I have been going home for lunch to finish the meds for my dog who just had surgery. When I left to go back to work as I was driving out of my neighbor hood (you must go down a long feeder road out and into the development) I saw this guy who refuses to walk his toy poodle on a leash. Now the dog is well trained, but I know he has had words with other neighbors regarding him refusing to walk with a leash. Well it was a nice afternoon, not to breezy and some great sun light..so I had my window open. The poodle always walks 3 or 4 feet in front of the man...well I hear this "woosh woosh" sound and see this big shadow in the street next to my car, I look up and I'm not sure what kind of bird of prey (maybe a falcon) it was, but it was on a dive...it was going after that little dog...I could not believe it. I started beeping my horn, and the man and the dog turned around, he starts yelling at me about no leash and then he sees the bird..he runs forward and scoops the dog...I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BIRD COME DOWN SO LOW!!!!!!!!!!!! That was a big a** bird too. Well the guy looks at me very sheepishly, the bird heads north and sits on top of a light post, and damn if that man puts that dog back on the ground..that bird just watched that dog from the light pole, then I had to leave...hope the poodle made it around the block

awesome

I don't know whether to laugh or cry... poor dog being bullied by the neighborhood bird <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like that raptor wanted a Poodle Pup-Cake for lunch !

Just this morning, I was walking my dogs (an Akita & a Borzoi) on the mountain when it was not quite dawn, and a HUGE owl "swish... swished" right over our heads -- He wasn't trying to make breakfast of us, but it did feel like we were about to be picked up & carried away by Gwahir in "Lord of the Rings" <:-O

This reminds me of the "angry buzzard" story: http://in.news.yahoo.com/040611/137/2dkny.html

Tell the guy to get one of those little poodle sweaters and then paint a pair of big eyes on it. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Well, I would still rather laugh at myself than poke fun at others - since I still consider myself a newbie.

That being said, we have Hawks who nest in our yard, and also in the surrounding wooded areas. Our Beagle is possible Hawk Food. Call us crazy, but we do take the hawks seriously. They are beautiful to watch, their offspring are fun to watch while "growing up" and they eat "small prey" for lunch, just like many of our dog's do (and some of our dogs would be considered small prey by the hawks).

In an earlier post, I first poked fun at myself because I truly believe all of us started somewhere. Before I make fun of anyone on or off leash in a public park, I recognize the laws around here - dogs are to be on a leash in a public park and in other public areas.

I realize that "well trained dogs" can be off leash anywhere, and obey. But when in public places, don't the same leash laws apply to everyone? (sorry to poop on the party...)

Hubby and I purchased the land we have so we CAN allow our dogs the freedom from the leash, and so we CAN do off leash training without violating anyone else's laws or rights.

Sorry - had to say it.

Beth

Well, no Falcons here or Hawks to worry about, as far as snatching little dogs, just drug users , they have come up with an idea to snatch or steal little dogs and ask for rewards or in many cases wait for the owners to offer any rewards.Mean while the pooches are not fed and abused until the drug users are paid.Yep , no such luck here to have Falcons or Hawks as real threats, just loosers.
I used to Live in Los Gatos for 7 years I remember the coyotes and owls and birds of prey, I rather have that than loosers stealing and abusing my dog. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

We have a pair of Red-Tails that nest very near our house. I NEVER leave my little ones out unwatched during the day for that reason. Bug (Affenpinscher/12 lbs) and Maggie (Black Pom/ kinda chubby at 15 lbs) are probably not at too much risk, but Harry (Malti-poo, 7 lbs) is perfectly snack-sized.

That made me think about this video — <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Pretty sad, but funny, too.

How sad, my kids would be just devastaded if they witnessed their baby Rabbit(we just got)got taken by some big bird! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I've actually been dive-bombed on 3 different occasions while 30 ft. up a tree in a deer stand. 2 of the times the hawk got within 6 inches of hitting me. This makes me even more glad I'm not a poodle <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />