Oh Kenwood cougar,
whatever drove you to this city,
we hope it gave you peace.
Void of neurological disease,
seems unlikely you would visit.
Yet, these days are hard,
we will not fault you either way.
Your grace was caught, on an app
we humans call “Ring.”
No apparent harm was done
to pets or kids alike,
which gives us cause for relief
Did the porch pirates run in fright?
We imagine that they did.
For it gives us joy abound
to watch them flee from sin
the Big Dipper led you further west.
Then one last flash of light,
your fear so intense, saddens us;
we hope the end went quick.
Rest well, natural beauty
modern cougars don’t compare
Thank you Kenwood cougar
For visiting us that night
Alizabeth Peterson-Thompson | Kenwood
If Columbus realized he had not reached the Orient, or if The Little Prince landed on the wrong planet, they could not have been more disoriented than our Ken- wood Cougar, ardently searching for a mate amid acres of pavement and loud machines. Its brief flight stirred a few locals lucky enough to see its picture. But even that sent a pang of loss that still lingers in the neighborhood.
Harry Edelman | East Isles
The Lowry Hill cougar was out of place — dangerous and magical. Powerful in his stealth and most likely hungry. I walk this way early, with two small dogs, Barley and Oslo. It’s dark, sometimes I forget my glasses. We’ve come upon wild animals, deer, raccoons, bunnies — but the cougar was far different. I imagined him stalking us in the dark.
Then came the upsetting news that he was hit and killed. He was big in the imagination for a minute — then made small. The sadness I’ve felt seems out of proportion for the short time I was even aware of the wild creature in our midst.
Jeanne Bleu | Lowry Hill
I first heard about the "large cat" (was it a mountain lion?) on a Next door posting. When I saw that it was in the Lowry Hill neighborhood my ears and interest perked up. I then heard about it on the local news. And now finally in the Hill & Lake Press. Obviously this story was going viral quickly.
As a frequent biker in the Lowry Hill neighborhood I ride a lot on the city streets and also on the many abundant paths near our neighborhood. I've run across deer and the occasional raccoon. I'm often on the lookout for coyotes, which I also hear can be found in our urban landscape.
But I never dreamt that I could possibly run into a cougar! Very interesting but also a bit scary as well, not only for those of us who frequent places where animals can be found, but also for our climate that's changing so quickly that many species that you would never have heard of in the city are now starting to appear.
Carlos Eduarte | Lowry Hill
It was thrilling to learn that the elusive cougar had graced my backyard! His paw prints in the fresh snow were enormous and gave us a path to follow on his trip down Logan Avenue S. and through the neighborhood.
We all hoped that the DNR would help this magnificent animal reach a safer habitat. His death on I-394 was devastating news, but his ghost will remain in the neighborhood for a long time to come.
I am attaching a photo of my hand next to that huge paw print. It was taken on my back patio!
Thanks for covering the story.
Laurel Ulland | East Isles
