And In This Corner…

 

It’s a neighborhood skirmish unlike any I’ve seen, so steeped in tension and anger, the rest of us are reeling. Randy and I have tried to broker peace several times, only to have it break down. If we don’t intervene soon, I’m scared things could get ugly.

Yes, a family of goldfinches has moved into a lilac bush right outside our bedroom window. Our terrier Libby is losing her mind.

You see, these birds are on her property, which doesn’t just extend to our yard, or maybe the street nearby, but the entire planet.

And this cute little pair of yellow birds, no more than 3 inches in height, have the eye-popping gall to move in on her turf.

It doesn’t help they keep dive-bombing our window. I’ve even Googled this situation. Apparently the male sees his own reflection and thinks it’s another male. He keeps trying to chase away “the interloper.” The dog sees this and thinks he’s trying to attack her.

It also doesn’t help when the male sits on a branch inches from our window and watches Libby bark. He seems to have no fear of her. In fact, he reminds me of Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver. “You looking at me, pooch? You want a piece of me?”

Libby becomes so apoplectic with frustrated rage – and barks so hard and loud and long — she ends up coughing and gagging. (By the way, picture this at 7:00 a.m.)

Then there’s this strange, never-ending scratching sound we hear from outside under the eaves. What are these animals doing? Where is this nest being built? How long does it take? Who’s their general contractor? (I’ve looked for the nest, but can’t find it).

Meanwhile, Randy and I have tried everything to restore peace.

We keep the blind lowered so Mr. Finch won’t see his reflection. We’ve put the dog out of the bedroom (to much whining and crying) so she’ll stop barking. We’ve tried to ignore the whole thing, but its like trying to relax during the Battle of Britain.

Thank God, Libby sleeps in her crate at night, but as soon as she comes in our bedroom at sunrise, battle on.

I’ve thought of shooing these birds away, but I don’t want to do it if they have a nest full of eggs.

My illusions of the natural world have shattered. I’ve always looked to animals as an example of beings living in peace and harmony. Okay, they hunt and kill each other, but I’ve never known them to bicker and yes, mock. If a bird and terrier can’t get along, what hope is there for humanity?

Now to my horror, I read that finches pick the same nesting site year after year. Surely this can’t become an annual event.

Randy and I are at our wit’s end. We live in a war zone. We’re out of ideas. We’re waving the white flag.

And yet…

This morning, there was one glimmer of hope.

Libby slept on our bed while that strange scratching noise sounded from Finch Central. And she kept sleeping. Usually she’d be up like a rocket.

Of course, I haven’t had the courage to raise that one blind again, which has stayed down since the bombing raids. But victory comes in small steps.

The ultimate test will be when that cocky little bird sits outside on the branch doing his best DeNiro. Will Libby be able to sustain such ego-crushing violation?

Or will Libby get used to these birds, decide it’s not worth the sore vocal chords, and chalk this one up for the finches?

What brings one final question — could tenacious, stubborn, willful Libby have finally met her match?

All remains to be seen.

Stay tuned…

 

Have you had wars between your pets and the natural world? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like to share, feel free.

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