Years ago, William Morse saved a dog from being put to sleep at the pound.  Then on Tuesday his dog repaid the favor.  The mutt named Hoagie threw himself between the man and an attacking mountain lion at a Lake Elsinore campground in Cleveland National Forest.  The animals fought a ferocious battle that nearly killed the dog.

“He’s a hero, man.  I love him to death,” said Morse.  “Man’s best friend did prevail.”

“There’s no question the dog saved his life,” said Orange County sheriff’s spokesman Jim Amormino.

Morse was walking with his wife and dog when the mountain lion appeared from the forest and charged at the man.  The dog cut off the lion, and a nasty fight ensued.  Hoagie was rushed to a veterinary hospital and survived the four-hour surgery.  The couple was not injured.

Park rangers closed the campground and searched for the mountain lion late Tuesday.  Wildlife experts say there are only about five mountain lions in Orange County, and the odds of being attacked by a mountain lion are relatively small.

Story at L.A. Times

With all the grave problems facing President Obama, you’d think they didn’t exist with all the hype and excitement surrounding the first dog.  Now there are two new books that celebrate the Obama’s hunt and acquisition of their white house puppy.

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A few summers back when our dog Darby still had puppy in her, she found a new large playmate.  Each day a female deer would come up into our yard and just stand there waiting for Darby.  I half expected the deer to come knock on our door and ask, “Can Darby come out and play?”

Darby would run out to greet the deer and stop at a safe distance of about 20 feet.  After a brief showdown, Darby would begin to run around the deer in tightening circles, eventually leading the deer to chase Darby around the yard.  Some days this would last for 10 minutes or more until one or both of them ran out of gas.

This funny scene went on for weeks until one day the deer actually caught Darby and rolled her several times.  Darby let out a couple loud yelps and ran to my side.  She was shaken but not stirred, and otherwise seemed fine. 

However, Darby wouldn’t play with the deer after that incident.  I guess she realized the consequences of playing with someone ten times your size and just as quick.

Here’s a video of Darby and the deer playing:

(Reprinted here with permission)