Changes - and Heart Dogs

When I went away to Bear Land, a couple of things changed at home. First, the Flycatchers, who nest under our deck every summer, had at least one nestling when I departed - and things seemed to be going smoothly for them. When I returned home, they had no babies in the nest (which was still intact), and they were building a new nest in a different spot under our deck. I assumed that their original nestling(s) died or were plucked from the nest by a predator. I felt very sad for them.

Mr. Flycatcher stared at me imploringly during breakfast one morning recently.

Believe it or not, within about 48 hours, they put together an exquisite new nest under our deck, and very soon thereafter, the female was incubating eggs. But then, another unknown tragedy struck, and they abandoned the nest.

I haven't dared peek in the nest to see what happened to their eggs because the pair is still hanging around our deck, acting as if they plan to try again. Both of the pair are sleeping in the trees near the deck. They chirp back and forth well into the night. They fly under the deck frequently to keep an eye on the nest.

I wonder what will happen. It's getting very late in the summer to start a family, especially with the very long migration awaiting them this fall. I'd adore to see them successfully raise a brood but I'm starting to wonder if it might be smarter for them to start preparing for migration. Mr. Flycatcher seems to disagree, as he guarded the nest this morning with all the enthusiasm that he did when they made their first nest.

I said that there were changes (plural) while I was gone. The other one was with Miss Shyla. She has become even more snuggly and attached to me than before. Where ever I am, she's next to me, just like K used to be. When I go out on the deck for breakfast, I pull a bed out for her, and she always joins me. I adore having her by my side.

She wants to snuggle whenever I lie down, and she lets out long contented sighs whenever I hug her. Her affection is infectious! I always had the feeling that we'd grow a super strong bond with time, and now I feel that the time for that bond is now.

I am getting an inkling that I may be one of those unbelievably lucky people to have more than one heart dog in a lifetime. K expanded my heart, making it big enough for ShyBear too.