I moved to Kissimmee 7 years ago in the area of Eagles Reserve and Hunter’s Creek. At that time, we had more cattle for neighbors than people, and I liked it a lot. Peaceful and beautiful (even though the air would fill with the rank odor of seemingly rotten vegetable matter used as a cattle supplement), it was a great location to raise and train dogs. There were many undeveloped fields to exercise them off leash, unrestrained. The kind of open places large dogs such as Dobermanns and German Shepherds needed to run and get a real workout.
I figured the Eagles Reserve area was so named because at one time, Eagles nested here you know, before their territory dwindled, a result of the ever increasing housing development in Osceola County over the past several years. I am always on the lookout for undeveloped areas where I can exercise, train and walk with my dogs; not just for them, but for me too. It’s relaxing, allowing for a mental break amidst peaceful surroundings. Over the past few years I’ve seen my share of Florida’s wildlife: bears, panthers, turkeys, gators, birds of many varieties, snakes, bugs, rabbits, falcons, hawks, owls, otters, racoons, possum, armadillo, deer (the owl was really cool – we stared at each other for over 10 minutes… piercing eyes it had. He was nestled amongst branches of my neighbor’s tree; I stood below looking up at him. He didn’t budge or blink the whole time. My neck got tired of looking up, so I guess you could say I gave in first.) But one creature I’d never seen, even though I lived in an area named for it, was an eagle. Until a few weeks ago.
How excited I was when I realized I was looking at an American Bald Eagle through my camera lens, on a walk with my pack. It was perched atop the tallest tree in the patch of woods adjacent to our path. The tree was dripping grey moss, and the Eagle’s white head glistened in the morning sun on the distant treetop. I never thought I’d be excited about seeing an eagle, but it IS the symbol of our nation.
I felt so lucky to have seen and photographed it before it took off and disappeared behind the trees. I look for it every time I return. No luck so far, but it took 7 years to see one for the first time; I know I’ll see one again.
Dog owners TRAIN and EXERCISE your dogs. Explore! You never know what you may come across.
Can’t take your dog on adventures like this because he won’t return when called or respond to other commands? Contact Total Control Dog Owner Assistance.
Good morning Judy: I was so thrilled to find this post in my inbox this morning. It frustrated me that I was too late to help you plug it into the Pet Bloggers’ Saturday Blog Hop. It would have gotten you tons of traffic. Anyway, it’s just good to see you writing again. It must be a positive sign.
My site needs it’s original trainer back, so feel free to give a holler when you’re ready to resume posting. WE MISS YOU!