Scared both Max and I

[Julie and Max]

On the 23rd Max was crying to go outside at about 3 in the morning. Now usually he doesn't do that so late, but we figured he had to go. We have a very large backyard and it's pretty dark out there at night.  My husband had thought he heard a dog bark just before he let him out but  didn't think too much about it.

My husband let him out, and he ran half way down the yard, and suddenly all this yipping started, and Max had run to the back fence. Now I consider myself very lucky because so far Max doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body, and all he wants to is play with other dogs. My husband called him, but he would not come back to the door, and the yipping was louder and now there was howling too. Now I was scared, even though I knew nothing could get in our yard through the six foot privacy fence it was just a lot of noise.

My husband put on his boots and coat and went out to get Max. When he got to the fence and peered through, there were three coyotes standing at my fence, yipping and howling at Max. I was standing at the door, but that really freaked me out.  

We live in the city but our house backs onto a nature trail pretty much and I have always known that there were coyotes living on the other side of the trail but never thought too much about them. I walk on the trail, but I always go before dark and I've never seen a coyote.

The next day we went for our walk on the trail and there had been a new snowfall the night before. I could see three sets of paw print tracks and no people tracks, and Max kept looking around like he was nervous which is unlike him. 

The next night he didn't even really want to go outside once it was dark and I had to go out with him, I guess he had figured out that those other "doggies" weren't friendly?

Anyhow, after our close encounter with the coyotes I went and read a lot about them, but hopefully we won't encounter anymore.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Scary. Coyotes have killed little dogs right here in suburban NJ.

[Lynda Kamrath]

We have wildlife around here also and more so since they put in the road construction and cut out a large natural area.  Our neighbors have lost chickens, ducks, and geese to something that is brave enough to even come into the chicken coops.  Something (I suspect a raccoon or possum) has been coming onto our back deck and drinking the dog's water.  There is never food left out.  I don't think coyotes could get into the back yard, but smaller animals can.  You just have to be watchful and aware.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh Julie - how scary!  I know coyotes have been a big problem in the city.  One of my office mates lost her dog last year to a coyote - she was out in the Blackwell area.  Keep an eye on sweet Max and maybe keep him on leash after dark.  When we are at the cottage we go outside with Gavin after nightfall due to all the wildlife.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Scary!  We have big flood lights that we switch on when he goes out for his last "pee" at night.  He does not go far-especially when it's cold.  Coyotes are getting more and more acclimated to suburban areas.  it's scary.  

Glad Max was not harmed! 

[Julie and Max]

Stella that makes sense and very smart of you to leash them at night.

Jane, I have sliding glass doors in the back, and it's cold here in Canada, so at night I usually stand at the door with the doors open and watch from there, he usually just goes out and does his business. I really must find out about them climbing fences. 

Lonnie I hope they never come back too. 

Pat I know right, I guess I didn't expect to see them right up near my yard.

Cheryl I think I'd rather deal with coyotes than alligators and panthers!

[cheryl & oliver]

sorry for the poor spelling, I typed too fast, lol, but I am sure u can get the gist of what I was saying, lol

[cheryl & oliver]

wow thaqt would scae me too...we are in florida and I am alwys afrraid of alligastors, although I hqave never encountered one personally, we know they are around. we live in a golf community, and people have seen them on the golf courses.  I have never seen them, my house backs on to one of the courses, but they say they have been seen near the water areas on the courses...they don't bother anyone, so they say, they like to sun themselves.  Of course no one would go and chase a lost ball near them.  When we first moved here, where we lived was pretty new, and the night they layed down the decking for our pool, we saw in the morning these huge paw prints. The workmen were all excited, they tolod us that they were Florida Panther tracks, they were cool, so we left them in the cement of the decking..We never saw the panther, but we know that they were there..It is scary, but they were here before we were, so after 30 yrs living down here, and with the area so built up, sightings are rare, but they are out there.  I still am very cautious at night, infact I am much hapoier if my husband does the night walks...

[Pat and Traveler]

Scary!  We've seen an occasional coyote around here--Portland, in the city--and I should pay more attention when I let Trav out at night.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Wow, how scary and so happy they could not get to Max!  Hopefully they will NOT be back, but I would keep a close watch on things for awhile!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wow...that would definitely freak me out.  I think for peace of mind I'd have to be out in the yard with him.