In the mid 80s, I watched a movie about a family who lived in a remote wilderness area. Everyone in that area was aware of the dangers of mountain lions and warnings were regularly issued. To be safe the father dug a huge hole in his yard in order to trap the cougar if and when he ever came by. Instead, he caught a dog, who seemed wild and vicious but his son was able to touch him and made him his pet. Of course, they became best friends and the dog later rescues the boy from the mountain lion.

Sound familiar anyone…my mom dropped me off at a movie theatre once and I watched this movie.