Just as her talons, those marvelous weapons, raked my fur, I caught my right front foot in a small hole and stumbled.
If she’d gotten hold of my body, I wouldn’t be here. But all she managed to do was grab my tail.
Only time in my life I’ve regretted my handsome hindquarters.
I was airborne, hanging upside down, dizzy and dazed. And just crazy enough to think, Hey, I’m actually flying, before the terror hit full force.
I caught a whiff of other animals below. Later I found out they were pocket gophers, but back then I just knew I was smelling something completely foreign.
The owl must have decided the gophers would make a more satisfying meal. She let loose her grip, and I plummeted to the earth.