Monday, May 4, 2015

Infectious.


Bob rushes into the office to find me. He's wearing his ' you've got to come with me now ! ' face. To be doubly sure I understand he paws my right foot, twice. Outside on the courtyard gravel one of the fat young owls. A strangely beautiful yet ungainly thing. Eyes as big as its face. It must have fallen out of the tree during the night and barely moves when it's picked up. Usually a sign that it's days are numbered. We, dog and master, carefully put it in the long grass under the hole in the tree where the noisy owl family are nesting.

By mid-morning it's gone. Foxes ? Improbable during the day. We're hoping it rested, gathered its strength and managed to flutter back to safety. Could the mother have had the strength to pick it up and carry it in her talons ?


A hot humid day. Rather like South Carolina. The linen curtains at the front door are brought out of storage and put up. This allows the PON's to rush in and out  but keeps the flies and heat out.



A day for doing very little apart from barking at pilgrims ( the good weather has brought them out in droves ) , chasing butterflies ( inexpertly ) and generally staying in the shade to keep cool. Chicken curry for dinner and then bed at ten. A pretty good day for two young, healthy dogs. Their happiness is infectious.


17 comments:

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We hope the little owl made it....

WFT Nobby said...

Fingers and paws crossed here too for the wee fat owl.

Anonymous said...

Hoping the beautiful baby owl had good luck.
The californian lilac looks glorious.
x

Duke and Petite-Chose at 2G said...

What a gentle caring boy Bob is. We do hope that one of those cats didn't get the baby owl, and it made it safely back to the nest.

Kari said...

Hope the ending is happy for the little one. The Bismark Tribune (South Dakota, USA-where it seems baby owls fall out of nests all the time) says leave it alone.
The Tri-State bird rescue says stick it back in the nest, that it is a myth that the parents will then abandon the nest. Apparently, if it can stand or not is the deciding factor as to what to do. We think you've done the best thing. It's a wonder Bob left it alone. A good shepherd through and through.

Angus said...

Bob is the gentlest of souls. His sister would have eaten it.

Angus said...

We looked out for the owl family last night. Neither sight nor sound. We'll try again tonight to see if there are five fledglings or four.

Angus said...

Ceanothus one of the few things that grows on thick clay.

Angus said...

Here's hoping.

Heda said...

Bob is so clever and sweet and brave at the same time. He is an absolutely adorable dog. And that blue flowering bush is stunning. I don't know what is but I'd like one.

VirginiaC said...

I hope the baby owl is okay...thank goodness for gentle Bob.
That poor owl wouldn't have stood a chance here in my boy Brownie's garden.
I'm so glad you are back home and posting the most delightful events in France profonde once again.
The last photo surely highlights how slim Bob is compared to Miss Sophie's size.

tammy j said...

bless bob!

Jane Le Galloudec said...

It would be good to know if the owl made it... I have my doubts... but nature is the strangest thing so all fingers crossed. Such a beautiful strange bird right enough!

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Poor baby owl. I hope it was just stunned from whatever happened to it. Bob should get a full slice of cheese for his heroics!

lyon de clarasvals said...

Great work Bob. You deserve a full croissant for that.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I'd have to think that if it became a meal for something, there would be signs of that. I'm hopeful that this fledgling found safety thanks to you and Bob.

Whispering Walls said...

Bravo for saving the owl!