Wild life too close for comfort

On Friday August 28 we ventured out to the North side of the Grand Canyon, but before we leave, we need to wear the dogs out with some exercise. So I take Emma and Jessi out with me to the preserve just a half mile away from our house on a mountain bike ride. Rylee is on restriction because she and the other 2 got into a little scuffle with each other and she ended up getting 7 staples in her left front leg. The 3 of us are just cruising, taking it easy and going deep into the Junipers and scrub brush, Jessi of course is on the hunt 24/7 with that nose of hers, chasing rabbits and whatever else catches her fancy.

We stop for some water and shade. The trail heads down an embankment and through 2 Junipers that are about 15 feet apart and 50 yards ahead. Jessi is on my right at about 20 feet and Emma is next to me doing her job, herding me. I glance down the trail and a 70-80lb mountain lion crosses the trail right in front of us! I had to do a double take. "Did I just see what I thought I did" I say to myself? I hit the brakes and look for Jessi. She is headed right for it, but doesn't see it because of the trees. I call her back to me, like a good girl she listens to me. I turn around and head back in the other direction of course. Mountain lions in this area are pretty brave and will attack humans as well as other animals. Just a couple months earlier there was a rabid fox that locked onto a womens' arm while she was jogging.

On the way back to Brooke and Rylee, I ran into a hiker with his pooch and let him know what I had seen, unfortunately he was headed home and that was the path he had to take to get there. Usually when we hike or bike in the area we always feel like something is watching us, now we know what it is and can keep an extra eye out for them, and yeah, next time maybe pack some heat just to be on the safe side.