It was a warm August 3rd night and I decided to take my dog Bailey for a walk up to my favorite spot, the BOEC lake. As I was walking up my favorite trail that runs right under the snowflake chair lift I noticed moose tracks, nothing unusual. Moose are everywhere in Breckenridge. What I did not know at the time was that those were fresh tracks and there was an angry moose in the area.

The trail got a little windy and I came upon several lakes and a stream/small river to my right. The brush was thick and there were fresh red berries on the bushes, perfect moose habitat. Since it was getting late and I realized that there was a possibility of a moose in the area I decided to keep Bailey on a leash, a decision that would later save my life.

I was coming upon the last of the beaver ponds and still no sign of a moose. It was now about 9:30 and the sky was almost all dark, except for a little outline of blue. As I walked towards the pond I caught a glimpse of something brown out of the corner of my right eye. Before I even saw the moose I knew what it was.

I came literally an arms length away from an angry bull moose. I had no clue it was there and I was shocked. Immediatly I knew the moose was going to attack and my body went into instinct mode. I did everything I possibly could to prevent an attack by backing up, after I froze for a few seconds, and trying to get away.

The next thing I remember was being on the ground. I knew that something was not right but at the time did not know that I was being attacked by the moose, for there was no pain. I knew that the moose had attacked but for some reason it did not hit.

All I remember thinking was, "get to the trees, get to the trees." I scrambled up the hill but something was holding me back, the moose. I could not get away. Finally after several terrifying minutes I was able to escape the moose's rath and scramble behind a large tree. I remember thinking, "If the moose decides to attack the tree will not hold." The tree's trunks are not that large in diameter.

Finally the moose ran off, down the same trail that I was hiking up moments ago. Bailey was missing and I was clinging on to the tree for life. I did not know what to do. My cell phone was in my pocket and I remember thinking, "I need to call 911." I did not call 911 though, for I knew that a rescue that far up in the woods with an angry moose around would be extremely expensive for my family. Instead, I sent my dad a text that said, "Moose attacked, Bailey missing." A few minutes later I called my dad, who talked me into getting up and getting out of there. I was crying the entire time.

As I was walking home, I kept calling out for Bailey. There was no response. My dog never runs away and she always comes or responds to me when called. I was sure she was dead at that time and realized that I needed to get myself safe and someone would go back for Bailey. The thought of leaving my dead or injured dog did not affect me at the time. I know that it is bad saying that but I was only concerned about getting myself out when Bailey did not come to me.

It took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to get home. When I reached the door I saw a flash of golden fur and heard the sound of a collar running towards me. It was Bailey. Somehow she made it home and she was alive and not injured. The next thing I remember was falling to the pavement and tears streamed down my face as I wrapped my arms around my little golden. I remember saying to her, "How did you survive?" over and over. It was at that time that I realized how much I would have missed her and how lucky I was to have her back. It was truely a miracle that Bailey survived and was unharmed.

As for me, I was injured and needed medical attention. Because of my adrenolin rush I was not in pain but I could feel that stuff was not right with my body. I was breathing up flem that was in my lungs and I could feel fluid as a breath went in. I did need to get to help fast.

I recovered from my moose attack physically but mentally I am still a mess. I have only been up to the attack spot 3 times but every time I walk up that trail I cry and shake. I have a hard time walking around in Breckenridge at night and can no longer venture into the woods, in fear of a moose.

I have seen 2 moose since the attack and each time I freak out. I still enjoy seeing them but I am terrified of moose and I shake and sometimes cry. Hopefully I will be able to see a moose and not be afraid and I really hope that one day I am able to walk up the trail under the snowflake chair and go to the BOEC lake with no fear.

For those of you who live in moose country you probably already know the dangers of moose. Please be careful and aware of moose. It was a mistake that I was hiking at the wrong time of day. Dusk and Dawn are not good times to be out hiking. I know that they are the cooler times to hike and the best times to be out because the trails are not crowded with people. If you do hike during those times just be careful.

Aubrie Mindock