The Wild Side

So this morning I was taking Stanley for a walk before my water aerobics class (it is the best exercise ever and so fun and refreshing) and we were walking by a house that has see-through backyard fence. Background: they have 3 yappy dogs that bark constantly, and they even have this high-pitched alarm that goes off when they bark - I guess to try to get them to stop, but it never seems to work. But we love walking that way anyway because it is so nice and shady.

Anyway, we walk by their house, the dogs start barking, the alarm goes off, and then this incredibly loud screeching begins. I think to myself, "Wow, they got a new alarm sound." Then I look up and see a very realistic owl attached to the top of the fence. I think to myself again, "Wow, they really invested in a realistic alarm." Then before I can realize what is happening, the owl starts FLYING, circling just above Stanley. In about .05 seconds I have this discussion with myself:

"Self, do owls eat dogs?"
"Well, I'm not sure."
"I think they might eat something like small rodents."
"I think you are overreacting. Maybe you should just relax and keep going."
"The owl is still circling. Pick up the dog."

Hah! So I picked Stanley up and walked away from the house. As we were walking along the street, a large dog started barking from another house. When I looked up, the entire front half of the dog was over the fence. What is going on today??

As I walk the other direction back home, I look back to make sure Stanley is not being selected again by Mr. or Mrs. Owl for dinner and I see off in the distance beside the canal (we live kind of next to a canal) 5 or 6 little figures. Then I realize they are baby owls!! I think they are adorable of course, and so I no longer fear their mother. Or maybe Stanley was going to be their dinner. We will never know.