Patch Reader Tells About Her Ironic Sighting of 'The Big Cat'

Not a lot of folks would walk away from a mountain lion or cougar sighting with a smile on their faces.

But Jeannene Blate did.

The North Canton Patch reader reported seeing a mountain lion or cougar in her yard in the past week. (She's not the only one, either. Chief Stephan Wilder last week after three people reported seeing a large cat in the area.)

Blate wrote in to North Canton Patch to share the story of her sighting — a humorous one, we might add.

Read on for a laugh.

As Steve (my husband), Michele (my daughter) and I had just finished dinner, I was reading them the article in the paper about (we were there when police, FBI, etc. were there) and then I read the article on the . 

At that time Coconut (our dog) was frantically wanting to go out. I laughingly said, "Coconut, go find an elephant.” I watched him go over to the steps, which lead to the wooded area on the hill. He usually is chasing a chipmunk so he is looking at the area eye level to himself.

Not this time.

He was looking up the hill and definitely not at the ground. So, being silly, I said, "I really should take my camera out to see the 'Big Cat.' I didn’t but did go out to see why the dog was so upset.

I walked over to Coconut, looked up, and oh my gosh there was the “Cat” staring right at both of us. He raised his paws and hissed at me and this grandma ran. If I had my camera, I would not have stayed long enough to take a picture. They usually are nocturnal but that area above us is only inhabited by wildlife. Every once in a while, we will hear children up there playing “cops and robbers." ... Boy, does that date me. 

The “Cat” is mangy looking, about the size of a smaller German Shepard, color grayish-brown. It is frightening looking. As I write this I am sitting at the dining room table facing the wooded area, camera ready to take a picture. I feel safe as I am behind the windows.

I did call the sheriff's department. I hesitated doing it but with Steve and Michele saying I did have an obligation to the people in our neighborhood, the call was made. A sheriff's deputy arrived and he was such a pleasant fun guy. He had his gun as he went up the hill. He came down empty handed and kept saying to me, "I really believe you, even if I personally did not see it.” He told me he thought he might have to make a sketch of the cat hissing at me. 

It is a good story. We had our laughs. But will I be going out watering flowers in the evening? Don’t think so. I will take my watch dog out with me whenever and I am sure he will alert me.