The O-Zone

This takes a very specific set of circumstances to occur, simultaneously.

First, Mishkin must be reclining on Dan’s lap, upside down with his eyes closed, luxuriating in getting pets.

Second, Dan and Mishkin must be watching TV and not paying attention to anything outside.

Third, Terry must be paying attention to what is happening outside, and because she is always paying attention, this is a certainty.

Fourth, a bear must make an appearance in the yard.  This is the cat-alyst, if you pardon the pun.

At that point several things occur in very rapid succession.  Terry notices the bear, and a split second later she provides the rest of her sleepy flock with the warning cry that civilization as we know it is going to cease to exist because there is a BEAR in the yard.

Another split second later, Mishkin is up the stairs, not having seen the bear but having heard the warning about impending doom.

Another split second later, Dan is cussing and complaining about his racing strips, which are a direct result of Mish using Dan’s leg as something to provide propulsion to his feet.

This is a very small bear, a cub from last year most likely. Innocently going about his business which, for a bear, means looking for something to eat. And since parrots are aware that this is a predator, alarms must be raised when a bear is spotted.

This was a very pretty chocolate brown bear.  Cute in my opinion.  A couple of days later a much larger bear arrived next to the driveway, closer to the house, roughly four times the size of this one.  Unfortunately for Dan, Mish was again reclining in his lap… and you can guess the rest of the story.

My comment was, “Poor kitty!”  and Dan was a little indignant since he was the one bleeding and the cat had still never actually seen a bear.