The Henson Hawk Family

So about a week ago our little terror Punchy chased a hawk out of a small tree in our yard and it ended up flying into the kitchen window where it clung to the screen for about 10 minutes.



Then it let go and jumped down where it limped around the yard for a while. I thought it was grounded because it wouldn't seem to fly for a while. I called Tucson Wildlife Center and they said they might be able to send someone to catch it that day, otherwise I could catch it and bring it to them. While I was waiting for them to call me back the hawk flew up over our wall and seemed to be ok.

Next day Punchy's friend was back. And later on that afternoon he brought his two siblings to drink from the pond.

They have shown up everyday since...now there are four of them. They are juvenile Sharp Skinned Hawks and their nest is high up in a tree in the neighbor's yard.

Pretty cool huh?

My deaf little sweetheart

Twelve years and 28 days ago my mom took me to get my first dog....Suzy Q. 14 days ago I realized my loyal, protective, endlessly energetic sweetheart is losing her hearing. She is no longer waits for me at the door when I get home because she does not hear the key opening the lock or the door shut behind me. She doesn't hear me call her into the kitchen for some yummy scraps of food, and she is now startled awake when I pet her.

Since this unfortunate discovery my wonderful husband has been incredible with Suzy. He makes sure not to scare her, seeks her out at dinner time to make sure she eats when he feeds the puppy because she doesn't hear the kibble poured in her bowl, and he remains sensitive and gentle with her when she needs to go outside but her stubborn little butt refuses.

Suzy still barks but not at anything outside of the house, just while playing with punchy; while punchy remains mute save for the times his reflection in the back door provokes a battle of chicken.

While Suzy's hearing deteriorates and her bones creak a little more and a few more age spots show up; her neck is still so soft, she still loves tummy rubs, she still chases the vacuum, her crooked little tail still wiggles for chicken scraps; her spirit continues strong and sweet, her energy rarely runs dry and her darling dark eyes always look for me first thing in the morning and last before bed.