Saving a dog from a puma

When Loyalty Roars: My Dog, a Puma, and a Fight for Survival

The crisp mountain air vibrated with an unnatural silence. A silence that screamed danger. We were on our usual morning hike, my loyal Labrador, Buddy, bounding ahead, nose to the ground, living his best dog life. I was a few paces behind, enjoying the tranquility of the Colorado wilderness, when the silence shattered. A terrifying snarl ripped through the air, followed by Buddy’s panicked yelp.

My heart leaped into my throat. Instinct took over. I ran towards the sound, adrenaline coursing through my veins. What I saw next is something I’ll never forget.

Standing between Buddy and me, barely twenty feet away, was a mountain lion. A puma. Its powerful body was coiled, muscles taut, ready to strike. Buddy, bless his brave heart, was barking furiously, positioning himself between me and the predator. He was defending me, even though he was clearly terrified.

Time seemed to warp and distort. My mind raced, desperately searching for solutions. I knew mountain lions were opportunistic hunters, and Buddy, though large, was no match for its strength and agility. I had to act, and act fast.

Luckily, I remembered some advice I’d read about surviving a mountain lion encounter: make yourself look as large as possible, make noise, and don’t run. Running would trigger the puma’s instinct to chase.

With a shaky breath, I raised my arms above my head, puffing out my chest and yelling as loud as I could. “HEY! GET OUT OF HERE! GO ON! GET LOST!” My voice cracked with fear, but I kept yelling, trying to project an image of dominance.

The puma didn’t flinch at first, its golden eyes locked on Buddy. It let out another low growl, a sound that resonated deep within my bones. I continued yelling, picking up a large stick and waving it aggressively.

Then, something shifted. Maybe it was my unexpected defiance, maybe it was the loud, unfamiliar noise, or maybe it was simply that I was no longer an easy target. Whatever the reason, the puma seemed to reconsider its decision. It flicked its tail, its muscles uncoiling slightly.

Slowly, almost reluctantly, it backed away, never breaking eye contact. It continued to back away until it reached the edge of the treeline, then with one last, lingering look, it disappeared into the dense undergrowth.

I scrambled to Buddy, checking him for injuries. He was shaken, panting heavily, but thankfully, seemed unharmed. I hugged him tight, burying my face in his fur, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. My brave, loyal dog had stood between me and a predator, and I had managed to scare it away.

We retreated slowly, keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding woods, our hearts pounding in unison. We didn’t stop walking until we were safely back in the car, miles away from the encounter.

That day taught me a valuable lesson: loyalty can come in the form of a four-legged friend with a wet nose and a wagging tail. It also reinforced the importance of being prepared and knowing how to react in a dangerous situation. I’m incredibly grateful that Buddy and I both made it out of that encounter unscathed. And I know that our bond is stronger than ever.

Here are a few takeaways from my experience:

Be aware of your surroundings: When hiking in mountain lion country, pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of potential dangers.
Keep your dog close: Keep your dog on a leash or under close control, especially in areas known to be inhabited by mountain lions.
Know what to do: Learn the proper techniques for deterring a mountain lion attack. Making yourself look big, making noise, and not running are crucial.
Carry a deterrent: Consider carrying bear spray, which can also be effective against mountain lions.

This experience was terrifying, but ultimately, it brought me closer to my dog and made me more aware of the wild beauty and potential dangers of the natural world. Now, when we hike, we’re both a little more cautious, a little more aware, and a whole lot more grateful for each other.