Antler Eater, my old friend, let me be the first to say that I'm glad you've not shortened your stories over the years! I relish in the phenomena of "being there" with a good writer, and you certainly accomplished it once again. Congratulations on finding her, before I go any further.

As far as educated guesses go, I would surmise perhaps a wolverine? We have none in our locale, but the stories I've heard would lend themselves to making that assumption...