Around 6am one morning this week, Sodger got out of bed, indicating that he needed to go outside. I picked up his dish, added a small handful of biscuits and opened the door to Shadow’s garden, putting on the outside light as I did so. Sodger rushed out and came to a sudden stop at the top of the steps down to the lawn. I grabbed hold of him and pulled him back behind the kennels on the veranda. Standing staring at us, clutching its breakfast of half-eaten rabbit, was a Barn Owl. After weighing up the situation it took a few more mouthfuls, then flew to the back of the lawn where it had a final mouthful before flying up onto a fence post where it perched for a minute or two checking is surroundings, before flying off into the darkness. I released my hold on Sodger and he ran off to inspect where the owl had been feeding. I heard him crunch on a few bones. He then completed his ablutions and came to eat his biscuits. We went back inside; I turned off the light and we both went back to bed for another hour or so. It was an encounter I will never forget.

This morning, the same ritual took place, though with Ella barking frantically, as both dogs rushed outside. I caught sight of the owl flying away, but it had abandoned its breakfast! Ella quickly dispatched the half dead rabbit as it tried to escape, then she proceeded to devour it for her own breakfast.

I hope the owl has more success as we have too many rabbits around and I will be a bit more circumspect tomorrow when I let the dog(s) out.