Some of you might remember the Moosehole story last year, and the odd dream leading up to it. I dreamed that I had a little Fox mocking me while I floundered in the water and drenched my camera at my chosen location. That morning as I was driving to the location I had a coyote (very similar to a fox) trotting along on the road ahead of me for quite a distance, and I took that as a sign to stay out of the water. What ended up happening, is not a wet camera, but a very close call with a moose instead (who are big mean bullies who will trample you for the hell of it) Luckily I got away unscathed, but it scarred me a bit and I got a little doggy companion to join me on my adventures and warn me of mooseholes in the future.
Well, this morning I was set to go on another sunrise shoot, and last night I dreamed of running into a grizzly bear in the brush at my chosen destination. Just like last time, I took that as an omen and went to a location that had no brush, it was a field right near two highways, ample room to spot a bear in time. As I was leaving the city, once again a coyote crossed my path, this one with a dead rabbit in its mouth, and though I remembered the last time that happened, I didn't pay much attention since clearly, I do not believe in superstitions (though my Native friend has suggested I may have found my spirit animal)
Long story short, I didn't get too many photos this morning, little Creepy-dog spotted another dog to play with and bolted, yanking the leash away from me. That big dog ran away from her for a bit, farther away from me, and before I knew it, there were four big dogs viciously attacking Creepy. I ran towards the dogs but with nothing to protect myself or stop them, I turned back, ran to the truck and grabbed my air horn. The horn did nothing to deter the dogs, so I sprinted back to my bag and then back to the truck, trying desperately to get my bear spray off it's hook. I couldn't (note to self, that system doesn't work in a panic) so I drove as close to the mauling dogs as I could and laid on my truck horn. That didn't stop them either, and I thought that would be the end of Creepy.
Somehow, she survived the mauling, broke loose and got back into my truck and we sped (oh, and how) on my horribly bald tires back to the city.
She's currently in surgery now, lots of bad bites and possibly some internal damage but the Surgeon has been called in and we're waiting for word back on how she does later this afternoon.
So, keep this little Bastard family in your thoughts today, none of us are doing too well at the moment.
And next time a coyote crosses my path on the way to a photo shoot, I think I'll just become superstitious no matter how stupid I may feel about it, turn around and go back to bed.