A Word You Don’t Want to Hear When Out Walking

It felt like any other fall stroll. My Yorkie Libby and I did our usual daily loop–down our driveway, along the road, up the next street, and reverse. We were heading home when our neighborhood FedEx driver slowed down to talk to me. His face looked serious. “Just want you to know, Laurie, I saw a bobcat where you were just walking.” I felt a chill.

“Be careful, they’re out there,” he warned, before driving off. First, I was struck by his kindness in telling me. Then I felt terror. Libby and I were near our home but on this gray fall afternoon, red and yellow leaves drifting everywhere, each step, every rustle in the woods, every twig snap put me on edge. Libby seemed unperturbed, which gave me some comfort. This Yorkie’s never shy about barking at anyone or anything she senses on her turf.

We arrived home, thankfully, with no bobcat spotted.

A year ago, my mom spotted one strolling up our driveway early morning. Was it the same animal? Or did we have several in our neighborhood? A quick Google search told me bobcats, with their tufted ears, usually have a seven-mile range, are not considered aggressive, but are still dangerous, and can run up to 30 m.p.h. Gulp.

Even before that day, I always wore a whistle whenever I walked outside. A week ago, we found one of our garbage cans knocked over in our driveway, some of the trash bags strewn about, a sure sign of bear. In our small Connecticut town, there are almost daily sightings of these large furry creatures. Thankfully, most wild animals don’t want to meet up with humans. They wisely stay away.

Even since the day the FedEx man warned me, I can’t say I’m truly scared when I take our walks. Although always on the lookout, and wearing my trusty whistle, I never see any large animals, only the usual birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. But of course, that doesn’t mean they don’t see us. 

And yes, I know they wouldn’t mind a tasty morsel like Libby, but I doubt they’d attack a dog with a human attached. Still, you never know. I’m always alert. I’ve even considered bringing pepper spray.

Not to mention, the thought of not walking Libby is unthinkable. Not only does it help with her “doing her business”, but it’s good exercise for both of us. We can’t let one little bobcat take away our fun. Can we?

Still, even with this whiff of danger, I truly love the wild creatures around us, from the big to the tiny. I enjoy sharing our world with these beautiful animals–as long as they stay in their lane. Most of the time, its hunger that leads them into our vicinity, which makes me sad.

In the meantime, it’s easy to be distracted on these walks by the astonishing beauty of fall. But then I’ll hear a rustle of leaves or Libby starts sniffing the air a little more vigorously than usual. 

And I’ll remember, as the FedEx man kindly told me—they’re out there.

 

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