This spring, we had a Golden eagle in the area.
While out with my dogs, I noticed this HUGE bird lazily circling overhead.
Ignoring the 4 big Ibizans running around, the bird focused on the smaller Portuguese Podengo Medio and began that heart-stopping slow-motion downward spiral directly over her.
I screamed like a banshee, ran out waving my arms but the bird kept coming.
I almost gave my little PPM a heart attack because I ran out and snatched her up before the it got to her.
She’s 18” at the shoulder and weighs 30 pounds.
I seriously believe it intended to kill her.
I know the rest of the pack would have jumped on the eagle instantly but that wouldn’t do her much good if she’d already been skewered and gutted.
The neighbors have a tiny Parson’s JRT that they leave out unattended and we warned them about the bird.
After about a week of us all watching this thing circling our neighborhood every day, it apparently gave up and went elsewhere.
[but the stray cats that wandered our area have not been seen since]
If your Ibizans had jumped into the fray, THEY might have inadvertantly killed your little guy too. "Things" happen in a dogpile. I'm sure you know what I mean. Sounds like you were very, very lucky.
Exactly!!!!!
I watched a hawk swoop away with a full grown squirrel, more than once. They have to weigh 5 pounds. Right in my own suburban backyard!
I don’t leave my Pap unattended. Even in the winter, I stand out there with her. We don’t have a fenced in yard so she is on a stringer. I doubt a hawk could pick her up, but in the attempt, she would be mangled. *shudder*
BTW, you have some REALLY cool breeds!