It's a Dog's Life
The first time it happened I panicked. Bailey and I were in the backyard playing ball when I saw a little fledgling on the ground. It was old enough to fly but was still small. I crouched down to see it better. Surprisingly it didn't seem at all afraid; it regarded me as curiously as I did it. Bailey loped over and calmly sat across from me, also regarding the bird. "Look Bailey, it's a baby," I said. The bird didn't try to fly or run away. It just stood there calmly looking at the two of us, woman and dog. That's when it happened. Before I could blink Bailey swallowed the bird. Whole. I screamed. Then I immediately started smacking Bailey on the top of the head. In a flash, as quickly as she'd taken it into her mouth, she spit it out. My husband flew out the backdoor, responding to my screaming. If you ever have a crisis, he's the man you want. The bird, dazed and a little gooey, promptly flew up to the nearest pine branch to collect itself. It...