29 Comments
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Jaime Brandel's avatar

Oh, Susie!! You sent me this link some time ago, but I was still trying to catch up in my inbox to all the wonderful articles I had yet to read... and you know how I save yours. 😉 I finally read your harrowing tale. Oh my gosh, I had no idea how dangerous these creatures were! Thank goodness you froze! Thank goodness you did all the "so called" wrong things... I'm so glad he lost interest and went back into the wilds. Your wild boars are like our grizzly bears... to be deeply respected and perhaps, feared... just a little. I think I held my breath a few times as I read... Thank goodness this had a peaceful ending for you and for Wolfie! xoxo 🩵

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Bless you! I’d completely forgotten I’d even sent it! But yes, I believe your bears are much like our wild boar, They are the only creature I am cautious of, even the vipers who hide in my garden don’t scare me like the boar do. I was lucky to see the end of that day, it could have been so different…

Thank you for saving and reading, I am a lot more cautious of where and when I walk alone these days! 🙏🏽

Chloe Hope's avatar

I would put money on the fact that a silent understanding absolutely passed between you...

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Bless you for reading dear Chloe, the saddest part of this story which I left untold, was that this beautiful creature was shot by a hunter not a few days after my encounter. I saw his great grey body being dragged up the lane to the back of my home, without dignity or respect for his beautiful life, by three young men on a quad bike. My legs collapsed under me and I wept - I know he understood.

Chloe Hope's avatar

Oof, Susie. That landed like a blow. No wonder your legs collapsed beneath you. I'm sorry. To you, to him. Sorry on behalf of our bizarre species.

I'm glad that one of his final interactions he had was with you.

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

“Sorry on behalf of our bizarre species.” Me too Chloe, me too! 😔

Elske's avatar

I was holding my breath reading this...wow! And I am sure he understood what you were saying to him, he encountered a gentle soul.

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

I believe he did Elske, I believe he returned also just to make sure I understood. Sadly it was in vain though, too days later he was shot and killed by hunters… I recognised the scar on his face as I passed them dragging him back up the hill without any dignity at all behind their quad bikes… I cried. Perhaps this will be another story…

Elske's avatar

Oh no! You'll do him justice...

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

It feels like a duty!

JoAnna's avatar

Well, that was quite an adventure..!! 😳 But fabulously written, with slowly increasing suspense, ending in the relief of not getting hurt! Great storytelling: goosebumps..!! 👏🏼👏🏽

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Thank you for such kind words lovely, I honestly hope this is a one off tale, I’m not sure I’d live through the fear again to be so lucky as to come face to face with a boar with empathy! X

Sonya's avatar

A terrifying encounter that you were blessed to escape. Wild Boars are known for their aggressive disposition. I can't imagine coming into contact with one. A horrifying tale was brilliantly written, you're a natural born writer.

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

I am truly touched by your words of support darling... and truly grateful to have come face to face with a kind boar... even if it was only a fleeting kindness! Hoping it’s a one off for us both xxx

Doreen Frost~Folk Artist's avatar

Oh my word, that is terrifying. Thank goodness you were okay. I feel as though, when he returned he was telling you “go, or I will change my attitude”.

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

It could well have been that Doreen, I truly wasn’t about to hang around to find out though… one only has one lucky chance with these beasts and mine was well and truly passed!

Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

Goodness Suzie, that’s terrifying! But what a captivating story. I can feel my heart beating fast just from reading it. Glad you and wolfie returned home safe

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

It was probably the most terrified I’ve ever been in my life Emily, the feeling of helplessness and the not knowing the outcome was so overwhelming I thought I’d die of fright anyway.

It was definitely my lucky day and one I hope I never have to repeat!

I am delighted I managed to write the words well enough to make your heart beat felt, thank you so much for reading. X

Debs Stott's avatar

Oh my goodness. What an encounter. You must've been terrified, and I wonder how you had the strength to get home.

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

It was a very wobbly walk back home Debs, definitely not a moodle! X

darren harley's avatar

nicely written, Susie 🙏🏼

not boaring at all

glad you're ok

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

I’m glad you thought so... boaring simply wouldn’t do..!

Thank you Darren, I’m happy to have walked away unscathed - so many don’t here... 🫣

Rae Hadley's avatar

Electric suspense! Wow, what an encounter. I breathe relieve with you now. Stay wild and well friend xxx

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

I was very lucky Rae... whether through the boar being kind or my silent prayer I’ve no idea..? I would not be so lucky a second time though of that I am certain... and this is one wild adventure I’d rather not have to repeat..! Love and light and safe adventures to you xxx

Feasts and Fables's avatar

My goodness, I think I held my breath for the longest time. Brilliantly written. The contrast between the lightness of Summer and your 'escape' to the heavy tension of the 'encounter' plays out so atmospherically. What a terrifying experience, astonishingly recalled to sit in the memory bank of once-in-a-lifetime (eek, twice) moments. Fantastic writing. Get it into a nature writing competition!

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Jeepers I’m blushing with pride... thank you a thousand times over Barrie..! I truly hope it was a once in a lifetime adventure... I’m not sure I’d be so lucky a second time..!!

Feasts and Fables's avatar

I've only seen them at distance and they are BIG units ... menacing, but we forget sometimes that it is their turf and we are straying. You told the tale in a way that allowed us to stand - tremblingly - in your shoes. I meant to ask, was it your daughter you tagged into something recently. Her words are excellent too. Strong writing habit in your family!

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

I am quite content to see them from a distance since that day...! The need for the perfect photo has somewhat diminished in importance...

I will pass your words on to her, it is indeed my daughter who, despite terrible dyslexia, has written since she could hold a pen. It is a passion that runs very deeply within her. In us both...

My next, after this evening, 100 words will be 50/50 with her.

Feasts and Fables's avatar

Ah, that sounds like the perfect collaboration. I love to hear of excellent writers who are battling the debilitating effects of dyslexia and still getting their words out.