Oh gosh… when will I learn?
Saturday morning Jake and I hiked along the cliff edge on the back side of our favorite park. On our way up we’d already encountered squirrels galore, loads of birds, several deer, and a wild turkey mommy hiding in the tall grass- her brood clambering all over her back.
Wild Turkey Chicks.
I was cautious when I let Jake off his leash, making certain there were no other hikers around, no deer and a minimum of squirrels. He did the right thing, headed down the trail in front of me, staying in sight, when the mountain lion leaped from the brush on the uphill side of the trail, jumped down over the cliff edge into the ravine and raced up the steep slope on the far side— Jake on his heels.
Vanished around the bend.
Jeez! I could hear my dog crashing through the brush on the other side of the ravine, getting farther and farther away from me. Finally I knew he’d stopped because he began barking and I could tell from the echoing sounds that he was running round and round a tree.
I hurried down the trail, calling and whistling for him, hoping to catch a glimpse. I finally did spot him on the far ridge, just as the mountain lion leaped from the tree over a fence into the field on the other side, and disappeared. Of course Jake took off along the fence line after the lion and I figured I’d lost my dog.
Fortunately Jake couldn’t get through the fence and he eventually made his way back to me.
Oh my god that scared me.
Sunday we went back out and saw at least a dozen deer but no lion. Although from the way the deer skedaddled I’m pretty sure the lion was lurking nearby. These are city deer. They don’t give a crap. Usually they stand still and just watch when you hike by. Sunday they were crashing every which way, even running by us long after we’d passed them. Unless they were running at us for protection.
I’m giving Jake a few days off. We’re hanging out in the neighborhood. Not as much fun but at least my dog won’t tangle with a mountain lion. Seems they’re both spoiling for a fight.
P.S. While I was away Jake hurt his back. When I walked in the door he didn’t do his usual thing- jump on me and knock me down, which really surprised me. I’ve been concerned because he’s refused to jump onto the bed or into the car and he makes this yelp when I lift his rear right leg. Didn’t seem like either his knee or his hip was bothering him. I took him to the vet Tuesday morning and it appears he’s injured his back, either tweaked a muscle or slipped a disc. Damn! He’s on prednisone for two weeks.
There is going to be one almighty bust up if those two come together. Maybe the deer and squirrels were running ahead of you to get ringside seats to the brawl in the canyon ……
You and jake take care when out in the wilds and I know how he feels with his back, Ishbel’s a bit miffed I am no longer jumping onto her lap at the moment too ……….
Poor Jake. I hope he heals quickly. And stays away from the mountain lion!
I’m putting my money on Jake. After his back heals of course.
Feel better, Jakey!
You lead an interesting and exciting life, Julia. I feel so boring.
You and Jake be safe out there. Just met you. Want to know you for a long, long time.
Your husband is the only healthy one in your household. He’d better be careful. How’s the SIL? Healing, I hope.
Tell Jake chasing lions is fun, catching them, not so much.
Argh! I don’t know who’s nuttier, you or Jake! Or maybe you’re just a matched set.
Oh boy. Hope he feels better soon. And to echo Stephanie, let the chase be endless and never end up in a corner.
We are a matched set, honey! Except he looks like my husband… Oh yes, may they never end up in a corner. Let there be trees!
Hi Stephanie. SIL is okay - antsy. Can’t stand not being on a horse. Chasing lions is a passion.
I lead a crazy life, Roberta - mi loca vida! Never boring. The cougar population around here is why I have a big dog - otherwise it’s hike and worry.
I don’t know, Penny. He’s strong but the lion has longer claws. He’s feeling better.
Thanks, Amber. He does seem better today.
Oh - go jump on her lap anyway, Tom! Just be careful - she’s petite! The squirrels are looking forward to a smackdown, the deer are a little put off…
Wow. Hope Jake is feeling better REAL soon. Back problems regardless of species are a real pain!
Quite literally, Anny! He’s better.
Did the vet give you something to ease the pain, too?
Once, after Maggie sprained both back paws leaping from boulder to boulder in Rocky National Park, the young vet we took her to in Estes Park gave her a hearty hug, patted her head, and as he gave us a packet of pain pills/anti-inflammatories, he said to Maggie, “But you had a great adventure, didn’t you, girl? So you just tell your mom and dad that it’s all good, that you’re just doing what you’re built to do.” We loved that vet.
Keep him away from that damn mountain lion! I wan’t you both in one piece.
Yessir, Ray, yessir! I’m trying to be afraid! More worried about my dog.
What a great vet, Marylin! I want a vet like that! I have some pain pills but I didn’t want to cover up the pain because then Jake would try to do too much.
Well someone here gotta be scared if you won’t do it! Hope Jake gets better fast.
Thanks, Ray.