You know those stories of people out camping away from the rest humanity? The same people who live in cities or already in the woods but want to just 'get away from it all' for a couple of weeks or even a couple of months to unwind, to relax, go fishing, recharge?
The same people who then come back telling of what they saw, heard, or experienced while out in those woods?
Like seeing this big deer or moose or bobcat or how big the fish was or a turkey or a snake?
Maybe they even saw Bigfoot or a werewolf or even a Dogman?
Well, I wasn't one of them people. I mean I've gone camping, gone fishing, got away from other people etc.
I've read and watched those books and shows on monsters like Bigfoot, Moth man, werewolves, vampires, Dogmen, what have you. But I never thought I'd be one of them people who saw them, I found the creatures interesting and was intrigued by the stories and what those people experienced but was also a bit skeptical about it too.
But of all those stories and books, none of them could explain what happened to me.
This is my story of my encounter with a Dogman.
---
I live in an isolated log cabin up in the mountains of Montana. It was a one bedroom, one bath cabin. The bedroom was upstairs while everything else was downstairs. It was a bit of an A frame with beautiful views of the mountains and woods surrounding it.
There was a lake not even a half a mile from the cabin where I had been fishing earlier that day. I mostly catch and release the fish I catch. It was more fun that way for me.
I had bought this place once I had saved up enough after starting my dream job in IT work and moved out of my mom's place, that was how I was able to save up for this piece of heaven and after a while I was able to save up to get me a horse; her shelter is one of those big shed buildings that look like a barn, plenty of room for her.
And although I love working with computers, the people are a different story.
So here I am, away from people and in nature. I grew up around the woods and felt more at home in places like this than out in the city.
I have power, I have water, I have internet, but no landline, a cellphone and a laptop that stays off during the day because I'm either outside most of the day.
I don't hunt, but I do have own a handgun and a rifle along with a knife. There are bears, bobcats, mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, and wild hogs up here and they are dangerous if they feel threatened.
When I'm out fishing or going hiking for short distances, I take both my handgun and knife with me. My rifle is locked up in the cabin.
The first sighting I had of this creature was a day like any other. I had gone on a hike on one the trails near my home, it was a short one, one I could make on foot, the longer trails or going into town that was several miles away I would take my horse.
I had stayed a little longer than I intended, so it was getting dark, but I could still see as it was a full moon that night and this was the kind of full moon that shone so bright you wouldn't need a flashlight.
So, I wasn't afraid. The only thing that really scares me are snakes. And I wasn't concerned, the crickets, frogs, all the nighttime insects were making their nightly noises, and I knew growing up in and around the woods that as long as these insects, frogs, and animals were out and about and making noise, there was nothing to be afraid of.
It's when they stop and everything goes silent and still that you need to be careful, cautious, and on alert because there is something out there that's a threat and those animals and insects and sense it. That's why they go quiet, they don't want it to get them.
I was about halfway back to my cabin when I noticed that the night animals and insects had stopped making sounds.
It was about dusk now, I could still see some of the sunset that was still going down, the stars were out, it was a clear night, nothing to obscure my vision.
Stopped as well and listened for anything that would tell me what could be around. I heard nothing, my hand went to my gun on my hip as I made my way further down the trail, watching and listening as I go. I do this calmly so that whatever it is doesn't see me as prey.
I was now almost at the end of the trail; my cabin would've been within running distance that I could make it if I felt like I needed to run.
That was when I heard a snap of a twig,
SNAP!
I stop. That was little too close. I slowly turn to where I heard the snap, it wasn't behind me, it was off to my left. Maybe 5-15 feet away. I don't see anything at first, but I keep scanning the area near where I believed I heard the snap.
Something catches my eye, a black shadow, next to a tree. I've walked this trail countless times over the years that I've been here and know it and the trees well.
That was new and didn't belong there.
So, I slowly reached into my pocket with my freehand and pull out my flashlight, it's not a cheap or dim light. When it's dark out I want to see where I'm going without straining my eyes.
I raise it up and turn it on.
What I saw had me peeing in my pants.
I had heard enough stories to have an idea of what I was looking at. But I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing it.
It's eyes reflect back in the light, it's not like of the animals I've seen before or here. They were unnaturally red, and the pupil was still within the shine.
It's fur wasn't black, it was dark brown, dull. It's muzzle was like that of a German Shepards, it was muscular from it's neck down. I could see that it was male from the muscles.
I couldn't tell how tall it was, maybe almost 7ft.
It wasn't baring it's teeth at me, it wasn't hunched over like it was about to attack, it was just standing there next to the tree and watching me.
I keep the light on it as I move further down the trail to get to my cabin. I had to get to my rifle. I didn't think my handgun was powerful enough to stop this beast, and I know my knife wouldn't have done me any good either.
It keeps watching me, moving around the tree to keep it's eyes on me, but it doesn't try to follow me, it may have been because I knew it was there now.
I get to the end of the trail, keeping the creature in my sights until I'm clear of the woods and then book it to my cabin, lock the door, run across the room and open my gun cabinet to get my rifle, I take the safety off and check the windows and the back door to make sure those are still locked.
I turn off the lights so that I can see out and hopefully the creature cannot see in.
I spent most of that night up with my rifle in my hands, ready in case the creature decided to force itself into my home.
But nothing happened, it was just quiet the rest of the night and I was left with the realization that I had just seen.
It was a Dogman.