Sunday, July 27, 2014

CATS CLOSE CALL

My 8 pound cat, Mooshoo, was demanding to be set free into the backyard so I finally gave in.  She usually just walks around on the grass and then either lays down on the bench beside the back door or comes to the door wanting to come back inside.  She chose the latter, so I went to the door to let her in. 
Just as I started to open the glass door, a hawk appeared out of nowhere on the right headed down towards Mooshoo. It crashed into the glass and fell instead, standing with its wings spread out, nose-to-nose with my cat!! It's body was larger than my cats and the wingspan was about 2 ft. on each side!  I was stunned and then yanked open the door and grabbed Mooshoo as the hawk recovered and took off.
I assume it was a red-tailed hawk, but not sure.  I did not think of one coming after my cat!
I went online to see if one would eat a cat and here is what it said:
"They can also prey on marmots, white-tailed jackrabbits, small domestic dogs, domestic cats, or female wild turkey, all of which are easily double the weight of most red-tails.[4]
  Now I am afraid to let her out! 

13 comments:

  1. Goodness Rose, talk about timing! That would have had to have been a one in a million chance. Poor puss, poor you! What a fright my friend.......

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    1. It was quite a surprise!! Seeing the hawk up so close--2 feet--was amazing. Surprised I moved so fast to grab my cat!!

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  2. Good rescue! Outdoor cats have shorter lives.

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    1. I keep telling Mooshoo that but she keeps whining to go out! No way!!

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  3. Anonymous: M
    In our last wooded acre, we had an osprey nest at the top of a huge Doug fir. We think it was the old Carver Osprey whose by-the-highway nesting tree was logged. I stood under the nest one day when the bird wasn't there, and I do believe that nest was near to 5 feet wide. One day I was crossing the yard and in front of me, Madeleine--our black little kitty--was racing to get to the front door. I looked up and the Osprey was doing the same path only higher up. I yelled and ran to pick up the kitty. The Osprey made a U-turn. But I do remember how that frightened both of us. So glad you rescued your kitty.

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    1. I am, too! It would have been awful if the hawk had not crashed into the window!

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  4. I believe hawks tend to stay in an area once they have a dependable source of food. Try to keep your cat inside for several weeks at least.

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    1. Mooshoo is not happy but she IS staying inside! She didn't seem upset at all when nose-to-nose with the big hawk!!

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  5. What a scare for you and your cat! Kelly has lost 2 of her cats to coyotes from the nearby riverbed, and her new little beloved dog, a mixed terrier. Mimi, is watched every minute. Dogs are easier than cats to keep an eye on in most cases, since cats love to investigate their areas when they can get out. Lynette

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  6. What an experience! So glad you rescued your kitty!

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  7. Oh my gosh Rose! So glad that he didn't grab your kitty. Mom to the rescue!!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  8. Amazing incident. I never knew cats had anything to fear from hawks. Do you live in a wild part of the country with lots of natural woodland and game?

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  9. Oh my Rose, what a stunning encounter, both for the hawk, and your cat.

    Jen

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