Monday, February 11, 2013

KAYA & NORMAN MEET MOMMA BEAR (LITERALLY)

A few days after Kaya's near death experience, we had yet another close call. This time it could have been all 3 of us! We were out on a walk in the woods by the house. Kaya and Norman were doing their Norman thing...running around, chasing tennis balls, climbing on logs, sniffing and playing. Then they ran down a hill and at first I didn't think anything of it because they typically run in a lot of directions for no good reason.


But then I saw what they were headed to check out...a big brown bear. I called them and of course Kaya turned around right away and ran back to me.  But Norman stood there like a deer caught in headlights, not barking or moving at all, just standing there. By now, the bear climbed about half way up a tree. I think Norman wanted to turn around and come back, but was afraid to turn his back on the bear. I wasn't too concerned at this point because I've run into bears up here before and they are always run up trees when they see people and dogs and they don't come down until everyone leaves. Zoey and I followed one through the neighborhood once and it scurried up a tree as soon as it saw us.

Zoey's bear friend.

So I kept calling Norman and only about 10 seconds went by, when the bear started climbing down the tree and growled at Norman. As my heart jumped into my throat, Norman spun around and ran faster than I ever dreamed he could run. Though the bear never actually moved away from the tree, Norman kept on running, with wide eyes, 'til he was back with Kaya and I and we high-tailed it out of there.

Can you see the bear? It's the dark spot in the middle of the picture.

Though curiosity got the best of me and I had to go back to get a better look at the bear. I was trying to figure out why it went after Norman when all the others had acted so scared. We we got back to the same spot I told Kaya and Norman to stay so I could walk closer very quietly.

Norman was still a little concerned, but Kaya was just miffed that she was not chasing down tennis balls instead.

Then I saw...it was a momma bear and her two little cubs. While, I crouched down to take some pictures, she didn't seem to notice us or care at least. They were so beautiful to watch...I could have stayed there all day!


Waiting...


But the momma bear decided it was time to move on and so I did too.


Gosh lady...what took you so long?

Has anyone else's dog met a bear or another wild animal they were not expecting?

Related Posts:
Kaya's Brush with Death
Pitties Explore Lake Tahoe
The Next Generation

10 comments:

  1. holy crap! I would have been scared outta my mind...look at you going back to investigate.

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  2. holy crap! I would have been scared outta my mind...look at you going back to investigate.

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  3. Geez... that would have scared the crap out of me. I'm glad Kaya came when you called and Norman finally got the hint and came back. I have a bad feeling that Boomer and Dottie would have wanted to make a new friend and it wouldn't have ended as well.

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  4. My pups have yet to encounter a bear but I am sure it will happen soon...

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  5. That's terrifying. You are MUCH more brave than I am, that would scare the living Christmas out of me. We are used to coyotes, not bears. Your dogs are great too, knowing my dogs they'd go ballistic and not respond appropriately at all.

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  6. I can't believe Kaya & Norman were so good! My dogs would either high tail it out of there, leaving me to fend for myself or chase after the bear. Kudos to them and to you!

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  7. Been there, done that! It was a few years ago with Cairo. We encountered a momma bear and her cubs while hiking in PA. We were upwind of her so it took a few minutes for her to realize we were there. Cairo was awesome and even though she was off leash, she sat and stayed while I clipped her leash on.

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  8. Oh gosh, that was almost a close call! I am glad you got to see the baby bears in the end though :)

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  9. Wow! That's pretty scary. You guys better take it easy from now on!

    Oink oink,
    Katie and Coccolino the mini pig

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  10. Wow! Way to have a good recall on Kaya and kudos to Norman for not chasing after the bears! :) Those pictures are awesome though!

    Emily @ Our Waldo Bungie
    www.ourwaldobungie.com

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