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Their licking their lips lol

Jackels around here, plenty ferrel cats hiding in bins to make one jump and curse.

I'd be more worried about being attacked by a pack of street dogs - I've still got the scars on my leg from one close encounter about 15 years ago. I'd be absolutely delighted to see a wolf around here (and was green with envy at the lucky s@d who bumped into a bear on the trail behind our house) but have to content myself with nocturnal visits from the foxes hoping I've topped up the dishes of dog biscuits I leave out for them. Wolves here are very unlikely to attack people, they much prefer sheep.

For nocturnal strolls, in the woods or downtown, I'm usually sporting a walking stick in case I bump into any aggressive creatures if whatever sort: I recommend the Cold Steel 1911* pistol grip cane - it comes in two models, the cheaper chunky solid metal version or the more expensive one with a rather impressive blade inside (the scabbard portion is also pretty weighty and a useful deterrent in its own right 😎) It's around 200 leva at any decent gun shop or online (eg arms.bg)

*Don't let the name and advertising fool you, it isn't compatible with "every" 1911 pistol grip but the one it comes with is fine.

@JimJ - Thanks for the heads up will have to check them out. Can imagine ferral dogs dogs in a pack to be unnerving. I was savaged by a neighbors German Shepard a couple years back and that wasn't the best experience, can only imagine a pack of 4-5 the damage they could do.

Don't think I could bring myself to ever hurt any animal, but a good scare with a loud noise and body language would be very useful.

Being from the city most my life, been a bit shocked at what the wilderness offers here in BG. Will be more mindful on future trips.

@mickyg "licking their lips" 🤣🤣🤣

Had a shock that's for sure. I checked the grass area and treeline this morning. Took a video where you can clearly see the grassy area where there's rat and mouse holes, huge footprints and a clar trail from the grass to the trees.

After closer inspection I've come to the conclusion that with this house being empty for 30 years and the one at the back, this must be part of their hunting territory and their route back to the open wilderness just 1 lane away.

I thought there were 2 wolves, but now I think it must have been a solo male, stealthy 200 meters in a few second silently.

The wolf was probably just as shocked to see me as I was to see him/her.

Wanted all my life since being 7 years old to see a real wolf in a wild environment. Never in a million years expected it to happen like it did and be such a harrowing experience.

Wow! Seriously scary but also amazing! A good example of "be careful what you wish for, you might get it!"

I suspect it would be unlikely for a wolf to attack unless it was cornered and threatened, but yes, carry a stick and something loud. I'm guessing as with bears, pepper spray as a last resort if they did attack. Probably once you're there full-time and your scent is everywhere (pee all around the perimeter) they'll change their route. Younger male urine works better than female for this, more testosterone that predators can scent and be scared off by, so you have an advantage there!

Jim, I'm not sure whether to tell hubby or keep schtum about that impressive sounding sword stick! He'll almost certainly want one.

Talking of wolves, if you're into the "seriously butch fashion look" you could try wearing some throat protection along these lines:

You can buy them in Turkey or in the shepherds' shops in Northern Greece, especially Ioannina. The Greek ones are even fiercer - despite keeping Karakachans and similar breeds of dogs to guard the flocks, attacks by packs of wolves are far from unheard-of!