yard is fenced in, but the coyotes can jump just like bigger dogs can. Do keep a watchful eye on your dog.
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I'm pretty sure coyotes were involved in the loss of our cats when we lived in Fryeburg, ME. (Either that, or a birds of prey.) I would keep my animals close to the house
I've read several northeastern state wildlife sites on coyotes. I think it's interesting that different states present them very differently. Some are much more cautious than others, which I wonder if it has to do with population density. It also looks like local coyotes may have bred with wolves/dogs-not sure if that's good or bad.
I looked at Terri's website, which showed the animal's tail and the animal had a much thinner tail -it seemed narrower than my labs- although I suspect there is some variation. The coat also seemed closer cut-maybe it was a stray dog. It did run with it's tail down, which made me think it was a coyote.
My plan is to only use both runs during the day and use the one that is very close to the house at night while I stand outside. The dogs are never out when I'm not home. I dug up some of the kids old "intrusments" to provide noise if needed. I don't think I'll do their nightly walk for a while, taking them out in the morning and at lunch when I can.
I think I'll get some solar flood lights. I've wanted them anyway.
The dogs immunizations are up to date. We live in an area where there is no garbage pick-up so trash cans are not usually outside and very few people feed birds any more. I don't know of anyone who feeds dogs outside. I don't even think there are many outside cats in the neighborhood-we do have fishers.
Our brook has a wildlife easement as it is stocked with trout by the state. I don't know if that attracts wildlife, but I don't think there's anything I can do about it.
I have not heard anything tonight and the dogs are not asking to go out repeatedly so hopefully, this guy, whatever he was was just passing through.
Thanks for all the help. I guess I'll have to admit to DD she was right. It's funny, even if she wasn't I'd do what she asks so she doesn't worry about the dogs while at school. All the kids are really attached to the dogs. I am actually a very cautious dog owner-our dogs are never outside when not on a leash or run. As soon as they bark at all, they come in.
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I am fascinated by the different views on the animals. I also found a New York website that had some good suggestions as to how to deal with coyotes.
Of course, the information I haven't been able to find is whether coyotes can have a narrow tail and if any other animal runs with it's tail down. Mine definately did which is why I thought it was a coyote.
Diane
Last edited by Huntermom; 02-11-2007 at 07:49 AM..
Reason: put same site in twice
We have had them in this area, WNY, and our association told us not to leave our pets out unattended.The guys at work told me they could jump over six foot fences to get dogs but I am pretty sure they were just trying to get me upset
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We have had them in this area, WNY, and our association told us not to leave our pets out unattended.The guys at work told me they could jump over six foot fences to get dogs but I am pretty sure they were just trying to get me upset
You know what? It wouldn't surprise me if they are right. I know for a fact they can leap over a man on a snowmobile when cornered. Years ago (when they were young & stupid) DH was snowmobile riding with his friend and they cornered one. It leapt straight at Dan who had to duck to avoid being hit by it.
My uncle's farm dog was killed by coyotes - it was a lab/cross. Definitely be careful with your dogs.
As an Animal Scientist and someone that has worked on horse farms for years I have only heard of a handful of cases where dogs have been injured/killed by coyotes. We have Coyotes here in Michigan and they do kill sheep. If you see a donkey or llama in a field of sheep that animals is there for protection. Donkies and llama become very protective of their "herd" and fight off coyotes. I have see the results of the fights...not pretty and the donkey won!
I am not going to sit here and tell you what to do or not do...because there is no real answer here. I do not like the idea of shooting any animal (even though I know it is necessary in some cases). I know you weren't asking that, though. YOur first step should be to contact the DNR in your state (I can't remember where you live? Vermont? New Hampshire? Maine?). They are the TRUE experts here and have biologists that study these animals. They will have information that you are looking for. I did find on link for you: Eastern Coyotes in Massachusetts (sorry for some reason I thought you lived in MA....but you said Northern New England)
If I were you I wouldn't let my pets outside at night. :goodluck: I hope you find the info you are looking for.
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Robin Twitter name: @NKsDogwalker Find me on FB: robinkay6573@yahoo.com 38th Birthday with Mom, Dad and friends 2011
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Last edited by RobinKay6573; 02-11-2007 at 09:01 PM..
Reason: I am confused *LOL*
I am not a biologist but I am an Animal Scientist. There are only one species of common dog too (Canis lupus familiaris) but there are several breeds. A Scottish terrier acts much different then a golden retriever. Even different goldens from different lines act different. The fact is that coyotes are not to be feared they are to be respected. The guidelines on the site are good...but it is best to contact your local wildlife agency they will give you the best advice on how to deal with wildlife in your area.
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Robin Twitter name: @NKsDogwalker Find me on FB: robinkay6573@yahoo.com 38th Birthday with Mom, Dad and friends 2011
Next Trip: Cruise on Jewel of the Seas for Christmas 2012