Creature
Maine’s mystery creature is back and this time he isn’t going anywhere. You remember the beast. It has been described as evil by everyone who spotted it in Wales, Leeds, Greene, Sabattus, Lewiston and Auburn. They say when it screams in the night, it will chill a person to the marrow. Horrified witnesses described long, curled fangs and eyes that glow like fire pits in hell. It has been blamed for the mauling deaths of a Doberman and many cats, and the shredding of a Rotweiller last year. Yet, startling as each appearance of the beast has been, it has also been fleeting — until now, nobody has so much as snapped a photograph. One woman made a crude sketch of it after spying the critter out in Greene but the drawing was thrown away.
Now there are photos of the mystery creature and a carcass to go with it. I have seen them myself, and I’ve got to tell you. Even dead, the image of this thing is unsettling. It looks like something that does not belong in the Maine woods.
On Tuesday, the photos will be available to me and I’ll write a full news report about this latest development. In the meantime, lock your doors and all of that happy crap. This sucker was a male and it seems likely he has a snarling wife and some teeth-gnashing offspring out there.
Earlier reports found here. And some photos by Michelle O’Donnell, the surviving witness to the horror.
The Screaming Room 
Linda said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:12 pm
You’re scaring me, mate! Eyes like fire pits in hell? I hope there are none of them under your bed — no dangling feet tonight if you know what’s good for you.
LaFlamme said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:20 pm
Ah, I’ve been tailing this beast since 2002. I’m like Quint from Jaws. About as smelly, too.
Linda said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:22 pm
Can’t wait to see the story!
LaFlamme said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:29 pm
Really cool couple out in Turner who alerted me to it.
Linda said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:34 pm
“Come on Chief, this isn’t no boy scout picnic. See ya’ got ya’ rubbers! “
LaFlamme said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:52 pm
“Fish like this, swallow you hole.”
LaFlamme said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:53 pm
Quint: Japanese submarine slammed two torpedoes into our side, chief. It was comin’ back, from the island of Tinian Delady, just delivered the bomb. The Hiroshima bomb. Eleven hundred men went into the water. Vessel went down in twelve minutes. Didn’t see the first shark for about a half an hour. Tiger. Thirteen footer. You know, you know that when you’re in the water, chief? You tell by lookin’ from the dorsal to the tail. Well, we didn’t know. `Cause our bomb mission had been so secret, no distress signal had been sent. Huh huh. They didn’t even list us overdue for a week. Very first light, chief. The sharks come cruisin’. So we formed ourselves into tight groups. You know it’s… kinda like `ol squares in battle like a, you see on a calendar, like the battle of Waterloo. And the idea was, the shark would go for nearest man and then he’d start poundin’ and hollerin’ and screamin’ and sometimes the shark would go away. Sometimes he wouldn’t go away. Sometimes that shark, he looks right into you. Right into your eyes. You know the thing about a shark, he’s got…lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eye. When he comes at ya, doesn’t seem to be livin’. Until he bites ya and those black eyes roll over white. And then, ah then you hear that terrible high pitch screamin’ and the ocean turns red and spite of all the poundin’ and the hollerin’ they all come in and rip you to pieces.
Y’know by the end of that first dawn, lost a hundred men! I don’t know how many sharks, maybe a thousand! I don’t know how many men, they averaged six an hour. On Thursday mornin’ chief, I bumped into a friend of mine, Herbie Robinson from Cleveland. Baseball player, bosom’s mate. I thought he was asleep, reached over to wake him up. Bobbed up and down in the water, just like a kinda top. Up ended. Well… he’d been bitten in half below the waist. Noon the fifth day, Mr. Hooper, a Lockheed Ventura saw us, he swung in low and he saw us. He’d a young pilot, a lot younger than Mr. Hooper, anyway he saw us and come in low. And three hours later a big fat PBY comes down and start to pick us up. You know that was the time I was most frightened? Waitin’ for my turn. I’ll never put on a lifejacket again. So, eleven hundred men went in the water, three hundred and sixteen men come out, the sharks took the rest, June the 29, 1945. Anyway, we delivered the bomb.
Linda said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:56 pm
That’s you right down to the ground, Mark. Are you going creature hunting, or just photo-and-carcass hunting? ‘Cause if there’s going to be any danger involved, make sure MT knows what files to delete, just in case.
LaFlamme said,
August 14, 2006 at 10:58 pm
A few years ago, when the creature sightings were hot, I went out night after night looking for this thing. Nuthin.
Anonymous said,
August 14, 2006 at 11:00 pm
You know how it goes — when you least expect it.
Mainetarr said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:16 am
I have seen the beast!!! I have seen the beast!!!! He was in my e-mail this morning. OMG!!! WHAT the HELL IS that thing? Half dog half bear? Them there animals been mix breeding in those there Maine woods? Wonder what the rest of the critters look like!
Mainetarr said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:24 am
By the way, Jaws is my all time favorite movie, ever!!
You all know me. You know how I earn a livin’. I’ll catch this bird for ya, but it ain’t gonna be easy. Bad fish! Not like goin’ down to the pond chasing bluegills or tommycats. This shark will swallow you whole. Shakin’. Tenderizin’. Down you go. Now we got to do it quick. That’ll bring back the tourists and it’ll put all your businesses on a payin’ basis. But it’s not gonna be pleasant. I value my neck a lot more than three thousand bucks, Chief. I’ll find him for three, but I’ll catch him and kill him for ten. You’ve got to make up your minds. Gonna stay alive and ante up? Or want to play it cheap, be on welfare the whole winter. I don’t want no volunteers. I don’t want no mates. There’s too many captains on this island. $10,000 dollars for me by myself. For that, you get the head, the tail, the whole damn thing.
Quint said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:28 am
Didn’t see the first shark for about half an hour – a tiger – thirteen footer. You know how you know that when you’re in the water, Chief? You tell by lookin’ from the dorsal to the tail. What we didn’t know was our bomb mission had been so secret, no distress signal had been sent. They didn’t even list us overdue for a week. Very first light, Chief, sharks come cruisin’. So we formed ourselves into tight groups…the idea was, the shark comes to the nearest man and he starts poundin’ and hollerin’ and screamin’. Sometimes the shark go away. Sometimes he wouldn’t go away. Sometimes that shark, he looks right into ya, right into your eyes. Y’know, the thing about a shark, he’s got lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eyes. When he comes after ya, he doesn’t seem to be livin’ until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white, and then – aww, then you hear that terrible high-pitch screamin’, the ocean turns red, and in spite of all the poundin’ and the hollerin’, they all come in and rip ya to pieces…in that first dawn, we lost a hundred men. I don’t know how many sharks, maybe a thousand. I don’t know how many men. They averaged six an hour…Noon the fifth day, Mr. Hooper, a Lockheed Ventura saw us. He swung in low and he saw us…and he come in low and three hours later, a big fat PBY [seaplane] comes down and start to pick us up. You know, that was the time I was most frightened – waitin’ for my turn. I’ll never put on a life jacket again. So, eleven hundred men went in the water, three hundred and sixteen men come out, and the sharks took the rest, June the 29th, 1945. Anyway, we delivered the bomb.
jarheaddoc said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:32 am
Ah, the diatribe by quint about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Historically accurate. Not the way I’d like to go.
The skipper of the USS Indianapolis was court-martialed for the sinking of his ship. He ended up comitting suicide years later. I think his name was eventually cleared of the charges.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:23 am
Mark, here’s a word for you: Cryptozoology.
“Cryptozoology is the study of animals that are rumored or suspected to exist, but for which conclusive proof is still missing; the term also includes the study of animals generally considered extinct, but which are still occasionally reported. Those who study or search for such animals are called cryptozoologists, while the hypothetical creatures involved are referred to by some as “cryptids”, a term coined by John Wall in 1983.”
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 8:24 am
jd, yes, the captain was vindicated. It was a 14-year-old boy who rather recently researched the USS Indianapolis for a school project who brought the whole debacle/injustice to light. The Japanese sub commander testified that even if the Indy had been tacking, it would still have been hit.
Just another example of the lies and incompetence that come from the US military. Or any military, for that matter.
jarheaddoc said,
August 15, 2006 at 8:52 am
I am in complete agreement with you, K2. Check this web site out.
http://www.militarycorruption.com
Bulldog said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:06 am
Military and JAWS as comments on this blog.
Connection maybe?
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:15 am
Oh, as for this Maine ‘creature’ I’m obviously not buying it. No way there’s some ‘new’ beast out there that hasn’t been empirically documented in the last 200+ years of Maine’s history. No way, no how.
The scariest creature in Maine, or on planet earth, is clearly man. No species indiscriminately kills or maims better than humans.
And my Vikings’ first round draft pick this year blew out his knee in the fist 4 minutes of last night’s preseason game versus Oakland. Thus my pissiness this morn. Fuck.
Gil said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:53 am
K2 is right again (scary isn’t it). Man is the most proficient killer and the military is full of corruption. Then again, the military is full of the best of the most proficient killers on Earth, and from where I stand, that is a good thing. The corruption, as is the case in most institutions, is in the top levels. The ordinary infantryman/sailor/grunt is mostly doing their job to keep this country safe. They actually believe in their duty and are honored to be a part of it. Any asshat who would have you believe differently because of the actions of a few power-hungry douchebags is dead wrong and should be called on it. My years in the military allowed me to see men at their worst and at their best. I discovered that given a group of men who believe in honor and duty, nothing can stop them from acheiving their goal. I have had the honor and privilege of serving with some of those “most proficient killers” and would not trade one of them for all of the Maine liberals. As a group they are upstanding young men doing a nasty job in bad circumstances, usually in a place that no one has ever heard of and garnering little, if any, recognition for it.
Forgive the tirade, I tend to get a little miffed when the military is dissed. And before you go off on me K2, I in no way meant this as a personal attack on what you or JD said. I will now go sulk in the corner.
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:02 am
No worries mate. I mostly agree with you. The grunts didn’t lie, regarding the USS Indianapolis, the brass did.
Still, there’re some bad grunts out there, like bad apples anyhere. Unfortunately, because our military’s recruitment is down, they are now letting in more people with criminal records, and kicking less soldiers out of Basic. They’ve diluted their standards, which ain’t a good thing.
And I don’t envy the soldiers in Iraq. I can’t even imagine the day-to-day horror they endure for a war that we never should have entered in the first place. I’ll leave you a sobering editorial by George Will:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/14/AR2006081401163.html
jarheaddoc said,
August 15, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Gil, for all the times you and I have disagreed, I take no affront whatsoever to what you wrote. I was one of those grunts because I served with the marines, so I hear what you’re saying. It’s the ones at the top who’re fucked up, not the guy on the ground. Many of the ones on the front line could care less about the whole geo-political bullshit, they just want to serve, and do it honorably, and will gladly die so that their buddy can go home. The only thing that matters to those grunts is the guy they know has their back.
That whole deal with the USS Indianapolis was a crock of shit, really, but very typical of the government of the United States: the politicians love to claim they support the military, but they really don’t: young men have been fighting and dying for this country since before it was born and will continue to do so, and the government treats veterans shamefully about a lot of things.
Just don’t be touching yourself while you’re in that corner, gil.
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 1:32 pm
So, it’s agreed. I will be addressed as Quint for the remainder of the day. Farewell and adieu to you Spanish ladies…
Oopsy said,
August 15, 2006 at 2:48 pm
What about us Polish ladies? Heh, heh.
And, I always had a hankering for Richard Dreyfuss in that flick (course, I was a bit younger back then). As someone said above, and I paraphrase, “best damn movie I ever saw.” Scariest, anyhow…… you just can’t get seriously scared by Nightmare on Elm Street and those slasher bits. You need a real, honest to goodness, living breathing MONSTER to scare the poop outa ya!
I toured Scotland once, and my son looked and looked for a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster, but nary hide nor hair did we see. Very disapointing to the 7-year-old lad. :>(
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Quint, you dirty bint. (No, I have no idea what that means.)
Say Cheese said,
August 15, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Great cheese comes from happy cows. Happy cows come from California.
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:01 pm
That’s a Gooda point, even if your name is Jack and you went to Colby.
Mainetarr said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Only point in here is at the top of yer head, K2.
Welcome back, by the way. No more vacations for you.
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:11 pm
Bint? Bint? I deny that across the board. (I have no idea what THAT means.)
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:12 pm
I used to tune in to a webcam pointed at Loch Ness. Never saw nuthin but gulls. Stupid wiggly worm.
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:17 pm
I think ‘dirty bint’ was in a porn link I . . . heard about. Yeah, heard. That’s it. Heard.
MT, all hail Darth Feta.
Gil said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:19 pm
You know how much I hate to prove people wrong using facts, but:
K2 said,”Unfortunately, because our military’s recruitment is down, they are now letting in more people with criminal records, and kicking less soldiers out of Basic. They’ve diluted their standards, which ain’t a good thing.”
I’m throwing the Bullshit Flag
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20060814.aspx
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov2005/20051109_3283.html
I’m sure you can find a few lib rags that will tell you different, and they will quote “sources”, and yet, we still maintain the most highly trained and tech advanced military in the world. You can’t by definition then lower standards just to keep numbers up. the military was stringent when I went in years ago, and has only gotten more strict.
Mainetarr said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Throwing the bullshit flag, hee hee. That made iced tea come out my nose Gil, you bastard.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:42 pm
I too have seen the “beast”. Mangy looking thing.
jarheaddoc said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Throwing the bullshit flag. So that’s what we call our corner time now, huh? Sounds like something K2 woulda said.
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Gil, I will try to find where I read what I stated. It might have been in Newsweek or The New Yorker — your aforementioned ‘liberal rags.’ I’m confident your subscriptions on both mags are up to date, however.
Your links are obviously more credible, since I know nothing about them whatsoever.
Paging private Green. . . .
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 4:02 pm
On short notice here’s something from the Wall Stret Journal — not exactly a liberal rag, or what I had read previously:
“Lower Army Standards for Personal Behavior of Active Troops: More of the new Army recruits are washing out of the service before completing their first enlistment. To keep more soldiers in the service, the Army has told battalion commanders that they can no longer bounce soldiers from the service for poor fitness, pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse or generally unsatisfactory performance, but instead must refer such cases higher up the chain of command. [“To Fill Ranks, Army Acts To Retain Even Problem Enlistees,” Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2005, page B1.]”
jarheaddoc said,
August 15, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Try these, gil.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/07/11/MNG03JT3ER1.DTL
http://www.slate.com/id/2133908/
K2 said,
August 15, 2006 at 4:13 pm
I presume that since Michael Kinsley is the editor of Slate, Gil et al. won’t even read any of the article.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:02 pm
All right! I’m telling a friggen joke in here. Let’s lighten things up.
“I’ve seen plenty of batting slumps,” the manager told one of his coaches. “But I’ve never had a whole lineup in a slump before.”
The team had lost 10 of its last 20 games, scoring only eight runs during that whole stretch. The best they’d done was four hits in a game.
“We have to try something different,” the manager said to his batting coach.
“What do you have in mind?” the batting coach asked warily.
“I’m going into the batting cage myself,” the manager said.
The coach tried to talk him out of it. But the manager was desperate, willing to try anything.
With the whole team watching, the coach swung at the first pitch and missed. He missed the second pitch. Ditto the third, fourth, and fifth. On the sixth pitch, he just nicked the ball, which dribbled back to the pitcher’s mound.
The manager slammed his bat to the ground, turned around, and stared at his players. “That’s how you guys look at the plate!” he yelled. “Now get up there and HIT the ball
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:03 pm
URGENT ALERT FOR VOLUNTEERS TO SAMPLE BOOZE AND DRUGS:
Actually, it’s power drinks. I was asked if I could find volunteers for a taste test at the SJ Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Any takers?
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:13 pm
Any good wine involved? If so, count me in.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Good joke, AO.
Why are you telling that particular joke this week??
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Hmm…I don’t know, Linda. Must have something to do with the Sox’s losing to the Tigers last night.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Shane is coming home from Iraq in the beginning of October. He had to
sign
up for a second tour, the following Sept. It doesn’t sound like the
war is
going to be over any time soon
I just received this in an e-mail from a friend of mine today. Shane is on his first enlistment for the Marines. The part that gets me is: he had to sign up for a second tour the following September. Makes me wonder what the military is doing to the people who refuse to sign up for a second (or more) tour of duty there.
One of my son’s classmates from high school has just finished boot camp (again, Marines) and after infantry school, will more than likely end up in Iraq as well. Not much of a choice since his other option is Afghanistan.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:24 pm
That’s what I was afraid of. Not giving up, are you?
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:25 pm
Whose not giving up on what, LInda?
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:27 pm
I NEVER give up. Especially on the Red Sox.
HEY, Bobbie.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Sorry Bobbie, I posted before your comment came up on my screen. Answering AO, baseball crap again, never mind.
Not good for those brave young people to have to keep giving more and more.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:44 pm
Nope. None of it’s good. I think they’ve all giving too much. It’s time to bring them all home.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:46 pm
Oops! Should have been “given”. Damn keyboard!
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:49 pm
I haven’t seen the creature pics, but for those who have, could it be a coyote with the mange? I read about the mange in Mark’s paper. I’m just sayin’.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Gross pics, to say the least. Want me to send them to you, Linda?
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:01 pm
Actually, the creature is just an escapee from a top secret government site that’s centrally located in the area. The creature is embedded with a tracking device to monitor its travels. The “group” monitors the papers (and blogs) to see what people’s reactions wil be. That way, the “group” will know whether releasing more of the creatures into the general population will help get the next terror alert raised higher or not. Nothing better than blaming this “creature” on experiments done by people bent on our destruction, right?
And yes, Gil, I’ve got the aluminimum foil hat on too tight today.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:01 pm
ha. I didn’t wait for your reply, I just sent them.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:02 pm
While you’re at it, AO, send the pics my way too, if you would please. I need a good laugh today.
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:07 pm
I’m waiting for analysis from an expert this very moment. A lifelong trapper who goes by the name of “Creature Catcher.”
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Hmmm, yes, I see — eyes like fire pits in hell. Thanks, AO. Can’t wait to see how Mark made out — “I’m not going to waste my time arguing with a man who’s lining up to be a hot lunch.”
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:14 pm
My husband thinks its a cross between a pitbull and a hyebred (sp?) wolf. Who knows. I just know that the eyes freaked me out.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:18 pm
It could be a pit bull hybrid. It looks like it has more of the something else than it does dog. That would explain the eyes.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Freaky eyes. They look like something out of a horror movie.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:23 pm
My dog has freaky eyes like that every now and then when you look at her. She’s a hybrid-and before anyone knocks on my door to take her away, she’s fixed, ok?
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AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:27 pm
I won’t try to take your dog away, Bobbie. They make me itch.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Some states have laws that prohibit owning certain hybrids unless the animal is fixed.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Bobbie what’s your dog hybridized from?
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:38 pm
She’s part cattle dog and brown timber wolf. I can’t spell the dog breed, but it’s a catalouah.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:40 pm
“In other news, the TSA bans all carry-on toothpaste, hair gel and snakes on the plane.”
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Some people think it’s a chow. That’s what’s hanging me up.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 7:49 pm
A chow? WTF? Well, that would explain the short snout. Right?
lost sole said,
August 15, 2006 at 8:17 pm
what creature pictures are you talking about?
The creature inhabits my building, at least sometimes, but it’s reclusive, you never see it. We hear it when an apt is empty, walking around. It moves objects left in halls overnight sometimes, and has lifted the screen of a closed window while ignoring the screen of a nearby open window , and now it’s broken the front door so it won’t close.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 8:26 pm
Now I’m really creeped out!
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:07 pm
Then you don’t want to be around here some nights, Linda. It’s not a coyote and it’s not a wolf howl, but something in between. It’s enough to send shivers down your spine if you hear it. It’s freaky enough that Trouble won’t go out if the animal is around.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:08 pm
The creature lives in my house, too. But, it’s not really a “creature”. It’s just a kindly spirit looking after us.
Brenda said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:21 pm
thanks for posting the picture so now I know what you’re all talking about. it’s just a sad picture of a dead dog, I;m not sure why you are calling it a creature? —
I know what the “creature” is, but I won’t say anything in case someone hasn’t read it yet.
that reminds me, I should get a copy of the Pink Room to send my daughter for her birthday! yeah, that’s what I’ll do. Thanks for the idea. She likes scarey movies, so she’ll like the book.
I just hope it doesn’t persuade her to never step foot in Maine!
Gil said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:24 pm
The creature lives in my house.
My girlfriend hates it when i call her that.
But, to be fair, I have offered to shave her back
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:28 pm
Oh, Gil. You ARE SO bad! She STILL lives with you?
Hooper said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:32 pm
The jury is out here, cross between a black wolf and a chow. That’s my final answer.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Jeez Gil, misogyny rules, eh? 🙂
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:36 pm
But, how do we really know that this is THE creature? Maybe that it’s another creature that was killed by the original creature. Anybody ever think of that? There might be some other creature lurking in the dark out there.(THE creature!) Howling at the moon, killing smaller creatures.
Hooper said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:42 pm
Does anyone know why Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson broke up? I missed E! News tonight to go to “Cruising Night” at Roys. I am still wondering why they broke up?! Just being nosey. Anyone ever go to Roy’s on a Tuesday? They have the coolest classic cars there!! There was a 1941 Caddilac there that was beyond words. Just breath-taking. Beautiful. Heaven
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 9:45 pm
MT, who cares why Kate and Chris broke up. Just another “Hollywood Marriage Gone Bad” story. Who cares?
But, glad to hear you had a great time at Roy’s!
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:13 pm
Ha! I like the theory that this is just one creature attacked by the original creature. Yeah, let’s go with that. A riddle wrapped in an enigma eaten by a dingo.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:15 pm
It’s your baby, Mark.
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:18 pm
One of my editors asked me if I’d go out to Turner to collect the rotting, vulture picked carcass so we can have it DNA tested.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:19 pm
I’m going with it. There has to be something ELSE out there. Hell, if it’s been around since ’91, whose to say? And…”A dingo ate my baby”. Who knows?
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:21 pm
HAA! Are you kidding us? I can only guess which editor would ask you to do that! Ha. Too funny. You’re not going to do it, are you?
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:22 pm
Showed hubby the pictures and he said that it was some sort of wolf hybrid. He also said that it probably had mange as well. He’s the country boy, not me, so I wouldn’t know.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:22 pm
No..of course you’re not.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Of course he’s going to do it. Mark doesn’t shirk from any weird challenge put to him.
LaFlamme said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Hey, if they really wanted them bones and would pay for the DNA stuff, I’d happily go out there right now. Of course, I’d need my lab assistants to come with me. To kill spiders and whatnot.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:29 pm
i NEVER kill spiders. They’re good bugs. I’ve got tons of them in my basement. I’m a spider lover.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Mange .. that’s what I said .. I read it in the SJ
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Until you run into a Black Widow, that is, right, AO?
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Arachnophobia ..LOVED that movie.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Me, I kill anything that isn’t a Daddy Longlegs.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:33 pm
Umm..I’ve never run into a Black Widow, Bobbie. But, IF I ever did, I know I’d turn tail and run. I’m from Maine, no Black Widow’s here. Just regular old spiders.
mother nature said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:33 pm
it’s not nice to kill my spiders
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:34 pm
I let them live. Outside though.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:36 pm
I will amend that last statement of mine because I don’t kill tarantulas. We had 3 different ones for a winter each. If I’m driving on Highway 10 in the fall, I have no choice but to run them over. When they start migrting, they cover the entire road from side to side.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:39 pm
Eww..I’ve got a bat flying around my basement. Gawd. I HATE bats!
Brenda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:40 pm
I just read the above comments, the discussion of the military lowering standards. I can’t imagine Gil reading the San Francisco Chronicle, either, although I appreciate the link.
Lowered standards? How else can you explain what happened a while ago, when we had pictures of—-what’s her name? I can see her face but can’t remember the name, but you know who I mean— she was photographed holding a leash, attached to a prisoner- and smiling and gesturing over naked piles of prisoner bodies… remember the defense, the lawyers said that she was psychologically weak? WHAT? When I was in the Army there was testing & training and psychologically weak soldiers didn’t get that kind of assignment. If she was stoo psychologically weak to be responsible for her actions & choices, she didn’t belong in the Army. Period.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:43 pm
AO, you are the livestock queen! If you can call bats and squirrels livestock.
Brenda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:43 pm
YOu can see tarantulas on the road while you are driving?
Marketing Consultant said,
December 17, 2018 at 11:49 pm
I was reading your post while walking my dog. I just discovered your posts on Sunday. Neat insight. What’s really awesome about this website is that it provides really valuable data while also being funny.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:44 pm
Jay-sus! I’m freaking out! I hate bats! Did I already say that? Anyway, I’ve got Roch down there looking for it. Or, Roch-bo, as I call him when it comes to ridding us of bats.
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:47 pm
My husband likes bats, and doesn’t understand why I flipped out so completely the one and only time we had one in the house. My late dog (his name was Dingo BTW) was trying to hide under all the furniture at once while Tom flapped the broom around and I wailed like a banshee. Not a noble moment at my house.
Brenda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:48 pm
speaking of creatures, & animals, I’m watching that show on tv, “Outsiders” about familiarized wild animals turning on their people.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Yup, in the fall the road is covered with the tarantulas. There are spots where you can’t tell the difference between the surrounding area and the spiders because they’re so thick. If you thought wet leaves were slick to drive on, wait until you drive on splattered tarantulas.
AO, we’ve had a bat in our house for about 12 hours before and that was by choice. the bat was flying around at hubby’s work one day. He caught it, put it in a box and brought it home. We released it at sunset. The only problem that we had was that the cats wanted to play with it all the time.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:52 pm
The bat’s on a wall in the corner of our basement. The problem is that, Roch has so much shit stored down there that he can’t even reach it! Smart bat. Roch is trying to lure it out of it’s hiding place by throwing golf balls at it. Dumb Roch. Anybody got a drink?
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:53 pm
I HATE bats!
Brenda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:53 pm
My dad used to catch tarantulas by covering them with a peice of paper & scooting them into a paper bag, then he’d bring them home & make round gear shift knobs by putting them in clear silicone/ resin in a round mold.
Brenda said,
August 15, 2006 at 10:55 pm
what if you just let the bat alone? and leave it a way out? is that possible?
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:08 pm
It’s out. We caught it in a bag. It’s now free to to into someone elses house. Yuck! I had to help! I hate bats.
Anonymous said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:11 pm
Glad to hear the nightmare is over, AO. ‘Night!
Linda said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:11 pm
Oh shit, that was me, falling back into my careless ways.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:15 pm
Your name does disappear every time you clear your files. Why doesn’t it stay after you type it in that first time and stay until you clear things, Linda?
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Roch said that the bat looked like a cross between a pit bull and a hybrid wolf. He was..as he “says” as big as a blad eagle. I saw it flying, I thought it was a butterfly at first. Ha. Sorry but, I’m still grossed out. I hate bats.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:32 pm
After zombies, I think that they use bats the most in horror flicks.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:33 pm
Other than spiders, I think the thing I have the most problem with is poisionous snakes. I always give them a WIDE berth when I see them.
AO said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:36 pm
I don’t blame you, Bobbie. I would too.
Bobbie said,
August 15, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Hubby tends to blow things up when I run into a snake, just like Roch did with the bat. It must be a guy thing to do that, huh?
Linda said,
August 16, 2006 at 6:48 am
Bobbie — Samuel L Jackson was on The Daily Show last night at 11, he was hysterically funny. I guess you don’t care because you probably WON’T go to see “Snakes On A Plane”, am I right?
I spent the evening reading blogs and roaming hte internet, and cleared my file nearly the last thing; that’s why my name was gone, it will stay now until next time I clean up.
Bobbie said,
August 16, 2006 at 8:22 am
Of course I will go see “Snakes on a Plane”, just won’t sit with my husband when I do it. He tends to jump easy and I end up with squished fingers, brusied knees and have almost had the need to go see a back cracker if his arm is on my shoulder.
I enjoy watching Samuel L. Jackson very much-he’s one of my favorite actors. Pulp Fiction is always a must see in the house when it’s on. As long as the snakes are limited to the screen, I will be there!
Debi said,
August 16, 2006 at 12:06 pm
Hi Mark, the creature was found in my back yard. I’m glad you did the story, thank you. I hope the sacrafice of my kitty and the pictures from Michelle will help discover what this thing is.
I would like to add that Wendell Strout the animal control officer for Turner is useless, and that game warden Rick Stone of Poland completely blew me off. All I asked of both of these men was to identify it and neither could be bothered. Mr. Stone said he was a law officer and it was not his job to pick up dead animals, and added the state would not authorize the gas money from Poland to Turner for what was probably a coyote. He went on to say that I should find a picture of a coyote online and educate myself. As I sputtered to myself about my tax dollars hard at work I remembered that the best way around a law officer is a journalist. Thank you Mark.
K2 said,
August 16, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Come on, man, I need a head shot — a close up. More photos! More photos! More . . . Shit, I’m the only one cheering.
Silver bullets, all around.
Mainetarr said,
August 16, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I sent them to you K2. Check your e-mail and the pictures should be in there.
K2 said,
August 16, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Grazie.
Oopsy said,
August 16, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Debi – I just cannot believe the officials blew you off like that – after all the publicity about this “creature” (whatever it is). I am convinced that they were afraid they wouldnt be able to identify it, and then THEY would look like the idiots, and we couldnt have that!! DINGBATS!!
LaFlamme said,
August 16, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Hi, Debi. Yeah, I heard about the shoddy treatment you got from those guys. Not hard to believe, a few of them are calling me today. Damage control, likely. Apparently, there is some talk of the SJ paying for DNA testing of the creature. Guess who’ll get recruited to go collect it?
Oopsy said,
August 16, 2006 at 2:19 pm
As much as I would love to believe it was some extraterrestrial THING traipsing around out there, or a mutant left-over giant sloth from the precambrian era, I personally think it is a coyote crossed with something – the chow sounds good. It looks too doglike to be anything really strange. Poor thing – all these years and all he was looking for was a little love. :>)
LaFlamme said,
August 16, 2006 at 2:26 pm
I’ll be heading out to collect DNA this afternoon, provided the beast hasn’t been hauled away.
AO said,
August 16, 2006 at 3:03 pm
Gross. You have to go collect DNA from the beast? Can I go with?
Treehugger said,
August 16, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Could it have been the Spawn of Dan and Brenda?
K2 said,
August 16, 2006 at 3:22 pm
I bet someone took it to further the mystery. Quote it.
AO said,
August 16, 2006 at 3:43 pm
yuck. Who’d want it?
Brenda said,
August 16, 2006 at 4:26 pm
hey, treehugger! my kids may be wolf/ mutts, but they are beautiful!!! Haven’t met dan yet, but actually I want to. Not to reproduce, just to say hi.
Mainetarr said,
August 16, 2006 at 7:53 pm
well, after seeing the severed paw and smelling the awful stench, it was a creature I wouldn’t want to run into all alone at night.
Linda said,
August 16, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Yuck!! I think Christine’s right, they are all going to turn into werewolves over there!
Michelle O'Donnell said,
August 16, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Hi Mark, Got to thank you again. Ive been on the phone with CBS news out of NY. Quinn and Cantara along the whole eastern sea board, live phone broadcasts along with WGME news at 6pm. and my phone has been ringing off the hook. CAT Associated Press has alot of quotes from your article and Pics too. Your Bigger than you thought. Enjoy the ride!!!! Oh Yeah and to all those who think it’s a damn dog of some sort, Its NOT!!!!! Michelle
Mainetarr said,
August 16, 2006 at 8:47 pm
Michelle, thanks to you for letting Mark know. This is soooooooo cool!!!! I can’t wait to find out what that thing actually is, but it is definitely not a dog.
AO said,
August 16, 2006 at 8:57 pm
How cool is that? Our Mark…going big time! And, it has nothing to do with awful tasting energy drinks. Mark…have you stopped bleeding yet??
LaFlamme said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:00 pm
Hey, I owe it all to you. I really appreciate it. You’ve been great. Let’s stay in touch.
LaFlamme said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:01 pm
The results are in!!
LaFlamme said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:01 pm
The hideous, foul-smelling beast is in fact…
LaFlamme said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:01 pm
A Sun Journal editor!
Mainetarr said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:17 pm
Big surprise there. Not. I thought is was a lawyer.
AO said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:26 pm
I thought it was one of the “Sweater Vest Mafia”. But, what do I know. I DO know that most energy drinks…suck bog water.
Bobbie said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:29 pm
You guys need to check out the Odd News from Yahoo. They have a listing for the hybrid that was found in Maine. It was posted 30 minutes ago according to the site. Going to check it out now.
Bobbie said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Too bad-no mention of Mark in the story at all. Basically just a repeat of the story from the SJ.
Mainetarr said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:34 pm
Those energy drinks really did suck. I thought of another funny comment I could have wrote. I could have asked if number 3 came out of a fishtank. LOL
Bobbie said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:39 pm
The story was even picked up in San Francisco.
LaFlamme said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:40 pm
It was picked up in Germany, too.
Bobbie said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:44 pm
Someone named Chad Arsenault made a comment about it on Boing Boing. Apparently, he grew up in Turner and is familiar with the stories.
Bobbie said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Too bad you’re not getting any of the credit for the story, Mark. We still love you any way.
Linda said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:52 pm
I was just reading the story on Fox News website. Mark, you made their job too easy! also they made it sound as if the wildlife officials were all over it.
Bobbie said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:56 pm
Leave it to Fox to slant the news (compliments of Dan/HHWNBN).
AO said,
August 16, 2006 at 9:59 pm
HA!! So true, Bobbie!
AO said,
August 16, 2006 at 10:04 pm
I saw…the paw. The maggoty paw. Dan will never be able to claim that!
Linda said,
August 16, 2006 at 10:08 pm
Gawd, I hate to ask, but are there any pics of the paw??
LaFlamme said,
August 16, 2006 at 10:16 pm
You know? I haven’t snapped any pics. Maybe tomorrow, after the maggots have frozen.
AO said,
August 16, 2006 at 10:17 pm
I didn’t have a camera with me. MT usually does. Ha. I can’t believe she didn’t pull it out! But, who’d want a picture of…maggots?
Linda said,
August 16, 2006 at 10:19 pm
What, you have it in your freezer? Not at home? I hear fantastic things about Flamette and I’d hate to think …
AO said,
August 16, 2006 at 10:31 pm
That poor girl. What she has to live with. When Mark brought that paw into the room…she bolted. Who could blame her? I seriously think that Mark wanted to bolt too.
Martha said,
August 17, 2006 at 1:04 am
I used to be acquainted with a family in Leeds who would tell stories about a creature they called a Lukaru.. I don’t know how they spelled it, but that’s how they pronounced it. This story made me think of that.
Its hard to tell from the pictures, but here’s what I thought.. for what its worth. I agree with those who say it looks part chow. The face definitely looks chow and its the right color. I think years ago someone got a puppy.. for whatever cruel reason, cropped its ears. Then it either ran away and learned to fend for itself, of when it got too big for them to handle it, they abandoned it. Of course, as I said, its hard to tell from the pictures. Mark, at least you got the picture of the whole animal right side up. It was upside down in the online story.
LaFlamme said,
August 17, 2006 at 2:27 am
Yep. Loup garou is sort of a French version of a werewolf. I heard the term a hundred times today. Now, if a werewolf is French, how does he sound when he howls?
Mainetarr said,
August 17, 2006 at 6:06 am
Le Howwwwlllllllllllllllllllllll. Le Hoooooooowlllllllllllllllllllllll
K2 said,
August 17, 2006 at 8:42 am
The beast was a surrender monkey?
Bobbie said,
August 17, 2006 at 10:51 am
Good quote in the paper, AO. Can’t resist adding to the mystery of things, huh?
LaFlamme said,
August 17, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Yep. It was a loup garou who designed the famous Arc de Acquiescence.
Oopsy said,
August 17, 2006 at 1:28 pm
What got to me was the line about the “devil’s horns.” Fer christs sake – the damn things were just f-ing DEW CLAWS! Quite common on dogs of less than pureblood (and some purebloods). If trimmed, they are pretty normal looking.
LaFlamme said,
August 18, 2006 at 8:33 pm
Yeah. But what a great quote.
Anonymous said,
August 21, 2006 at 6:03 pm
w-w-w-w- what????
Kayla said,
September 26, 2006 at 7:35 pm
It’s a K-9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t you see it in the picture!?! DOH!!!!! =]
LaFlamme said,
September 26, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Nope. It’s a monster. A one-eyed, fang-dripping monster that eats children whole and lives under your bed. Bona fide boogey man.
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