How do the birds and critters know? (Beware, dog death related)

[marbel]

Last April our dog died.  He was an indoor/outdoor dog - we have a fenced back yard and he spent some time each day out there, but not always and never when no one was home.  So, there were always big chunks of time he was not outside.

 

Anyway, we have always had squirrels and birds at the feeders, but since he's been gone, we have seen an explosion in wildlife.  Our neighborhood is full of rabbits, but we never saw any in our yard.  But now we see some every day. Way more birds are coming to the feeders.  This is the first year we've seen fledglings out there.  Of course the squirrels were always around, but now there are chipmunks too.  

 

It's not just this spring/summer, but all the past 8 years that we had our dog.   There are just more animals out there. 

 

Is it because his smell is gone?  

 

We still miss him, but we are enjoying all these new birds, and the bunnies are cute (we don't have anything we need to protect from their munching). 

[Heatherwith4]

That is interesting. Since we lost our beagle last year, we have had a lot more critters, too. She was not an outside dog, but of course went outside to walk and go to the bathroom.

 

I would guess it's the scent, but I'm not sure.

[Pawz4me]

I'd guess it's the (lack of) smell, too.

 

Although the wildlife around here don't seem to mind our little fur mop of a dog. ;) The bunnies and squirrels just look at him and go on about their business. :lol:

[athomeontheprairie]

Our dog died early spring and I think every bunny in the tri county area moved onto our farm.

[Saddlemomma]

I haven't read the other replies, but I believe it's because your dog is no longer marking his/her territory and their scent dissipates.