We had a BIG Black bear in our yard the other day!
I need to tell my side of the story before the other version hits the streets… We were in our new three season room enjoying a beautiful, sunny afternoon when, to my surprise, I looked out the window and there, not more than ten feet from the window was a huge Black Bear.
We live in the woods in a subdivision in Northern Michigan and have heard the recent stories of bears in the area. One was captured in downtown Traverse City and another was hit and killed just outside of town a few days later. So, it’s not like we didn’t think it could happen… But, in OUR YARD? There it was. Bigger than life and walking through our backyard toward the front.
That’s when my trouble began… I yelled, “LOOK AT THE BEAR!” and ran to get my camera. Big mistake. I didn’t realize the Grandkids were sleeping in the car in the driveway… with the windows open and surrounded by snacks! The women freaked out. Grandma called 911 and Mom ran to the front window to see if the bear was approaching the car. When I realized what was happening, I started out the front door to get myself between the Bear and the kids… to divert him. Honest! That was my plan.
The women’s initial response was, “Don’t go out there! The Bear is out there!” Then, realizing it might boil-down to either me or the kids being eaten, they relented and let me go out. The Bear was no where in sight. My yell had evidently spooked him and we found out later, he ran through the neighbor’s yard across the street and into the woods behind their house.
The 911 operator said there was nothing they would do unless the Bear was threatening or being a nuisance… and, next time, don’t call them. Call the Department of Natural Resources or Animal Control. I wonder what we’re supposed to do if the Bear is armed?
The cartoon is a result of the unjust criticism I got for my initial response to grab a camera instead of trying to save the kids. For days now I’ve been taking flak for my response. The mother of the children is afraid to walk in the area because “We don’t know where the Bear is…”. I suggested if she really wanted to know where the bear was all she had to do is smear some bacon grease on the kids, send them outside and wait. She’d soon know if there was a bear in the area… That response didn’t go over any better than my first one. What’s wrong with these women, anyway?