[SWHouston]

Fellas, you are not going to believe this !

I have to tell you how things are here first...
I have a very secure yard, big trees with very full canopies. There is no direct flight path for an incoming predator type bird. They would have to dodge branches, or light on a branch, then continue their flight.

Today, I was sitting at the Breakfast Table, with Coffee and a Cigarette, just casually looking out the window. My Male Sneakers was outside laying out in the shade, with My Female Becca laying a few feet away from him, in one of the Sun patches, sunning herself. I have a Doggy Door, and they both go in and out when they want. Becca usually always is looking around, trying to see a Squirrel, Dove or something she can chase or stalk, and I saw her turn her head and look up. As she did that, I saw a streak in a downward direction, and she sprang up, TOWARD it !

The Hawk and Becca collided about a foot off of the ground, with Becca grabbing the Hawk by its head or neck. And, it’s apparent now, that she saw/herd it coming toward her.

Coffee went all over the place, as I jumped up and started out around the kitchen and out the back door. It may have taken me no more than 15 seconds to arrive on the scene. By that time, My Male Sneakers had joined Becca, who had already pulled the Hawk’s head off, and he had part of its wing torn off and in his mouth, whipping it back and forth as the remainder of the Hawk flopped around. These two were absolutely ignoring any recall, regardless of how loud I shouted, but, at that time, I really didn’t know that the Hawk was helpless, and actually dead. Then to add insult, neither of them would relinquish THEIR PART of the Hawk, and I had to chase them around the yard a couple times, to recover and dispose of the pieces.

I’m sure that some of you are “cringing” right now, thinking of this happening to one of your little guys, but. Keep in mind, that Sneakers is 3yo/12lbs, and Becca is 1yo/7lbs. What I think happened was, that the Hawk got a glimpse of Becca’s head as she looked around, and didn’t see that there was another 6 pounds of Dog attached to it ! Additionally, this was not a big Hawk, not that I had a very good reference given how many pieces it was in. But, it looked like it’s wingspan was maybe 24” at most. I spend quite a bit of time out in the yard, and I’ve never seen a really large Bird ever.

My guys kill Snakes in the Yard all the time, we live less than 100 yards from a Bayou, which is their favorite place to go for jog/walks. Given the “talk” and concerns I’ve read about Hawks/Predators here, I too was (at one time) concerned about an attack from above.
Those concerns no longer exist.

As some of you may have surmised, I take a somewhat different “slant” on raising my Dogs. The Rough & Tumble, Mud Bug, and go ahead and jump into the Bayou after a Frog, is ok. In fact, there’s a frequent “sick um” offered, just to let them know I’m ok with that.
(when we’re out, I have them on a 25’ Reel/Leash just in case)

Right now, I’m BEAMING with pride, knowing that my guys can take care of themselves when necessary. And, if I had anything to do with that, from the way I encourage them to “use” their natural instincts, that’s just icing on the Cake.
They are Terriers ! Gees, I love Yorkies !