Rio Rancho is known for its openness, its country feeling, its dirt roads and crazy terrain. But are you aware of the wild ones among us?

There was a sweet fastidious lady in my old neighborhood who kept her property meticulous. You could mark your calendar and set your watch by when she dragged her Hoover out the front door and vacuumed her lawn. I am not kidding. Actually, I considered doing this one time when I was vacuuming and got near the sliding glass door…humm, just over the door frame and, nah.

Or what about the butterfly net toting self-proclaimed quail rehabilitator. This babushka wearing well-meaning care taker scoops up baby quails that are left behind by unforeseen circumstances. She is convinced she can get them through rehab and back on the street clean and sober. I heard people have tried to explain to her that human interaction with wild baby animals only alienates them from their mothers, but she won’t hear anything of it.

And have you heard of the Halle-Bobs in California? There is a family of four who come outside everyday at the same time of day and strategically stand in the four corners of their front yard. They don protective eyewear (at least I think it is protective) and gaze up into the sky in unison. Can you picture that? I almost expect Dr. Spock to materialize in the center and invite them all for a ride on the comet. I am not making this stuff up.

But these wild characters are not of whom I speak today. No, today I am particularly talking about the four legged kind that have the run of the place; coyotes. Our family dog, Andy is a West Highland Terrier. Westies are known for the sociability. And being a terrier, has a mind of his own. At least that is what I like to say rather than describing him as not very well trained. His favorite pastime other than watching the cottontail bunnies roam freely in our yard, is escaping out an open door to freedom.

Early one morning last spring Andy shot out the front door when I opened it to get the paper. It was a school day and with trying to get myself and the kids ready, I had no time to go after him. Just before leaving for the first drop-off, I looked out my front window one more time. From my position I could see his ears and tell he was pacing back and forth. Thinking this was very odd for the social butterfly, I turned my gaze outward and standing ten feet from my door was not one but two coyote friends he had brought home.

Now coming from California, I have seen my share of those scrawny dingos. But these were either the biggest and healthiest coyotes I have ever seen or actual wolves. Do we have wolves in Rio Rancho? They looked like the ones you see on the picturesque postcards, they were beautiful!

I opened my door and screamed at them knowing this is how I would save my dog’s life. Reluctantly the beasts turned to leave sensing they were not going to get a taste of their new friend. What does Andy do? With the power of Mom standing behind him, he bulked up like the Incredible Hulk and darted after them in hopes of reconciliation! I told you they were a social breed.

I know coyotes will jump an eight foot wall. I know they attack smaller animals at any time of day. I know you should not leave a small dog or cat outside alone for any length of time. I know that if you see one, screaming is suppose to scare it away. But I also know that if your pet chooses to seek out their company and bring them back to your front door, you better have your camera ready!