Bear Encounter of the Worst Kind
By suziecat7
@suziecat7 (3350)
Asheville, North Carolina
April 24, 2017 5:18pm CST
A few days ago my rowdy dog, Sweetie, was barking at the door wanting to go out. She has an enclosed area to romp which includes a deck, a covered porch and a small yard. It's her domain. So when she wants out, we let her out. No problem.
Except this time when I opened the door, a huge black bear was standing there. Yikes. He had climbed the fence to get at the bird feeders (which were ripped to shreds) and was just hanging around. Sweetie was a raving maniac. She kept barking and circling the gigantic creature and it looked ready to swipe at her. Oh my God!
We were terrified for the dog and our instinct just kicked in. We started screaming and waving our arms and clapping and finally the perturbed bear turned around and climbed back over the fence making its way up the mountain. I think we all almost pooped ourselves.
Bears are plentiful here in the mountains but this was an up close and personal encounter. One I don't want to repeat. No more bird feeders or squirrel food. The little guys will have to fend for themselves.
14 people like this
14 responses
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
25 Apr 17
They have a right to be here but not too close. Unfortunately humans keep encroaching on their turf so we see more of them at the lower elevations.
2 people like this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
18 May 17
She certainly wasn't helping herself by barking like a maniac.
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
18 May 17
@Nawsheen - And protect us, I suppose.
1 person likes this
@Nawsheen (28643)
• Mauritius
18 May 17
@suziecat7 but poor thing she was trying to defend herself maybe
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
27 Apr 17
I think I would have a problem holding it is myself if I ever came close to a bear and it wasn't at the zoo behind a fence. Glad you were able to scare him or her off.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (104150)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
25 Apr 17
I know if I saw a bear in my backyard I know my life would flash before my eyes. You know the saying "There are no atheists in fox holes or sporting events."
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
25 Apr 17
It's a good saying. It was pretty frightening.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (104150)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
25 Apr 17
@suziecat7 I think I read that saying from Mad magazine or other sources.
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
18 May 17
Yeah - the bear wondered who the crazy people were. I just copy and paste it here.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
24 Apr 17
Thank God your Sweetie is okay! That bear could have lost his temper and hurt her. Good for you, keeping your heads and doing the right thing. 
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
24 Apr 17
We weren't sure what to do but screaming seemed appropriate at the time :))
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16788)
• China
25 Apr 17
That was a near thing ! I dread to think what would happen if you didn't drive the bear away.Has there been a time when a bear attacked people over there?
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
18 May 17
There are rarely bear attacks. Mostly they just raid trash cans and bird feeders. If they do attack it's because someone is messing with their cubs.
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
18 May 17
The squirrel keeps looking at me like "where's the beef" but he'll be okay until winter.
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
25 Apr 17
We have only had one near our home over the years and will be fine with never seeing one again @suziecat7
It's a good thing you did what you did!
1 person likes this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
18 May 17
Actually Sweetie was out circling the bear. Scary.
