Sunday Jan 29, 2012 32 degrees windy

Thank God for “Leave It”

If its not too icy, and the tides are right, we go to the beach in the morning. A typical Maine beach, some sand, mostly rocks, plenty of nasty smells. My Mom’s house is about 100 feet from the water and a ravine runs next to it down to the beach with a spring for fresh water. We see ducks, geese, crows, a fox on occasion.
I have good dogs. A German Shepherd /BC mix , and an over sized Corgi. The Corgi is a little stubborn , but all around listens well, The Shepherd is Mommy’s Girl, Excellent recall. Excellent OB, tireless.

So today I put on my boots with ice grippers, my three layers, fur lined artic hat, and head down to the beach. We cut through the brush over to the bank next to the ravine for the least icy way to the beach.

The dogs are off leash, they get to the beach ahead of me, I see a flurry of movement, the Shepherd is about four feet from an Eagle, air scenting, trying to figure out what the big thing is. The eagle has its wings spread out and is staring at my dog. I yell “Leave it” “Come” and she obeys. The Corgi is unsure.

We head off down the beach , me repeating “Leave it” and Come on. Both Dogs follow. I’m thinking the eagle will leave if we get far enough away, OH NO, stubborn eagle, that’s his place! We walk down to the point and turn around to come back. Dogs are still off leash, I have no leashes with me. I make them stay near by. We head to the bank to go up on the lawn, Eagle is still there, staring at the dogs. The Shepherd stays away, the Corgi decides he is brave enough to go investigate, stupid dog is afraid of the dark, fearless when he thinks he has backup. Leave It, I yell, he looks at me, scuttles closer to the eagle, I smack my walking stick on the ground , breaking it, and Scream LEAVE IT” and he give me the stink eye and ambles back towards me. Pretty good for an independent little cuss. So I command “Lets go home “and we head up the lawn to the house and treats.

The eagle is a big bird, with a really BIG beak, and fearless.

So it’s back to dragging leashes again.

Holy mackerel, what good puppers you have, even if the Corgi thinks he's King Kong. Thank heavens they both listen to you. You might have been minus one Corgi otherwise. I'm picturing the whole scene (you describe it sooo well) and even all the way down here in NC I shivered.

Give both of them a hug from Freya and me.

LOL, that Eagle would have a hard time carrying off the Corgi, he is over the standard size and weighs about 35 lbs. I was afraid of pecking injuries mostly. That bird could do alot of damage.

Good recalls! Thankfully no one was hurt. It is nesting season for the eagles, they are nest building now in your part of country (we have young in nests here already) and they are protected so any damage to the eagle would have been a terrible fine for you.

I love GSD's ....... and eagle.

What a story. I agree, you describe the scenario in such great detail, I can vividly picture the scene. Good job teaching your puppers recall. That is no small feat. Glad to read everybody is ok.