Betty has managed to grow large enough to be able to go up and down the back deck steps. She prefers, however, that I lift her down from the back landing, and sometimes I still abide.

There appear to be TWO pairs of hawks living in the vicinity. The squirrel population has been dramatically reduced.

Our veterinarian agreed with our concerns for Betty’s welfare, telling us a story about a hawk snatching up a full grown chihuahua right before its master’s eyes.

So, I watched over Betty as two hawks circled above us. Suddenly one of the hawks landed on the tree branches right above us, snatching up a squirrel, squawked and shrieked and then flew away with its prize. Betty didn’t even notice.