Owl

It was dark when I opened the door for the dog to go out. A few minutes later, the silhouette of a Great Horned Owl appeared, silent on the phone wire. No wing beats announced it. The markings, bars, eye rings, all were obscured by night. Only the size and the tufted ears gave it away.

The owl looked down as Kohnan walked into the open back yard. I followed, worried the dog might look appetizing. I called to him. He had no fear, but I’m a coward. I grabbed him, pulled to get him inside while he squirmed, insulted.