ā€œMy dog is my hero, and I owe her my life.”

My Latest Videos

The common adage is ā€œwho saved who?ā€ But after the events on May 16th that led to the death of Eva, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois who passed a month later, for Erin Wilson the answer was clear.Ā 

Back in May, Erin Wilson and her young dog Eva were taking a gentle hike near Northern California’s Trinity River when a mountain lion charged at Wilson, ā€œripping through her jacket and scratching her shoulderā€, Wilson toldĀ The Sacramento Bee.Ā 

“I yelled ‘Eva!’ and she came running,” Wilson said of her 55-pound dog, who was walking ahead of her off-leash at the time of the attack. “And she hit that cat really hard.ā€

After a quick dust-up, the mountain cat latched onto Eva’s skull at which point, Erin intervened punching and hitting the Cali lion with sticks and rocks, anything to get the animal to release its jaw. Still, the mountain lion refused to let go of Eva so Wilson ran to her car to grab a tire iron where she ran into good samaritan Sharon Houston. Together with a four-foot PVC pipe and pepper spray, Houston and Wilson attacked the mountain lion, who had pulled Eva off the trail. Once Houston sprayed the cat with pepper spray, it finally loosened its grip and ran away as Eva escaped to Wilson’s pickup truck.

“At first, I was like, ‘Wow, she’s OK,’ But when I looked at her closer, I realized she had a couple of puncture wounds on her face. And she just had a lot of blood coming out of her mouth.ā€

See also  Pit Bull Abandoned at Truck Stop, For 5 Months. Then This Happens...
Eva was a brave dog: GoFundMe

Wilson drove Eva to the closest emergency vet clinic, which was 90 minutes away. On the way, Eva experienced convulsions after suffering two fractures to her skull, a puncture in the sinus cavity, and severe swelling around her left eye. Initially vets were “optimistic” because of Eva’s young age and top shape and she did improve.

But on Wednesday June 8th, Eva succumbed to her injuries.

Wilson shared the heartbreaking news on theĀ GoFundMeĀ account created to assist with Eva’s medical expenses following the attack.Ā 

“We said goodbye at 9:20 this morning,” she added onĀ Instagram. “There were no changes to her condition overnight. Goodbye, my beautiful sweet girl. You are my world, my light, my best friend. The world is a much darker place.”Ā 

The California Mountain Lion is a proud symbol of California and, due to habitat destruction, an endangered and protected species. Regardless, with the human population only increasing, the risk of bumping into a mountain lion along the hiking trails crossing California is almost an absolute. Indeed LA mountain lion P22 has become a local celebrity due to frequent backyard sightings when the feline takes an excursion from their home in Griffith Park.

Cougars are to be protected too, but you don’t want to cross their path: Pexels

The close proximity and important role the mountain lion holds in nature means pet owners have to be extra vigilant for themselves and their pets when visiting the wilds of California. That Eva and the mountain lion tangled and Eva lost her life is an absolute tragedy. And yet, also beautiful it’s own sad way. Eva passed doing what she loved, watching after her human.

See also  Abandoned Pitbull Gets Second Chance at Happily Ever After in Amazing Turn of Events

Erin Wilson later shared that funds not used on Eva’s medical bills will go to “Malinois rescues, big cat rescues, and predator management groups.ā€

ā€œWe said goodbye,ā€ she wrote. ā€œWe love you Eva. You’re my whole world.ā€

Clothing for Dog Lovers

Keep Calm & Rescue A Dog

Easily Distracted by Dogs?

Kobe Inspire (he's my blind dog)

My Dog Is My Happy Place

Aloha Ciao Woof Hello

      Website TERMS & CONDITION

      ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATION ONLY – NOT VETERINARY CARE

      Kanaka Holdings operates an online information and opinion blog and is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Reading this website or using any of the information you expressly acknowledge and understand that there are risks and limitations associated with any advice, recipes, formulas, products given.

      The blog is NOT a substitute for veterinary care, advice, facts or opinions, and we cannot provide advice or consultation regarding such. If your pet is sick, injured, or in need of medical attention, please contact your regular veterinarian or local emergency animal hospital immediately.

      The contents of the Rocky Kanaka website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Site (“Content”) are for informational and entertainment purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site.

      READ AND USE OF THIS SITE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK

      ROCKY KANAKA / KANAKA HOLDINGS OR ITS EMPLOYEES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS, INJURY, CLAIM, LIABILITY, OR DAMAGE RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THIS SITE OR ANY SITE LINKED TO THIS SITE, WHETHER FROM ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE CONTENT OF OUR SITE OR ANY OTHER LINKED SITES, FROM THE SITE BEING DOWN, OR FROM ANY OTHER USE OF THIS SITE.