Wildlife showing up is nothing new at our house. They show up all the time asking for help. That goes for domestic critters as much as those that live in the woods. Thanks to Gary C. for pointing out Sandi's unique gift and why I am writing this.

What is this about? My wife, Sandi, has a very unique gift of "talking to the animals". There is something about how we are wired between the ears that is wonderfully unique with her. She can literally ask them a question " ...Is this okay? ...Can I do this?" and they will tell her yes or no. She can understand their answer! I have no idea how she does it. Having seen her do it so many times I have learned to trust her without question and help when I can. The critters certainly don't trust me the way they do her! I make them uneasy, just as anyone else would. Thankfully, not enough to panic.

There are a lot of injured squirrels. They fall out of trees or get attacked and not killed by hawks, possums that survived dog attacks, fawns that lost their mom, have all been here over the years. They show up on our deck looking for help. The doe that usually has twins every year will allow Sandi to come to within 20 feet of her and her babies! Momma deer adopted a fawn last year whose mother was killed. One of her twins died last year, so she adopted him. She was after all used to taking care of twins. Sandi talks to her while she is chewing her cud and the babies seem to be intrigued more then scared. They take off or momma stamps her feet and snorts when I try that.

We also help when the neighbor's dogs get loose. They usually show up here. (surprise, surprise). When we return them, we get the added fortune of meeting our neighbors.
So, as you can see, this hawk story is not so odd. Certainly not around this house.

This story begins around the 2 pigeons that were rescued by Sandi. She really did have to give them a lot of extensive rehab. One couldn't walk (does a good job now) and the other crashed into a truck and sustained a lot of brain damage. He can't fly anymore. One is a show King, the other is a Homing pigeon bred for racing. The neighbors are used to him going for a walk around the neighborhood on a leash.

The hawk saw our 2 pigeons and thought they would make a good lunch. He went into a dive and was brought up short by a large picture window. Knocked the poor thing out cold. Sandi grabbed a towel and ran to the rescue. She wrapped him up in it so he couldn't thrash around. That is one of the easiest ways to prevent him from further injuring himself or hurt Sandi while she checked him over for broken body parts. He didn't seem to mind. The initial check didn't find anything, and none of the future examinations did either. He was okay. Sandi came inside and left him on her lap to come around at his own pace.

The dogs where put outside, much to their consternation. They wanted to meet the new member of the pack! The way Sandi gets everyone to get along is too teach Guinea pigs, pigeons, hamsters, cats, etc. that they are all really dogs. Some are a little odd, but they are all dogs. It works, as you should see the zoo we have and everyone gets along.

Mr. Hawk slowly came around and peeked out from the towel. Time to go to the kennel. Imagine that bird flying around loose in the house.
He didn't want food or water, so was left alone to recover in his own time. After a couple hours, Sandi went out to check him over again. He didn't mind her poking; bending things, etc. to check out bones, joints, and other parts to make sure everything was operating as they should. He checked out fine. Since he was okay, he was to be released the next morning. If he wasn't, the hawk would have to be turned over to a licensed wildlife rehab facility. It is illegal to keep wildlife penned up without a lot of certificates.

That evening -before I could get home, a fellow showed up with a big truck to drop off some equipment for my shop. Well, with something like that tucked away, Sandi thought the driver would like to meet him. How often do you get the opportunity to meet a wild hawk up close and personnel?

Our kennel is a separate room built into the back of the garage with HVAC, grooming tub, etc., and even has a TV for the mutts. Sandi introduced the driver to the hawk, who was understandably impressed. While making introductions, the hawk was prancing around on her arm. One of the hawk's talons stuck in her arm. The hawk had stepped off of the oven mitt that Sandi was using to keep the talons from scratching her. She tried to get the talon free but was unsuccessful so she asked the driver to help. He hadn't really counted on this. To his credit, he did step up to the task and succeeded in freeing the claw. Can you imagine the story that went over the CB when he left?!

Yours truly finally showed up after everything had settled down. Sandi was as excited to show me our new friend as I was to see him. My camera had died recently, so I grabbed hers. I didn't know at the time the memory card was almost full. There was only room for about a dozen pictures. They are at the end of the story.

Off to the kennel we headed and Sandi walked in first. That was okay with Mr. Hawk. When I walked in, Mr. Hawk was not amused! He flared the feathers on his head and spread his wings to look aggressive and scary. Rest assured it had the desired effect! All I could see was huge talons and a beak that could snap bones! This is what I was greeted with just as I walked into the kennel.

He really didn't like the flash going off, and I can't say as I blame him. He flew up to a shelf to get away. Sandi stuck out a hand with the oven mitt on. By constantly talking to him, he voluntarily flew down to her fist.

I imagine he was wishing I would go away and take that flashy thing with me. By standing very still and Sandi's constantly talking to him in a soothing voice, he started to calm down. The feathers on the back of his head relaxed, and his wings started to droop. He was still under some stress. His slightly open mouth is a sure indication. You'll see that in all the pictures. He never did completely relax with me around.

Eventually he relaxed a little as he started to understand I wasn't a threat. He might have even been a little curious.

Nothing like a little cuddling. Remember, this is a wild animal. Please don't try this on your own. Sandi can get by with it because of a very special ability the rest of us DO NOT HAVE. I, like most anyone else I know of, would be severally injured trying to do this!

Now if I would just go away and take that flashy thing with me.... Note: he isn't trying to get away! Who would want too?

I thought the toe curling kisses where reserved for me -her husband!

President Bush looked in the wrong place for those Weapons of Mass Destruction. They are on that bird's feet!

Oh yea lady, scratch a little to the left... So he can be distracted.



You're hired!

If Sandi weren't bracing him up with her forearm, that silly bird would fall over and hit the floor! He sure likes getting his neck and back scratched with fingernails! (so do I - gently :-) He is pushing hard against her arm.

The next morning after checking him over thoroughly once again, he was released back to the wilds. It took a few minutes for him to orient himself while Sandi held him above her head on the oven mitt. Eventually he flew to a nearby tree.

The hawk hung around for 3 days. The family of hawks who reside in the back of our property where not happy with him around and finally drove him off. We think he returns from time to time. There is one hawk that looks like him that flies by. The resident pair gets unusually loud. They complain loudly and always give chase.

Copyright© Chris K'nerr 2007

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