Jack Hanna -- eat your heart out! I've got stories from Wildlife Suburbia. I've shared stories of snakes, and skunks, squirrels who dig holes and plant acorns from nearby oak trees that are now spreading their roots growing oaks trees in my yard where I don't need them! But this one, this story, it boggles the mind.
This day I am awakened long before my alarm was set to go off, I open my eyes as the gobble gobble gobble of mating turkeys call outside my window, relentlessly, too loud and annoying to ignore. Over and over again. (Sidenote: to make matters worse, not only do we start the day with this sound, but my hubby pulls in the driveway, opens his door, and "gobble gobble gobble's" his way right into those turkey's hearts when he gets home. His secret talent is bird caller. America's Got Talent anyone?) Just this past weekend we counted no less than 25 turkeys right out in our driveway. They live in the field next to our house during the spring. I'd invite a rattlesnake/turkey contest just to keep the noise level down. So it's no secret we do not live alone out here. Lots of critters to keep us company. We don't call the police for late night parties, we call animal control and Federal Trappers!
So a good friend of mine was on a walk with a friend. They came upon a distraught woman just down the street from my house. She looked as if she'd been crying and asked my friends if they'd seen a little dog that looked lost. They answered no and struck up a conversation about the dog. She said she went out into her backyard the night prior to let the dog go to the bathroom, and as she was standing there watching the dog on her lawn, a large owl swooped down from the night sky and picked up that little dog, never to be seen again! Right in front of her eyes! The owl was not deterred by her presence, and it was over before she knew it began!
So I ask you...why do these "circle of life" events not happen to my dog? I know, I know...I'm mean. We've often said a hawk could come down right out of those huge oak trees they live in and scoop up our Annie. The RIP dog was just under 10 lbs. Annie is just weighing in at 11 1/2 pounds. I've since shared this story with my girls and immediately Lindsay changed the rules.
"Annie is NOT allowed outside unsupervised!" Yeah, right. Whatever. I swore I'd never let her out in the yard again without us after the rattlesnake bite event and the vet bill that followed. But little dogs love the sun and a warm sidewalk (just like snakes)...so how can I deprive her? Now we just figure if there's a bite, there's a long hard free road to meet her maker. Because we've travelled down that road, and it was expensive! One time only.
So this is for my sister who just yesterday said: "Whatever. I'm quite sure you live in a castle." (She's never been here). My response: "Whatever! It's more like a den!"
Stay tuned for more tales from The Wonderful World of Wildlife. For now, it's cleaning up dog poop, scooping the cat box, and scraping turkey droppings from the driveway with a shovel. You'd think they'd have someone hired to do that on a castle-like set as this?!
This day I am awakened long before my alarm was set to go off, I open my eyes as the gobble gobble gobble of mating turkeys call outside my window, relentlessly, too loud and annoying to ignore. Over and over again. (Sidenote: to make matters worse, not only do we start the day with this sound, but my hubby pulls in the driveway, opens his door, and "gobble gobble gobble's" his way right into those turkey's hearts when he gets home. His secret talent is bird caller. America's Got Talent anyone?) Just this past weekend we counted no less than 25 turkeys right out in our driveway. They live in the field next to our house during the spring. I'd invite a rattlesnake/turkey contest just to keep the noise level down. So it's no secret we do not live alone out here. Lots of critters to keep us company. We don't call the police for late night parties, we call animal control and Federal Trappers!
So a good friend of mine was on a walk with a friend. They came upon a distraught woman just down the street from my house. She looked as if she'd been crying and asked my friends if they'd seen a little dog that looked lost. They answered no and struck up a conversation about the dog. She said she went out into her backyard the night prior to let the dog go to the bathroom, and as she was standing there watching the dog on her lawn, a large owl swooped down from the night sky and picked up that little dog, never to be seen again! Right in front of her eyes! The owl was not deterred by her presence, and it was over before she knew it began!
So I ask you...why do these "circle of life" events not happen to my dog? I know, I know...I'm mean. We've often said a hawk could come down right out of those huge oak trees they live in and scoop up our Annie. The RIP dog was just under 10 lbs. Annie is just weighing in at 11 1/2 pounds. I've since shared this story with my girls and immediately Lindsay changed the rules.
"Annie is NOT allowed outside unsupervised!" Yeah, right. Whatever. I swore I'd never let her out in the yard again without us after the rattlesnake bite event and the vet bill that followed. But little dogs love the sun and a warm sidewalk (just like snakes)...so how can I deprive her? Now we just figure if there's a bite, there's a long hard free road to meet her maker. Because we've travelled down that road, and it was expensive! One time only.
So this is for my sister who just yesterday said: "Whatever. I'm quite sure you live in a castle." (She's never been here). My response: "Whatever! It's more like a den!"
Stay tuned for more tales from The Wonderful World of Wildlife. For now, it's cleaning up dog poop, scooping the cat box, and scraping turkey droppings from the driveway with a shovel. You'd think they'd have someone hired to do that on a castle-like set as this?!
3 comments:
Whatever. You do live in a castle. The wildlife proves it!
The funniest part of this whole thing is Dave's ability to bird call. What a talented guy!
That is just crazy--an owl swooping down and TAKING that poor dog?! I love your new blog template, by the way. Very classy. :)
And thanks for the encouraging e-mail. My kids are letting me use their computer on this incredibly SNOWY spring break day to see what's up in blogland. I needed a break from the chores that have replaced my laptop time!
Your poor neighbor's dog! (Although the story is funny) But I do feel bad for the lady. I love that there are still open and undeveloped areas out there.
There are wild turkeys at the house where Addison (my daughter) goes to day care during the week. Those suckers get big! I got out of the car this last Monday only to be starlted by the familiar "gobble gobble gobble", I tured around and literally jumped back at the sight of the giant Turkey. Careful, those will take your car out ; )
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