Can’t stand those owls

I have often said that our family dog Scotty (the Scottie) “loves everyone and everything.”

But I recently realized I needed to modify that statement a bit when he reminded me that it’s not entirely true. No, there is one thing on Planet Earth that the six-year-old Scottish Terrier just can’t tolerate: Owls.

My reminder came at about 7 p.m. the other day when Scotty suddenly began barking his head off on the back deck at our home in the woods high above the Big Piney River. I went to find out what the commotion was about, and he was loudly expressing his disapproval at something toward the north.

Then I heard why, as an owl (I think maybe a big Great Horned Owl) let out a “boooo, boo-boo” from deep in the forest.

I looked at Scotty and said, “OK boy, now I know what’s got you so bothered.”

He looked back at me with an anxious expression as if to say, “it’s out there, pa, and it’s evil!”

The owl repeated its call, and Scotty repeated his emphatic canine rebuke. The same thing happened once more, and then the owl stopped and Scotty went into the house, knowing full well he had done his job.

To say the least, Scotty’s disdain for owls is interesting, because it goes against his general loving nature. Within his own species, he has never met a dog he doesn’t like, and simply considers them playmates from the get-go. And he loves human beings, largely because he has never been given a reason to fear them and always associates them with good things (like treats and “hand time”).

And he seems quite fond of all creatures other than owls.

For example, he likes watching toads hop around near (or on) the front porch and he’ll put his ample snout down to where he’s right at their level and almost touching them, as if to offer a friendly greeting. And he loves chasing squirrels, rabbits or deer for fun; it’s almost like you can hear him giggling as he makes them “run for their lives,” as if it’s a bear they’re fleeing from instead of a silly dog.

While it’s true that Scotty has been known to bark at a passing vulture, I’m pretty sure that’s more out of admiration for their impressive flight ability than any sort of malice.

Anyway, as my wife Wendy can attest to, people often use words like “adorable” when they meet Scotty, and label him with all kinds of favorable words when they get to know him. The fact is, he’s a very happy, content and loving animal, and every day is a great day in Scotty World. 

But when it comes to owls, everything changes. When they’re in this dog’s vicinity, “it’s on.”

It’s like he’s challenging them to “come down from that perch and let me see you, face-to-face!” I have a feeling it’s in their best interest not to do that, because I think Scotty’s serious about his perceived raptor rivalry, and he’s equipped with some nasty fangs.

Yep, Scotty is not a fan of owls, and I think that applies to each and every one of them, regardless of their type, color or size. And given the personality and prevailing traits of the dog we’re referring to, I think maybe there’s something to his viewpoint of these birds (I’m at least giving him the benefit of the doubt).

So for the sake of accuracy, from now on I’m going to say that Scotty “loves almost everything and everybody.”

Of course, someone is going to ask, “what do you mean, almost?”

When that happens, I’ll be ready to say, “well, there’s this owl issue.”

Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.