My grandfather owns a farm about 30 miles north of Scranton, Pennsylvania. My grandparents owned many dogs throughout their lives, and my grandfather would often tell hunting stories about deer or bears that he'd hunt and bring his most favorite dogs along.
The story I'm about to tell has to do with the hunting dog-in-training named Joe. This story was even published once in a local magazine around Halloween, but the author got a lot of the details wrong, so I'm here to set the record straight:
Joe was a German shepherd that my grandfather was trying to train to be a hunter, but he was too wild at times and would often tear after the prey before my grandfather gave the ok, and would ignore being called back. That all changed one night, however.
It was a damp and bitter November night around 1972. My grandfather was hunting deer late into the evening and he had brought Joe and his other dog, Sampson, along. They were deep into a pine wood when Sampson began whining and cowering. My grandfather noticed this strange behavior, but Joe seemed fine, so they continued on.
About five minutes later, a putrid stench seemed to fill the air. He described it as like human waste, a rotting carcass, and garbage all rolled into one. That's when Joe began to react. He flattened back his ears and growled at something back in the darkness. Sampson, too, began to growl.
My grandfather had his spotlight with him and he shined it in the direction the dogs were barking. The next thing he saw gave him the chills.
Two gleaming red eyes reflected back at him from an enormous black shadow about 40 yards away. He recalled the shadow being at least 8 feet tall. And he was certain that whatever this beast was, it was what was giving off the horrible odor.
My grandfather immediately grabbed hold of Sampson's collar, but he wasn't quick enough to grab Joe's and the dog tore after the creature. The beast backed away slowly and retreated into the blackness, seemingly unalarmed. Fearful for Joe's safety, my grandfather strained his ears. He listened to Joe's barks and howls for some time when they began to fade and my grandfather turned to leave. He feared the worst, but did not want to be in those creepy woods with a strange creature on the loose anymore.
When he arrived home, he told the family what happened with Joe and the creature. Although he thought it a crazy story, with his family's urges, he made a report about the creature to the police.
The next day, they were in for a shock when his son, Paul (my uncle), came home carrying Joe in his arms. He said he saw Joe on the side of the road when he was driving into town. He thought Joe was dead at first, since he was just lying there, but he wasn't, just very, very frightened. Joe continued to cower and walk around with his tail between his legs, fearful of everything and anything.
The family was stumped. What kind of creature could possibly scare a youthful and hyperactive young dog to the point in which it was terrified of everything? In relation to this, apparently my grandfather wasn't the only witness to this creature. Nine other reports were made to the police about it.
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The story I'm about to tell has to do with the hunting dog-in-training named Joe. This story was even published once in a local magazine around Halloween, but the author got a lot of the details wrong, so I'm here to set the record straight:
Joe was a German shepherd that my grandfather was trying to train to be a hunter, but he was too wild at times and would often tear after the prey before my grandfather gave the ok, and would ignore being called back. That all changed one night, however.
It was a damp and bitter November night around 1972. My grandfather was hunting deer late into the evening and he had brought Joe and his other dog, Sampson, along. They were deep into a pine wood when Sampson began whining and cowering. My grandfather noticed this strange behavior, but Joe seemed fine, so they continued on.
About five minutes later, a putrid stench seemed to fill the air. He described it as like human waste, a rotting carcass, and garbage all rolled into one. That's when Joe began to react. He flattened back his ears and growled at something back in the darkness. Sampson, too, began to growl.
My grandfather had his spotlight with him and he shined it in the direction the dogs were barking. The next thing he saw gave him the chills.
Two gleaming red eyes reflected back at him from an enormous black shadow about 40 yards away. He recalled the shadow being at least 8 feet tall. And he was certain that whatever this beast was, it was what was giving off the horrible odor.
My grandfather immediately grabbed hold of Sampson's collar, but he wasn't quick enough to grab Joe's and the dog tore after the creature. The beast backed away slowly and retreated into the blackness, seemingly unalarmed. Fearful for Joe's safety, my grandfather strained his ears. He listened to Joe's barks and howls for some time when they began to fade and my grandfather turned to leave. He feared the worst, but did not want to be in those creepy woods with a strange creature on the loose anymore.
When he arrived home, he told the family what happened with Joe and the creature. Although he thought it a crazy story, with his family's urges, he made a report about the creature to the police.
The next day, they were in for a shock when his son, Paul (my uncle), came home carrying Joe in his arms. He said he saw Joe on the side of the road when he was driving into town. He thought Joe was dead at first, since he was just lying there, but he wasn't, just very, very frightened. Joe continued to cower and walk around with his tail between his legs, fearful of everything and anything.
The family was stumped. What kind of creature could possibly scare a youthful and hyperactive young dog to the point in which it was terrified of everything? In relation to this, apparently my grandfather wasn't the only witness to this creature. Nine other reports were made to the police about it.
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