Have you ever had a close encounter with a wild animal? Fortunately, because of my parents’ enthusiasm for camping and hiking, I was raised with a strong desire to spend time out of doors which has not abated with age. So understandably the number of interactions between myself and wild animals has accumulated over the years. But there is one experience which stands out more sharply than the rest, bringing a smile to my face and a renewed sense of wonder each time I think back on it.