OMG Terrifying Morning - I am still shaking...

[lisaxmichelle]

So glad to hear everyone is ok!!! Take this a reminder of how to stay safe! Just this past week, not too far from where I lived, two young children in separate cases were attacked by coyotes! It seems that these animals are becoming less fearful of humans and it's a scary thought..

[Darlene68]

Scary, So glad your little ones were okay!!

[winston2010]

I know how you feel. I sit for two different friends that have little yorkies. I always use a leash on them because we have hawks who like to use my birdfeeders as a breakfast buffet. I am scared to dead they will come down on the girls. And since I now have a little one of my own I have already learned that lesson.

Originally Posted by TLC

Let me set the stage.

I am doggie sitting for my sister, Cuddles 4.5 lb Morkie and Lulu 4.5 lb Silky. They are potty trained to go outside. I have had them for a week now.

My backyard is fenced in, but we have lots and lots of bunnies. Well, after a week now, the dogs know there will be bunnies to chase so they go flying out the door, across my raised patio, down the 5 steps onto the grass ready for a bunny. We live on a acre, so the backyard is pretty big, and flat and open.

This morning, we got up early and I brought them out at 6 am. The sun comes up in the back, so the whole yard is bright and sunny, just like it would be at 12 noon. The girls run right for the grass. Thank God that first thing in the morning they have to pee bad, so the stay close to the patio. I am standing on the patio at the edge, right above them. Both girls pee. Cuddles runs over to the right side of my yard as that is where she poops. Lulu is still in her spot right in front of me pooping, as soon as she is done, I call her up onto the patio. The grass is wet and we have tons of mosquitos, so I want them to potty and back inside the house.

So, me an Lulu are on the patio. I am still standing at the edge, watching Cuddles poop, she is about 15 feet away from me. I turn to my left to see where Lulu is on the patio. As I am turning, I look down right in front of me, less than 3 feet away from me on the grass (I am about 3 feet up on the patio), hugging the patio (I guessing stalking), is a HUGE FOX

OMG - For that split second as I am preparing to scream, I am thinking "OMG there's a Coyote in my Backyard", "No, wait it is a Fox", "OMG, it is skinny, maybe it is rabid".....

So now the half-ass scream comes out of me...TJ and Roxy are upstairs inside, but the windows are open, so they start barking, as I am running down the patio, onto the grass at Cuddles, SCREAMING her name to scare her to STAY PUT. I grab her, look for the Fox, still thinking it was a Rabid Coyote. It is at the other side of the yard trying to get out. I am screaming, crying, running back to the patio. Lulu is on the floor under the patio dinning table. I have instant headache and crying, OMG, OMG, screaming there's a fox in the yard...

Now I am trying to get her without making her run out on the side of the patio where the fox is. So I go to that side of the patio, the fox is out and ran into the neighbors yard. I grab Lulu and we run inside....

My heart is still in my stomach, I have acid reflux in my throat and my hands are shaking....It has been 3 hours now, and I am still in major shock

OMG ~ OMG ~ OMG

At night I put their harness and leash on to do potty, but from now on, it will be that way in the mornings too...

Terrifying experience....

PLEASE, PLEASE let this be a lessoned learned for others, as well as ME

[LilMissy]

Scareyyyy, so glad all your babies are OK.

[nana911]

Originally Posted by lisaxmichelle

So glad to hear everyone is ok!!! Take this a reminder of how to stay safe! Just this past week, not too far from where I lived, two young children in separate cases were attacked by coyotes! It seems that these animals are becoming less fearful of humans and it's a scary thought..

The more we infringe on their territory/hunting ground the more these things will happen. They are running out of room. As are we. As long as 30yrs ago in Southern California, when we lived in the hills, in newer housing built in what was coyote and mountain lion territory, coyotes were taking our cats/dogs and threatening small children. I'm not saying it isn't horrible, human life is obviously more important. I'm just saying that there is a reason for it.

[PANAMA69]

So scary, I also glad that everyone is ok, hugs

[alisonJ]

Good job protecting those babies! I am glad it turned out fine.

Not that I am on the fox's side, but it is kind of wonderful that you live where there is wildlife like this. Those photos of the foxes are beautiful! I guess you just need to take some extra precautions because of the proximity to wildlife.

FWIW, wildlife is everywhere. We live RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN next to the University, and I have seen coyotes and javalinas in our neighborhood.