I stepped out back this morning to call in Dog for her breakfast. I'm a bit short sighted and I don't normally wear glasses for it.
Standing 100 feet away was a large black animal. Was it Dog? No, I knew that she was on the other side of the house. Was it another dog? The morning sun was bright and the black animal was facing me so I could not determine its shape. No, it had a huge humped back.
I whistled for Dog. As she came bounding round the house, she paused as she recognized the visitor. And then she went after it. As the transient turned to run down the hill towards the creek. It was a wild boar! I have seen boar in the coastal range but never here in the Sierra. I've heard rumors of their existence. But now I've seen one. This was a large and nimble animal. I was surprised to see its agility in navigating the brush as it scurried away with Dog in pursuit.
Dog will pursue and fight with the coyotes but for some reason, she chased the giant pig for only a hundred feet or so and then let it go. Dog patrolled her standard "protection zone" for a bit to make sure the stranger would not return and then came in for her breakfast.
What a wonderful sight! I love wildlife and now I can add another critter to the list of those who live in my neighborhood.
Cindi
