Coyote Mummy, by Lisa Febre

: “do not mourn that he has died; take delight in that he once lived” — said by me

I wanted to share with you more photos of the coyote carcass.

It was laying right in the middle of our usual path… and the dogs went straight to it, sniffing every part. Dusty (tan/green) started to roll on the bones, and Luna (grey/blue) went for it while I was dealing with him!!

I spent a little time with the bones, and the dogs stood by me and observed. I touched the teeth, held its paw, and wondered why it was put in my path.

Dusty was the one who was (likely nipped) investigated by the coyote during our close encounter in July.

For size reference, my dogs are about 28 pounds. Having seen them right up against a living coyote, they were about the same size, a little stockier but seemed comparable. I know these bones have deteriorated a bit, but I would say this was a young coyote close to 20 pounds?

Anyway! A memorable and powerful encounter. I guess this is pretty special, not everyone gets to see something like this. And, I just feel like these last few months have been filled with more coyotes than I deserve.

Funny story: last summer, it was all snakes, all the time. I literally saw about 2 dozen rattlesnakes, gopher snakes, California kings, racers… more than pretty much anyone I know (including our park ranger when I told him about it at our training session last winter). And then this year, I have seen zero snakes.

I have several tattoos and I’m thinking my next will be of a coyote. Question is where and what…

4 Comments (+add yours?)

Jo Thompson
Nov 10, 2020 @ 14:01:24

Bless you for the reverence you showed.

- Lisa Febre
  Nov 11, 2020 @ 01:32:35
  
  Thank you Jo. It was truly a transcendent experience — words do it no justice. I just count myself insanely lucky and wonder what I did to deserve this gift.
Hilary Cole
Nov 14, 2020 @ 02:32:11

Hi Janet,

Wonder what happened to her? Was she deliberately killed? Must make you feel sad to see….

Hilary 😊🦋

- yipps:janetkessler
  Nov 14, 2020 @ 04:20:22
  
  Hi Hilary — Yes, I, too, wondered if the animal might have been killed at the brutal hands of humans. Somehow, I wouldn’t think so — this is in the Los Angeles area, where, if it had been killed by a human, it would have been removed. But we don’t know for sure. Ultimately, death is not pretty and it’s not easy. It’s the last and possibly the most painful, difficult and scary part of life, whatever way it happens: at the hands of a predator such as a mountain lion, or disease, or starvation, or old age. It’s the price we must all pay for life itself. I think the photos and post inspire reflection — at least I hope so.