Sunday, February 5, 2012

The Bird Dog OR Don't Awaken the Sleeping Giant

A few years ago, we were visiting my in-laws out west. My mother-in-law fed the area cardinals, blue jays, and other songbirds by setting out birdseed in pie pans on their deck table. One morning our dog, a blue-heeler named Billie, was napping on the deck a few feet from the table when a mountain jay took offense of her presence and decided to run her off.

The large bird began scolding her loudly and dive-bombing Billie, who finally woke up. Billie continued to lay on the deck, doing her best to ignore the bird’s wild antics, until finally, while still in a semi-recumbant position, she jumped straight in the air about 5 feet and clamped her jaws around the unfortunate jay. The bird never knew what hit him as she knocked him down in one fell swoop. I noticed that after that, the other birds left Billie alone, and she never bothered with them, either.

10 comments:

Ms. A said...

So that's where the term, "Let sleeping dogs lie" came from!

Inger said...

Interesting how the rest of the flock learned the lesson to let a sleeping dog lie.

Ami said...

I think that's the same idea my husband has about the first guy who comes to the door and wants to date our daughter.

He said he's just going to shoot him, ("a flesh wound with pretensions") and that after that, he figures word will get out.

Sally Wessely said...

I love what Ms. A said. I think that must be true. Great story.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

No matter what the species, it's never a good idea to mess with a male during nap time.

Peruby said...

That dog is bad-ass!

Dee Ready said...

Hello!
That dog reminds me of a cat with whom I lived--Dulcy--she brought birds home to me--alive, unharmed--as a gift.

I'd reach down to take the bird. Dulcy would release it and then the bird--a white or yellow or dark flash--would fly frantically around the house seeking an escape route. I'd go to the front door and hold it open. Finally the bird would fly out into the wonder of sky.

I wonder if Billy has continued to show birds that he's not be be disturbed when sleeping?

Peace.

Lois said...

Those jays can be soooo verbally aggressive! We have blue jays here and they are bossy too.

ReformingGeek said...

Good dog. Good dob! I love birds but those bluejays are mean!

Carol............. said...

They both wised up! LOL