we’ve been seeing a lot of these warnings at trail heads where we’ve been hiking in california.

If you encounter a mountain lion do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to appear as large as possible.

If attacked, fight back.

while the warning is funny on many levels, it goes on to say that small children, like the ones accompanying us, are one of the mountain lions favorite targets. natalie, a mother lion in her own right, has been particularly conscious of the warnings.

so, i had to look at her twice when my wife came home after a run in the woods remarking of this crazy dog she heard bark. she surprised me again when she made the first realistic sound effect i have ever heard her make (she sangs “bang” imitating the sound of a gun).

i can only conclude from this exchange that mountain lions are a real threat when your children may be at risk, but if it comes to interfering with your morning run, they are sick and tortured dogs.