Was that a Bear?
Was that a Bear? “That was a bear… no that wasn’t a bear … yes, it was… maybe we should turn back… it looked like the end of an over grown woolly bear caterpillar…It was a bear and we really should turn back… it just strolled into the woods 50 to 75 yards ahead of us… Yeah, that was a bear, dogs we need to head home now. Lets walk elsewhere today.”
Willow and Nash, 15 feet up front, noses to the ground, did not notice the bear. Fortunately I did. If we had gotten to its location they would have picked up its scent and tracked. The whole lack luster encounter, thankfully, unfolded in slow motion. My brain sluggishly processed what my eyes witnessed. My feet kept moving my body forward as this conversation unraveled in my head. There was no fear and I doubt the bear knew we were even there just as the dogs didn’t notice. Imagine if I hadn’t happened to look up at that very instant the woolly, jet-black end of the bear evaporated into the woods. The dogs would have caught the fresh scent and then what? We can only guess. We keep to our space and the bear keeps its own. I wonder how many times the creatures of the woods have witnessed our trespass and the dogs tracked their scent to no end? I love watching my dogs investigate a scent trail. We just keep moving forward on our path and the moose, bear, coyote, fox, bobcat, dear secretly watch as we wade through their space
Dog hikes in woods
Hi Judy,
I try to keep the senses keen when in the woods with my dogs and listen to them as well. I have heard of a few close calls that other people have had. Mostly the creatures in the woods would rather not tangle, so I try to stomp loud and place bells on the dogs' collars. This way I know where the dogs are and the critters know where we are, eliminate the element of surprise. I did see a moose one time, they usually aren't in a hurry to get out of your way.
Mary
Glad you 3 didn't tangle with that bear, Mary! I'm afraid to walk our girls in the woods around here just for that reason. So we stay in the yard, or walk the street on leash.
When we hike the woods it's just us upright humans.
Judy