An idyllic day for Deb Schenher was nearly shattered on Sunday.  Schenher and her family live on an acreage near Pilot Butte, east of Regina.  It was early afternoon and she was enjoying the sunshine in a fenced-off area, playing with her three, 3-month-old Boxer puppies.  Out of nowhere, a large bird of prey silently swooped in and picked up Paris, the smallest of the three dogs. The bird stayed airborne, ascending higher and higher.

Deb was screaming, running forward.  Her dog was screaming as well, squirming hard in the bird’s clutches when suddenly Paris broke free. Schenher who was trying to stay close said, “Not sure why, maybe It was her weight, or my maniac screaming, this Hawk dropped my Paris, and to tell this story, God must have been on my side, as I was able to catch her from that dreadful fall.”

Schenher is not certain but she thinks the bird may have flown as high as the rooftop of a house before dropping Paris. Badly shaken, scared and in tears, she laid Paris on the ground.  The dog appeared to be okay physically and within moments was playing with its two siblings.  

A day after the incident, Deb was saying, “What is strange is I have told folks that hawks can and do carry off puppies. What I did not expect as careful as I was, was to have such an event unfold before my eyes.”

The incident has also astonished Dr. Stuart Houston of Saskatoon, a nationally recognized authority in the birds of central North America who is currently writing a two-volume book on the ‘Birds of Saskatchewan.’  Houston is surprised because Paris weighs 19 pounds, much more than either an eagle or hawk. That’s why he does not believe the bird was a hawk but rather a larger Golden Eagle which cruises the southern plains. 

Schenher figures it’s either a Golden Eagle or a Red-Tailed Hawk. Whatever the case, she’s not taking any chances.  Her three Boxer puppies are in a covered run until they grow a bit bigger.

As for our ‘Bird Dog’, Paris is feeling fine with no wounds or puncture marks.  Here she is posing for the camera today.