Stalking the Stalker

As each and every day begins, I find myself wandering the neighborhood just before dawn behind the leash of one Jean Claude Paw Paws Moreau. More commonly known as just PawPaws.

This particular morning was typical and I went along absentmindedly while I played the day's upcoming marquee in my head. I was snapped to consciousness when I realized the coyote, that we used to enjoy seeing, was now our predator! I realized that he was following us just a few yards behind. When I turned to look, he would hunker down as if to hide! As we went on, he continued behind with this hunkering attitude. Now I am alarmed. My practical brain reminds me that the coyote must weigh 40 or so pounds, while Paws is a burley 110 and the "wild-a-beast" is no match. But my reasoning decided that the coyote did not care. And so we ducked in to a neighborhood, hoping the concrete would be enough of a barrier. Well, that Wiley coyote came to the very edge of the neighborhood and sat on the corner, upright and proud, daring us to come by. Needless to say, we were trapped. I grabbed a stick as if........ it made me feel better. During this entire supposed confrontation, Paws is oblivious as he has things to smell. We are saved by the sun, joggers, golf carts and the world waking up that sends the coyote back to wherever it is that he shrinks alway to.

So I began my day today, sans Paw Paws, at 5:30 AM with my camera. I am going to stalk this curious beast until I get to shoot him. He is so bold. And I am relentless. So we are playing an apparent chess game this coyote and I.