~Sunday~ I had my alarm set for 7:30, but I woke up at 7:15 and got up after a few minutes. I took Nala1 on a walk, and decided to cross Maynard Road and walk around the middle school property across the street.
At one point, all of a sudden, Nala lurched into an area and nabbed a bird from behind a densely leafy plant. I’m pretty sure it was a robin, and I’m pretty sure she killed it. I pulled a few feathers out of her mouth—and another one stubbornly stuck to her chin—but I didn’t see any blood.
I moved toward the bird and it just lay there on the sidewalk, not moving at all but with eyes open wide. I was afraid to put my foot near it to see if it would move—in fear that it was possibly just playing possum and would attack my bare leg when I got close to it.
I pulled Nala away, and looked around to see if we were near one of the cameras on the property, and imagined the headlines tomorrow, “DEAD BIRD ON MIDDLE SCHOOL SIDEWALK TRAUMATIZES CHILDREN FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING! POLICE SEEK PERP.”
Following the incident, Nala’s senses seemed to be on “high alert,” and when she next came within tracking distance of a squirrel, she went even more nuts than she normally does, and I thought, “Nala! You are acting like an animal!” To which I thoughtfully added, “Good girl!”
| The Cocker Spaniel is a hunting-gun dog able to work in difficult terrain in both wet and dry land. Excellent at flushing and retrieving game with a gentle mouth. They listen to commands well.
The name “Cocker” comes from the woodcock, a game bird the dogs were known for flushing. Some of the American Cocker Spaniels talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, watchdog, agility and competitive obedience. |
I’ll say.
1Nala belongs to my friend Jen. I dog-sat for her over the weekend. Note: That antecedent is purposefully ambiguous. Do you dog-sit for the person or for the animal?