Hawks We've had posts about this already but I never really took it seriously until today. I live in area that does not have many wild animals. Rabbits and squirrels are about it. About six or seven years ago I saw this beautiful hawk. Just gorgeous, even more so because we just don't see them. I've only seen this one about ten times in all those years and only about three times close to my house. Well today (about 5:30) I was standing in the back yard about five feet away from Gus when I see a shadow on my house. I turn and look and it is this freaking hawk. He lands in the tree in my yard about twenty five feet up. Luckily Gus came to me when I called, sometimes he runs the other way. I don't want to be a drama queen, it wasn't like he swooped down and tried to take Gus but I am pretty sure Gus is what caught his attention. So now Gus has to be on the leash, right next to me, even in the back yard. :( He hates it, he keeps crying. I just wanted to caution anyone who thinks it will never happen (like me) that it does. PS Even though I would shoot the bird (sorry, but I would) if I could, I have to admit it was a sight to see. Flying it was completely silent and unbelievably graceful. If I ever get a picture I'll post it. |
Thank goodness Gus obeyed your command! Maybe he sensed that you meant business! There's been hawks around here too...last year they had a huge nest in a tree about a block from us. I keep Maddie on a leash also...don't want to take any chances! |
So glad that Gus is ok!! Bet it gave you a really nasty fright though. We live in the country and even though our birds of prey here in Wales are not such a danger, it still happens and really scares me. I find myself looking at the skies whilst out walking Gyps and Gizz. They are magnificent creatures but I know what you mean when you say you'd shoot it - we just want to protect our little ones don't we?! |
What shocks me is that they will do it with a human or a bigger standing right there. They are incredibly brave! |
It definitely got my heart pounding. What a relief when I got him in my arms. You're right Kim, Gus was in front of me to my left and the hawk flew from behind me on the right so it knew I was right there. |
You're NOT being a drama queen ... I would have been so scared too !! What a good boy Gus was to come to you when you called !! I know I said this on an earlier post - but you WERE very lucky - a member on another site was in her yard and one scooped up her little 4 pound yorkie baby right in front of her - needless to say - she was totally devestated and she also probably never expected it to happen to her - so you're right to be cautious - I'm sooooo glad you were right there adn Gus will get used to the leash in time - It's hard to do but the alternative is so much worse ! ps...If one threatened my girls...I'd be thinking the same thing about shooting ! |
We live in a rural area in the upstate of South Carolina. Many years ago the Dept Of Natural Resources released 3 pair of hawks near here trying to re-establish a colony. We have really enjoyed watching them over the years....they are indeed quiet and graceful. But..now with having Apple (4 1/2 pound chihuahua) and Lil Bit (3 1/2 pound yorkie) I stay in a state of panic whenever we are outside. Apple and Lil Bit LOVE running around the yard and sniffing and chewing and dragging sticks around. We have spent a fortune fencing in a VERY LARGE area for our greyhound (also very graceful) and felt good about letting her and our former yorkie (13 pounds!!!!) run around the yard unsupervised...... But NOT with the 2 little ones. I watch them like "a hawk"...We are outside alot (with the grandkids) and I feel like my head is going to unscrew and fly off trying to watch EVERYONE & EVERYTHING......I really watch the sky very closely! Also fearful of OWLS!!!! If I ever win the lottery I would spend anything to "enclose" the fenced area with some kind of wide netting......I have actually tried to talk my hubby (a builder) into trying to dream up something we could do with a part of the yard........ |
Big Bad Hawks I agree with everyone here. The hawks are beautiful, but can be so dangerous to our babies. I never realized it until we got Maggie. Our property is fenced, with two Australian Cattle Dogs to protect it, but they can't protect the sky. I did purchase a retractable leash for Maggie, so she can at least run a little. The 4ft. leash was so restricting to her. Using a retractable leash you can let them explore and be normal. If a danger arises, you can reel them in faster than greased lighting. I know this works, because we have a lot of red tail and cooper hawks around our property. I always go out with her, and always on a leash. She has never been off the leash outside in her life, so she doesn't know the difference. She loves to run with the big dogs, so I try to keep up with her on the leash. Now that's a sight to see. She also has an outside exercise enclosure. My husband made a shade cloth top for it. We purchased the exercise enclosure at Petsmart. Also, purchased dishes that attach to the side walls. This way we can work in the yard and she can play in her enclosure with her toys. Its a great piece of mind, as well as freedom exercise for her. |
We live out in a rural area and have always seen the hawks flying around over our neighbor's chicken coop. Our neighbor has even had them kill some of his chickens. But we've never had them over our property until we got Daisy. We now have the hawks circle extremely low over us. We own a ranch house and they fly over as low as the roof! I think they are just awaiting the opportunity. :mad: We keep her on a leash at all times when outside as a precaution. |
You're very smart to do that - it can happen so fast ...all the hawk needs to do is use it's talons...doesn't even have to fly off with a yorkie...it can be seriously hurt or killed by their claws without leaving the ground they're so sharp - So good luck !! |
hawks We are glad that you were looking out for your little Gus. I live in the rural area and we have hawks fly over head all the time. I will not let my Sweetie go outside with out a lesh. We are in Montreal this week, visiting my Mom. She was three dogs and we went for a walk yesterday afternoon. The setter of my Mom was pointing at something, with a big crow in the tree making alot of noise.There was a baby squirrel,hurt, on the ground."THE CROW WAS GOING TO KILL IT!" :eek: the crow had made the baby fall out of the tree. I was so mad :mad: . Maybe the crow wanted to feed his young but it is so mean want the crow was doing. I yelled, though a big stick and the crow went away. The squirrel wasn't much bigger than my Sweetie. What if that crow saw my Sweetie in my Mom's back yard in the city. Would my Sweetie have been luch :confused: ? Our Yokies are so small that we can't ever let them out of our sights! :aimeeyork |
A puppy that I sold several years ago lived in a suburb of Balto in the midst of a housing development. She was never allowed outside but managed to scoot out the door after her daddy walked out. A hawk flew down and scooped up Sophia Maria. She weighs 3 1/2 pounds and the hawk didn't have a good grip on her. When it used its beak to grab her face to hold her so it could re-arrange its talons, she wriggled free. She is okay but does have scars all way down her back and on her face. The talons of a hawk can break their backs and sever their spinal cords. I know I would shoot even a bald eagle if I had to. I would just come on the forums and ask for contributions to pay my bail...LOL |
Trust me we'd all bail you out! :) |
Quote:
Debbie G. - Oscar's Mom "Greet everyone as you would your dog" |
I guess I was lucky to get a warning. Villette, I feel so bad for the person on the other forum who wasn't so lucky. How do you recover from something like that? :( It\'s heartbreaking. I\'m glad Sophia Maria was able to get away. I\'m thinking of getting an outside pen but Gus will probably howl like a madman. He has to be right in the middle of everything. On the plus side he doesn\'t mind wearing the leash in the yard anymore. I can\'t believe I have to put it on every time when I only see this bird once in a blue moon but I\'m not taking any chances. Better safe than sorry. |
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