photo courtesy of google images photographer unknown.
oh what a night we had here in the canyon… my puppy inga woke me up barking hysterically at like 11 pm,, and it was then that i heard it- the scream of a mountain lion evidently making a kill on the hill directly in front of my house.. it must have been a difficult kill because the gut wrenching screams continued on for what seemed like forever before the night resumed its silence…
inga was inconsolable.. she was terrified,, but she wanted to go outside to see what was out there making that noise.. of course i couldn’t let her as i was terrified she would be its next victim,, so we spent the night trying to soothe her tortured soul,, and go back to sleep.. needless to say neither came easy..
i know there are mountain lions where i live,, but i have never seen nor heard one before,, and now that i have i feel a strange sense of night terror i have never felt before.. i know it is just nature and that even a mountain lion deserves to eat,, but i cannot rinse the terrifying cry’s from my memory.. how can i ever let the dogs out at night again without fear??
this is a side of “country living” i have never experienced,, and would have been all the better off if i never had!!!
July 21st, 2009 at 10:02 am
OMG. That is terrifying! TERRIFYING! For so many reasons. Poor Inga. Poor you. I feel the same way — the cougar needs to survive, to hunt — but at who’s expense. I would never let my dogs out without a leash again!
July 21st, 2009 at 11:48 am
Yikes! Gotta say that would rattle me pretty badly… not sure what can be done. Maybe external, motion sensitive lights would keep them away from the property?
July 21st, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Woo! What an experience! I feel quite sorry for both you and Inga! The power of the unknown in darkness can be more terrifying than the actual reality of seeing it in action! Maybe food is scarce in the summer months! Perhaps it is a seasonal circumstance! That’s what I would think and be careful!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
that is terribly frightening!
July 21st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
omg!! I can’t imagine how freaked you were! I know they need to eat but can’t they go to taco bell like the other california cats?
I don’t blame you for not letting inga out or your dogs out at night…EVER!!! Want to come live in subs with me?
xox
July 21st, 2009 at 5:27 pm
That is horrible! I can’t imagine how afraid you must have been. Don’t go out after dark!
July 21st, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Wow. We have cougars in our area but they are up in the mountains and stay far from where there are people. I just got kittens though and I was sad to learn that it has become completely unsafe to let them outside. We had cats here before, but years ago. Since then, the coyote population has expanded. The place is just crawling with them. I see their tracks very near my house all the time and I hear them howling often. Then there are bobcats. But if I had COUGARS near my house that would be a whole other can of wax.
I agree with Mimi, don’t go out after dark. I’m sure you and your dog will be fine if you take proper precautions.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:52 am
Jodi, I must have gone to sleep with you and Inga on my mind because I woke just before dawn with what I believed actually was going on. If you have ever witnessed and listened to the wooing and love making between two barn cats, you have a “mini” scenario of what was taking place out in the darkeness and not a Puma making a kill.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:59 am
Jodi, I must have gone to sleep with you and Inga on my mind because I woke just before dawn with what I believed actually was going on out there in the hills that had you and Inga frightened. If you have ever witnessed, and listened to the wooing and love making between two barn cats, you have a “mini” scenario of what was taking place out in the darkeness and not a Puma making a kill. Cats take a long time “getting acquainted” and unlike most animals, the male isn’t satisfied with just one mating. It’s a loud and awesome mating to listen to.
I have watched barn cats stalk and kill a rat and believe me, the process is a slick and quiet one. No cat, not even a puma is going to kill its prey and scream at the same time … and the prey sure isn’t going to live long enough to make itself known for more than a few minutes at the most.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:35 am
Yikes indeed! Here in BC, there have been cougar and bear sightings in the area but nothing too close to us. This sounds like an experience, you and the pets won’t forget soon.
Hugs Paisley and stay safe!
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Isn’t about this time of year that they come out?
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I’m with Mary Kaufman on this one. Cats do not give their victims time to suffer and scream so long and miserably as you heard; It’s apparently mating season around your neck of the wood. LoL.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
You need to put this event into one of your signature stories, J. Maybe the fear would pass through you then. Are there forest rangers you could talk to for advice on whether or not you should go out with the dogs at night?
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:25 pm
scary, scary, scary – First the mountain lion, then the night, and some of us are scared of dogs too!
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:40 pm
That is scary. I don’t know anything about mountain lions? Do they only come out at night? They wouldn’t come right up to the house, would they? How terrifying. I hope you and the dogs remain safe.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
I understand your trepidation, but I always get blown away by what magnificent creatures they are. Vancouver Island (where I live) has the largest concentration of them in North America, yet after many years here I have never seen one in the wild. The only one I ever saw was, sadly enough, roadkill on the freeway.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
There are many in this area. While I’ve seen more than my share, I’ve never heard one. I think Mary is right about what you heard. It is said that the mountain lion has one of the spookiest cries -
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Very scary, nature or not! I hope you manage to stay calm enough to keep the doggies calm and asleep!
I had to listen as to Dobermans tore our cat apart late one night. It was the most bone chilling sound I have ever heard. The cat’s cries and screams will never leave my ears.
Whatever it was, don’t let the doggies out and don’t you go out, either.
July 24th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Wow Paisley… you sure know how to start someone’s heart. I’m thankful you guys weren’t outside this night. God knows what could have happened. Do you think this is what Inga could have been barking at so much lately? Dogs do sense things before we do. I would certainly call a forest ranger about precautions and never go outside without strong lighting and a leash on your dogs. Maybe you could set up a makeshift bathroom for the dogs inside until you get word it’s safe to return them to the outside after dark. Glad you and your family are safe.
July 24th, 2009 at 9:13 am
That would shake many dogs and people! Quite the experience.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Well, I’m sticking to Mary’s story — you just heard some funky mountain lion lovemaking, girl! Nothing wrong with that!!!!
July 24th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I agree with Mary. When I lived in Colorado, I used to dog-sit for a lot of my friends. One lived in the mountains, and had a little fox terrier named Oreo. Oreo was a pistol. He never really barked, but he moved like greased lightening. …and he would vibe you awake in the morning. He wouldn’t jump on the bed, he wouldn’t make a sound, he would just sidle up to the side of the bed, and level this fixed stare at you. I’m not kidding, I can’t tell you the number of mornings I would awake to Oreo’s head about six inches from the side of the bed, his little nub of a tail wildly in motion, gazing right at me with the sole purpose of vibing me awake.
I was at work one morning, when a friend called to give me the news. Larry, Oreo’s owner, wasn’t thinking, and let him out at dusk to go to the bathroom (dusk and dawn are the worst times for mountain lion attacks). Larry heard Oreo barking like crazy, and then nothing. The worst had happened, and, of course, I was inconsolable for days. I can’t imagine how Larry must have felt.
If you were to happen upon a mountain lion, make yourself appear as large as possible. Stand up straight. DO NOT RUN. That engages the mountain lion’s instinct to attack. Make noises, throw rocks, do whatever you can to make it think you are in control. Don’t bend over or crouch. Always fight back, don’t roll into a ball, etc…
In the almost 20 years I lived in CO, and hiked – 14ers as well – I never once saw a mountain lion. I don’t think you have to worry, Jodi, but it’s good to know how to react if it were to happen.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
We used to see coyotes walk down the middle of the street in broad daylight and knew it was only a matter of time before someone’s pet was posted as missing. Our rooster finally was caught, and then a dear cat. When drought conditions are worse, the wildlife looks for their food from us, sadly. I can only imagine your fear and would be completely unsettled by the experience.
July 26th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Wow, and all we have to worry about are squirrels tapping the window wanting food.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
scaredy cat!
July 28th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
1) Purchase a second hand bugle and be sure to tell your neighbors why you are going to toot your horn.
Ask your guardian angel to ask the animals guardian angel to go far away.
2) Blow it on and off for about five minutes … just to clear the air and area of wild life. Hearing you play an instrument you know nothing about will make them head for the hills.
3) Urinate into a pitcher and in the daylight mark your territory. The cat will understand you are saying “Keep Off My Property.”
4) Get a few motion detectors because it is better to flood the area with light.
5) Two pans being banged together is helpful.
6) Set up a covered area, run a power cord and turn on some hard rock music prior to letting your dogs out.
7) Purchase a shotgun for your safety … and yes I trust you not to shoot yourself in the foot.
* The thing is … if they were mating, which sounds (no pun intended) like it, will not there be little ones in a few short months? Better to frighten the Mother and Father away now.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
That must have been terrifying. I don’t blame you for not wanting to let the dogs out. Nature is beautiful but also violent at times. I never can watch nature shows on tv cuz watching the prey die is so heart-wrenching to me, even though I know it’s a necessary death in order to feed the predator.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 am
A frightening experience. luckily (or maybe not in eco terms), in the UK, we don’t have any wild animals left. Sightings are more surreal, such as the peacock that was wandering around the village the other day. No one knows where THAT came from.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Just stopping by to say hi and to see what’s new.
Hope all is well Paisley.
Many hugs, G
August 8th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
HEY!!!! Are you OK!?! Just wanna make sure the cougars didn’t getcha.
Seriously. Are you OK?
August 9th, 2009 at 9:16 am
just wanted to tell you that I love you!
August 9th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
OMG! it seriously sounds scary! sometimes being close to nature is not as fun as we are used to think
August 11th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Wanted to stop by and say hi on old grounds!!!!
August 12th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
You OK?
August 14th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
You have been silent for awhiles! Hoping all is OK in your world!
August 19th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I’m kind of worried about you! Hope everything is okay!
August 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
@Theresa111, I initially read “urinate in a pitcher in the daylight,” and thought, yep, doing that in the yard will scare the wildlife and the neighbors away.
August 29th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Hello, just stopping by to say hi and that I hope you are ok. I have an award for you at my blog. I don’t know if you do awards, but I thought it might cheer you up. Don’t feel that you have to pass it on. Anyway, just thinking of you, I’ve been a little worried. I hope everything is ok.
Hugs,
Jane
August 31st, 2009 at 2:30 am
Holy cow. You live where there are mountain lions? I think you would laugh at my silly little story of encountering a bear on my bike in Colorado. Clearly not as threatening as a mountain lion!
September 1st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Just stopping by, hoping for an update. See you on facebook. xoxoox
September 5th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Here in Manitoba we recently had our first Cougar sighting in decades. There are a few Coyotes just outside the city but so far I haven’t heard about them snatching pets like they do in Western Canada, where every year there are a few Cougar attacks..usually on female joggers and cyclists.
I noticed a lot of good advice from your blogmates. Mark your boundaries, make some noise, be proactive. Were I ever brave enough to live near the wilderness I would be phobic about the black bears. Ran into one at a campsite when I was a kid and I’ve been scared ever since. Back in the 60s they used to shoot the Bears in our campground at all hours of the day…at least 2 or 3 a Summer. Of course some genius decided to build the garbage dump about 2 miles away from the campground..and yes every night kids would jump in their pajamas and Dad would drive into the dump to watch the Bears eat their garbage. Wow…look kids NATURE!
I’m sure you watched Grizzly Man (the tragic doc about Timothy Treadwell..how ironic…living with Bears without a gun) and now there is a new fellere trying to live with a Lion pride on Animal Planet?! We modern Humans seem to have a guilty Disneyfied perception of wildlife don’t we? Especially our carnivorous competitors.
Be safe.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
And all I have in the backyard are possums and echidnas
September 12th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Jodi, you have a host of friends out here in blogland who love you and a bit anxious about you.
We, each and every one of us, find ourselves wishing at times to simply allow the curtain to come down, bringing an end to whatever character we happen to be playing, walk off the stage and into a brand new theater and into a brand new play. I think it’s time you harkened to the will of your audience and came back for an encore. No?
September 14th, 2009 at 6:16 am
now I am just nudging you to see if that will shake a blog post out of you!
September 24th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
We all wait and wonder dear sweet friend…are you and the dogs OK…summer has gone…did we miss it…we miss you…???
September 25th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Nice new photo.
You look happier (hope you are).
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 am
This is quite unbelievable! i can only imagine what shock you must have experienced, I never knew there were lions in the Canyon. How do you stay safe in thta kind of environment?!Amazing. Have you actually seen a lion in daylight? And have you experienced other exotic animals?
October 8th, 2009 at 3:59 am
OMG freaky, I have goosebumps from just reading the article ! Hope you will never have to face one of these monsters.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Has anyone heard something about real affronts against humans? I would stay in house at night. There`s nothing more to say and don`t let your pets run around.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Alright woman….thats just about enough DOWN TIME from you! You need to start writing again! xoxoxo <3
November 26th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Mountainlions, that sounds scary. I don’t think the lions will actually attack you with your dog as there are probably some easier meals for them…..
But totally relying on it would be tricky, keeping your dogs on a leash is definitely the best thing you can do.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
wish u were blogging again. xoxo
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:31 am
Happy holidays!
Hope you are well!
Miss you!
December 25th, 2009 at 11:04 am
make a bubble of protection (blue) around you and yours (not a one off thing .. renew it thro visualisation as often as) ..
the wild must be wild … respect it …
you can’t control it but you can make your markers known in spirit and it should respect you and yours …
i’ve been out of touch in this part of the net, i hope – though don’t expect – you remember me …
but i’m here …
S