On a quiet evening just outside Fort Collins, Colorado, what began as a routine chore turned into a life-or-death encounter with one of nature’s most dangerous predators.
75-year-old Margaret Collins was taking out the trash when she heard an unsettling growl coming from the darkness. Before she had time to react, a mountain lion—likely drawn in by the scent of garbage—emerged from the shadows and prepared to strike.
But in that split second, a true hero stepped in. Buddy, a yellow Labrador belonging to Margaret’s son, Daniel Collins, threw himself directly into the path of the lunging predator.
Buddy wasn’t even Margaret’s full-time companion—he was dropped off every weekend by Daniel, a long-haul truck driver, while he was away on the road. But in that moment, Buddy became more than a weekend guest. He became a protector.
Security camera footage captured the chilling scene: the mountain lion leaping forward, Margaret’s terrified scream, and Buddy’s courageous dive into the attack. Barking furiously and refusing to back down, Buddy bought Margaret the crucial seconds she needed to flee back into the house.
The commotion caught the attention of nearby neighbors, who quickly ran to help. Together, they managed to scare the mountain lion away. Buddy was left scratched, bloodied, and exhausted—but alive.
Margaret held him in her arms, overcome with emotion. “If it weren’t for Buddy,” she said through tears, “I don’t think I’d be here right now.”
This harrowing encounter is a stark reminder of the wildlife that shares our landscapes—and the incredible bravery of the animals who love us. For Margaret Collins, Buddy isn’t just a dog anymore.
He’s a hero.
