People from New Jersey have a reputation for being blunt, in your face and unfriendly, a stereotype that is promoted on television and in the movies, and is a source of material for comedians. Many of us with roots in the Garden State get a kick out of it and encourage it, even though we know it is completely untrue – most of the time.

Apparently these characteristics can now be attributed to Jersey house pets as well. In West Milford, on the other side of the mountain from Oakland, where yours truly grew up, lives Jack, a 15 pound orange and white cat with a serious attitude about other animals setting foot in his yard. He doesn’t tolerate trespassers and will run off any animal that dares to set paws on his property. Chipmunks, squirrels, dogs, other cats, and birds all know to keep a buffer between themselves and Jack’s yard. And now that list includes at least one bear.

Last month a black bear was roaming about and wandered onto Jack’s property. Jack attacked. The bear took one look at this hissing, spitting growling ball of fury coming at him and quickly climbed as high as he could get up a tree. Jack waited at the base of the tree watching the bear for awhile, then went back and took up his position on the porch. The bear decided it was safe and climbed down from the tree. Jack was back; same gentle style. Up another tree went the bear.

A neighbor saw what was happening and called Jack’s owner. She and the neighbor watched for some time, and took a few pictures. Finally Jack’s owner, realizing that Jack was fighting way out of his weight class, decided to call off the battle and bring Jack inside. Soon after, the bear climbed down and beat a retreat back into the woods, wiser for the experience.

So now even the cats have a bad reputation.