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I Survived Putting Keys in the Lock Box!

By Dinah Lee Griffey

Managing Real Estate Broker with Windermere Peninsula Properties

August 09, 2009 04:29 AM

I survived putting keys in the lock box! Yesterday I headed out to gated acreage I had listed to put keys in the box. Careful not to let anyone else in I locked the gate securely behind me and headed to the little cabin to make sure the key turned the lock.

As I crossed and open field I heard a thud in the woods about 5 feet away,and then wrestling in the bushes and another whumping thud.

I was curious and was excited to see what large animal would make such a noise (stupid). It was then that my husband who always travels with me when I go out in the boonies noticed the large cat (cougar?) He had just made his way onto a stump to spy on us.

The moral of the story is do not be dumb and curious as I was. Watch out when you show or list vacant land. I was always concerned about people I did not know, and never thought to watch out for hungry animals.

We both walked backwards for what felt like miles (a couple hundred yards) & got in the car relieved. I am not traveling without my gun again. Does this mean I get a new Purse to fit it?

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Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Lucky you were alert enough not to panic and run.

Aug 09, 2009 04:37 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Dinah,

We have cougars around here too, only a few miles away from my house. On the other hand, I have never even thought that one might be lurking when I am out in the woods. But they mnight be.

Aug 09, 2009 04:39 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Dinah Lee, I'm glad you don't travel alone in the boonies. Cougars are showing up in more and more of our areas so be careful...

Aug 09, 2009 04:45 AM

Dinah Lee Griffey

Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA

Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

Paul, It was on the south end of the Island. I wrote this for you. It really scared me. Actually I was more upset when I got home than when I was at the property. It is funny how you start to remember all of the things you were taught as a kid. My Dad was a forest ranger for a while and he always told me to make myself as big as possible, don't run and don't show fear. You should have seen us walking backwards for no apparent reason, (as the cat was mostly hidden) with our arms stretched out and trying to make it over the rolling blackberry vined terrain. Enough fun for one day to be certain!-Dinah

Aug 09, 2009 04:51 AM

Candice A. Donofrio

Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ

928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I have some pretty remote land listed and when I go out there I have

weapon
husband

with me :)

We have similar critters up in our Black Mountains . . .

Aug 09, 2009 05:08 AM

Ann Allen Hoover

RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL

CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Yikes! I don't worry about cougars, but snakes are another story......

Aug 09, 2009 05:14 AM

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz

Las Vegas, NV

I have to agree with Candice on her comment, these two things are the best protection and be careful out there Dinah!

VB ;0)

Aug 09, 2009 05:21 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Dinah--Thank goodness your weren't alone & this story had a positive ending. Glad you are allright. Gun? Maybe. I like Candice viewpoint.

Aug 09, 2009 05:47 AM

Michael "Mike" Miller

EXIT REALTY SERVICES - Moon Township, PA

My service will move you! Help me, help you!

Similar to Candice's idea might be, Gun, Husband w/ Gun, Cougar in season, trophie.

Aug 09, 2009 06:10 AM

Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807

HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ

Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Dinah - About the most I would have to worry about is a scorpion or black widow spider. These may be small, but can also be deadly.

Aug 09, 2009 06:21 AM

My hubby would agree with Mike Miller--trophie!

Aug 09, 2009 06:53 AM

Steve Mattison

Canyon de Chelly National Mo, AZ

Vietnam Veteran

Cougars are not something to shoot with a pistol, you just make them mad, and you wouldn't like that!

Aug 09, 2009 09:45 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Dinah..I am not sure what kind of a gun you are talking about...just make sure you can handle it fast!

Aug 09, 2009 02:37 PM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Dinah, I think I will stick with the crawl space:)

Aug 09, 2009 02:48 PM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

That had to be scary --- we have bobcats here in Arizona that are around at times -- can be scary.

Aug 09, 2009 03:15 PM

Terry Miller

Miller Homes Group - Tyler, TX

Miller Homes Group and Tyler Apartment Locator

Be carefull. You never know when hanging out with mother nature.

Aug 10, 2009 01:44 AM

Leesa Finley

RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC

RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

I would have been scared out of my mind! Like you said, I always worry about strange people - now i have to worry about animals too!

Aug 10, 2009 02:43 AM

Michael Delp

Mortgage Pro - Telford, PA

It's a good thing that you didn't run, but remember, you don't have to outrun the cougar, just run faster than the person you are with! ;)

Aug 10, 2009 03:31 AM

Heather Chavez

Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID

Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Oh my gosh, Dinah. I would have thought only about meeting up with unsavory people, not about becoming a savory morsel for a wild animal. (I like Michael's comment above, too, LOL)

Aug 11, 2009 04:35 PM

Not a real person

San Diego, CA

I'd love to see a cougar, or any big cat, out in the wild. I'd have my camera ready. LOL

Aug 18, 2009 06:17 PM

I Survived Putting Keys in the Lock Box!

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