So this is why I like going on hikes with Charlotte. Because unlike Ma'ii, she only acts up when something is seriously wrong. Some of you know from my picture threads that we've been boondocking way up in the national forest areas of AZ, near the grand canyon. We are way, way, way out there, and have been so for 3 weeks now. Only person we've seen this whole time was a forest ranger who was just passing through to make sure we were following fire code.
Anyways, last night, Charlotte and I took off for a walk around sunset, leaving Ma'ii behind with my husband. We were gone for about 25 minutes or so without incident, when suddenly Charlotte stops and stares off into this field. Suddenly her tail flys straight up over her back and her fur begins to bristle. I'm looking and looking and can't see anything. Than she charges forward a few feet and stops. I'm a bit spooked by this point, and end up leashing her and dragging her off in the opposite direction. As we are walking away, she'd frequently stop and turn around and look behind us. It wasn't until we were way up on top of a hill that I looked down and saw a frickin' MOUNTAIN LION slinking into the bushes way down where we just were. We've encountered them before, but it's always been when safety was 10 feet away, not a mile from home out in no man's land, with just a can of mace for protection. We got our butts out of there in a hurry.
Looking back on it, I'm pretty sure if Charlotte had been alone or I had been out of view, she'd have been lunch. Me simply being there was probably the only thing keeping it from attacking. Charlotte would of fought like hell, but she's no match for a cougar. We do have a pistol, but it's my husband's and he's the only one that knows how to use it. Think it's time I start learning too.
Anyways, last night, Charlotte and I took off for a walk around sunset, leaving Ma'ii behind with my husband. We were gone for about 25 minutes or so without incident, when suddenly Charlotte stops and stares off into this field. Suddenly her tail flys straight up over her back and her fur begins to bristle. I'm looking and looking and can't see anything. Than she charges forward a few feet and stops. I'm a bit spooked by this point, and end up leashing her and dragging her off in the opposite direction. As we are walking away, she'd frequently stop and turn around and look behind us. It wasn't until we were way up on top of a hill that I looked down and saw a frickin' MOUNTAIN LION slinking into the bushes way down where we just were. We've encountered them before, but it's always been when safety was 10 feet away, not a mile from home out in no man's land, with just a can of mace for protection. We got our butts out of there in a hurry.
Looking back on it, I'm pretty sure if Charlotte had been alone or I had been out of view, she'd have been lunch. Me simply being there was probably the only thing keeping it from attacking. Charlotte would of fought like hell, but she's no match for a cougar. We do have a pistol, but it's my husband's and he's the only one that knows how to use it. Think it's time I start learning too.