Ezzy the Bird Dog!

The baby mockingbirds that were dumped ..errr..entrusted to me, are doing well. They are growing by leaps and bounds and are eating me out of house and home. They have acquired names via Sweet Daughter-in-law. The larger of the two is Knox and the little one is Shelby. I was talking to her as she was on a road trip to Kentucky and mentioned that they needed names. I have no way of knowing if they are males or females or one of each, so the names needed to be androgynous. Later that day, she sent me a message suggesting the names. Reason behind the names? She was heading to Fort Knox to be with her friend who is expecting a bundle of joy soon..and Oldest Son is at Camp Shelby doing Army stuff. Hence the names..Knox and Shelby! I suppose having "Army" names might help when the birds are released..maybe make them a bit intimidating to any foes! I must admit, the names are a bit stronger sounding than say..Fluffy and Wiggles! So, Knox and Shelby have acquired names!

I always knew that Ezzy, the dog, like birds! She will sit for hours and watch them. She keeps the squirrels out of their feeders and even lets them drink from her water bowl. Today, however, she proved that birds are some of her favorite beings on Earth. She has taken a liking to Knox and Shelby. When she hears their loud, hungry chirps she gets antsy and wants to take care of the little squirts. At first, I was a bit apprehensive about letting her near the tiny tots. I was afraid for their safety..Ezzy is not particularly known for her grace. She might step on..sit on..or eat my little feathered friends. I usually take Knox and Shelby outside to acclimate them to their surroundings. They need to become familiar with the bushes and trees. They need to be able to find fresh water and food. So..outside we go! I placed the birds on the ground and sat beside them. They sort of wobbled around in the grass..looking not for food but at me. Their little heads looked straight up..their little beaks wide open. How in the world will they ever find food looking straight up into the sky?? Then along came Ezzy..big, ole oafish Ezzy. The dog with the hugest feet that I have ever seen...MY BIRDS! EEK! I was frightened that there would be a clash of species right on my front lawn, but I was so wrong. Ezzy very gently approached the little birds. She sniffed them, their mouths flew open, shrieks started coming from the tiny throats. Not shrieks of fear or pain but shrieks of hunger. I opened the container of crickets and started feeding the birds. Ezzy carefully laid down on the grass and watched. She did not move as the little birds edged nearer to her. Soon they were within inches of her face but still she remained motionless. I could just imagine my reaction had she grabbed one of the babies. She did not try to hurt Knox and Shelby..just the opposite..she guarded them. It was if she was intent on protecting her feathered charges..these were her babies, now! I am hoping that a bond does develop between dog and baby birds. I will feel much better about their odds of surviving knowing that a big, lug of a dog is watching out for them. My bird dog so loves her birds! Now if I could just get her to teach them to catch their own food..and to fly!