Robin Runner! 8)

Sunday morning was sunny and dry, so we took the opportunity to head over to the park before anyone else would be up and out. I brought along an old tennis ball, so Big' would have something to keep focused on as we walked the trails through the wooded area. (Otherwise, his nose might lead him off in directions I would prefer he not go.)

I would toss the ball down the trail, he'd give chase, return, and we repeated this until we got to the soccer fields. Then ... Robins!

He took off like a SHOT -- a course hound with the prey in sight, he flew over the grassy fields, targeting the larger groups first. Back and forth, back and forth -- a black streak to a rising mass of red-breasted, dark wings taking flight. As one group launched, he'd swing 'round, spot another cluster in the distance, and take off again.

I watched the sheer joy emanating from him and my heart soared. The air was filled with the chatters of treed robins all about the fields.

Finally, only ONE solitary robin stood center field. Big' had passed it several times and it had never moved. I was concerned it might not be able to fly. Bigun approached it more slowly than the others, almost stalking it. I held my breath. God, please don't let him catch it!

Then, when he was just a couple of yards from the bird, he launched. I cringed, ready to yell "NO! Leave IT!" when the bird squawked and took flight, passed the bordering trees, and headed for the ball fields.

Big' sat down and watched it fly off, looked around at the empty fields and seeing them empty ... wagged his tail and set to sniffing.

Where there was birds, there will be bird smells, and my Beagle-Cocker is all about smells.