Dog in the tree

 

"Spirit of dog" by Rayne

There was the horrific case of a dog in a tree. It's demise was sad, very cruel and heart breaking. Loggers working in the deep woods of Georgia in 1980, selected a chestnut tree to cut down. The men thought that it would be just another job to do, as cutting up trees can be hard, adventurous and even dangerous. They anticipated only an easy day of this, perhaps they guessed they might only disturb wildlife with their activity. They knew about nature as they're experienced, well aware of predators and venomous snakes. However, what they didn't know, was cutting that particular chestnut tree would shock them.

(It's worth mentioning that chestnut trees were considered sacred amongst Native American tribes. Chestnut trees grow edible nuts and medicinal leaves, and can live up to 700 years. There were many chestnut trees throughout the region until many were chopped down by colonials, for the purpose of using the wood as building materials. Chestnut wood itself doesn't rot as it's full of tannins. Chestnut trees are different to the inedible Horse chestnut trees).

The dog was a healthy redbone coon breed, that was often chasing and running through woods. These dogs are used for hunting, and this one found prey. He was a good boy, and sometimes he wandered off to try catching wild animals. He located his target and watched as the small creature slipped inside a hollow of a chestnut tree. The dog finally believed he had it now and he quickly ran after it.

Back to the loggers, who had their tree down, carefully, ready to cut open in sections. Some of the men noticed visible claw marks on the insides of the tree. They made a further cut on the log, and the chestnut tree unleashed horror. Staring at the men, who were doing a difficult job anyway, was a frightening creature that gazed at them from within the chestnut tree. It turned out to be a mummified redbone coon dog who had been there since the 1960's. The dog chased it's prey and found itself stuck in the chestnut tree with nowhere to exit. He perished inside the tree, which was his prison and then his tomb. 

This dog is on display at Southern Forest World museum in Waycross, Georgia. Poor thing.

She Wolf Night