I don't want to go for a walk anymore~ Coyote?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It has been awhile since Spud and I took a good long walk. We really needed to get out and pee on as many mailboxes as we could find in the three-mile walk.  So, we did.  Well, he did and he did a great job.

We were finishing the last mile when I saw a dog.  An unleashed German Shepard mix.  The stray dog's ears perked really tall and stopped. So did I. Spud was eyeing another mailbox and he was hoping I would loosen his leash again.  I yelled at the strange dog to go home and it turned around and took three steps in the other direction.  We played this game over and over and each time, he would come back even closer. At first, I thought, I was going to SAVE a stray dog. Yep. I will help him!!!!

This dog was so thin and upon further inspection I don't think he was a dog at all but a Coyote.  I looked around waiting for his pack. They had to be somewhere. I looked for my phone and found I forgot it on my desk.  I looked for the closets home, picked up two sticks, and yelled at these people that I needed help.  I asked them to call my husband, but he was outside working in the garage and never answered the phone. So, I tried to make it home since I had not seen the " dog" for awhile.

If this dog was a stray, it didn't act shy one bit. Cautious by not shy. As soon as I left the people's driveway, he was following us again.  It never gave up following me.  It would go in and out of houses, yards and down driveways, only to be trailing again. If I last saw him on the right, he would show up again on the left.

I know we have coyotes close by but I have not seen them out during the day and never on a walk. I have heard them a few times ( two winters ago) and they are in the state park two miles down the road.

So, all those with experience, help me. Have you ever had problems?  What do you do when you see one on a walk? What are my odds of having problems again?  Any coyotes have such dark brown coat?  There was some tan markings, and even some spots, but mostly a mud brown.   The coyotes I have seen look Tan, not brown. 

I really, no longer want to walk. Creepy  I was going to go today, but I just would not leave my block.  Sad

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

We have coyotes here also, and we do see them often, even just as we are driving down the road. We have come within sight of them while walking but we have been far enough for me to turn them around and go another way. It does seem that they are just watchful and more afraid of us than we are of them. But I sure wouldn't want to get close to one. That was scary Joanne. Maybe carrying some type of repellant will make you a bit more comfortable. If it was a stray dog, lets hope it does show up again so maybe it can be brought somewhere for help and food.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

We have coyotes here also, and we do see them often, even just as we are driving down the road. We have come within sight of them while walking but we have been far enough for me to turn them around and go another way. It does seem that they are just watchful and more afraid of us than we are of them. But I sure wouldn't want to get close to one. That was scary Joanne. Maybe carrying some type of repellant will make you a bit more comfortable. If it was a stray dog, lets hope it does show up again so maybe it a be brought somewhere for help and food.

[Christine & Camus]

Joanne, Your experience sounds scary. The park I take Camus to has a small canyon on one side and there are coyotes.  One evening one came out and grabbed a dachshund.  The owner chased the coyote and somehow got his dog back!  I was not there, nor should he have been since it was dark and late, which is when the coyotes will enter the park.  They are becoming somewhat socialized in that they do not have much fear of humans.  Your experience reminds me of a wolf in Alaska named Romeo.  He was a wild wolf that eventually started to play with dogs. 

The one you encountered may have been a mix, perhaps Coyote and Shepherd.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Those are 2 amazing stories.

[Charlotte and Bo]

The other thing to worry about is rabies.  It could be ,as pointed out, it is wandering around in broad daylight because it is hungry but maybe this coyote is sick.  I would be careful.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Just thinking about meeting a coyote gives me the heebie-jeebies!!!!!

[Bob Johnston]

carry a pocket full of mini meat balls with tramaol in the center. Toss 5 or 6 at it and a few mins later you can walk away safely while it takes a nice long nap.    :)     Spraying it with anything might make it pretty angry and im not sure that is a good thing.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

We don't have Coyote's here but I would definitely freak!!!!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

How frightening, Joanne.  We do have coyotes in our area, but I've never seen one.  Our problem is fox who have taken up residence and are incredibly daring....they don't seem to be afraid of humans at all.  I'm glad you made it home safely.  I would definitely carry something that would make a lot of noise...and always be sure you have your cell phone.

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

I'm in the Atlanta suburbs and we see them all the time but usually in the Spring/Summer.  They got bold this year and went into a few of the neighbors garages.  I guess they were looking for food.  I leave for work very early in the AM to beat the traffic and my lights will catch their eyes when I'm driving out.  Spooky and, as someone else mentioned, we usually get a notice of rabies not long after we start to see/hear them.  Like Karen, in build, they look like foxes to me.  I've never heard of them attacking people around here at least but cats and small dogs seem to be high on their wish list.  We have a 6 ft tall fence but I never leave the boys out alone.  I don't know how high coyotes can jump and don't want to find out. 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Joanne, That is scary! Up until a couple of years ago we did not have coyotes, now they are everywhere. They have been seen in the middle of the city and hanging out at the playground of a local school. I am always wary of coyotes when we are walking in the woods but so far we have not encountered one. I have dog spray for that reason but I rarely remember to take it but I do usually find a big stick to take along with me. I really hate not being at ease on our walks and it really takes much of the enjoyment out of what should be a happy relaxing time. I understand you not wanting to walk and I know I would feel the same.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I've thought about this one for a week. After looking through pages of coyotes, all were too pointy and too small.

Here he is.  Maybe someone did loose or let go a wolf hybrid. I know there are several families with wolf  hybrids near me. 

But this is what I saw.  About 60lbs, brown