My "cottage" is on the backside of a 5 acre property in Normal Hts and has canyons- 2 local, 1 freeway- on 3 sides. The first week I lived here I woke up to the coyotes on my porch- at first didn't know what it was, but it was super creepy. They were checking out the new neighbors, probably seeing what new animals they could eat (I've got 6). I'd been warned by neighbors who told me the coyotes come up to eat all their chickens every so often, and get the occasional cat.

I had lost a cat right when I moved in, and sadly chalked it up to another coyote dinner. Surprisingly, several months later there was my cat sitting in my driveway- dirty, but fat and alive. How he has managed to live out there for so long is baffling (one other cats has made it several years outside 24-7 too). They live in trees and in crevices.

This whole property is unique and a little weird- secluded, past where the street ends (Copley ave @ E.Mountanview). It is all wild around the houses (no grass). Perfect coyote territory, and I hear them often.

Another cat of mine got lost, but later found out in the neighborhood (eventually she did run off again, and hasn't been back yet, so they may have gotten her in the end). So I sympathise with cat owners here. Letting them out makes me crazy, but keeping them in makes THEM crazy…

Anyway, just wanted to relay my (not funny like yours) SD coyotes stories. You would love my porch- it feels remote. Its super creepy to walk the dog at night- he won't go outside alone, I guess he knows what's lurking in the brush.

Who would've thought the city could be so much like wild kingdom???? And I won't even start on the lizards, snakes, hawks and other critters!