I have always said that Hank does not dig unless he has a reason. He's not a "bored" digger, he digs with purpose everytime. We noticed that when we moved in he loved digging around the perimeter of the backyard, and specifically where there were mole mounds. We also know that Hank loves to chase critters. Being part bloodhound, it's in his blood to locate critters and in his case also chase them. One other thing I have always said is that I don't care if Hank goes on squirrel patrol because he could never catch one (they are fast and sneaky). Well, that last statement may be true, he has yet to catch a squirrel, but the first statement is 100% true.
Today, Hank was digging near the apple tree. I went to see what he was up to and you could see this dog staring at the ground, ears forward with intensity, and he seemed to be "following" something with his eyes. I could see nothing, so naturally I assumed he's crazy or that he could smell or hear a mole under the ground. I gave him a pat on the back and told him to "get it", and then went back to the patio to read my book. Not long after that I hear him digging again, so I look up to see where his nose and ears have led him this time. I can see him near the path, by a different apple tree. His tail wagging like crazy and his face buried in the brambles as he digs. The next thing I know his head pops up and he has something in his mouth! I immediatlely jump up and ask him what he has, in a voice no quieter than a yell. At first I though he had a dirt mound and some vines in his mouth, but as I get near he drops it near my feet. My immediate reaction is "Oh my god!" I thought he had just caught the largest rat I had ever seen. After looking closer I realize that it is in fact the largest MOLE I have ever seen! He was so proud of himself and I think he may have wanted to eat it. I quickly ushered him inside, so that he could not eat it (could have diseases, etc.) and fetched the camera. He had dropped it on it's back (you can see a puncture wound on his belly) so I made sure to take a picture of that and then I got a stick and rolled it over. I then had the brilliant idea of putting a ruler next to it so you all could see how big this thing was. He, the mole, was 7 inches long and about 2 1/2 inches wide. I know it was a he because you can see his wee-wee. After showing Ryan, we put the mole into a plastic bag and then threw it in the trash. Hank continued to search for it for about a half hour afterwards. At least we know Hank isn't destroying the backyard for no reason!
