TRAVERSE CITY – As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the woods of Michigan, I found myself embarking on an extraordinary adventure – an encounter with the enigmatic Michigan Dogman, a creature that I’ve always thought was just a policeman in a children’s book series by the Captain Underpants guy. However, turns out he’s a cryptid. Forget the second-rate Sasquatch; this canine cryptid is a creature with his own lore, his own history, and a penchant for peculiar delights.
Setting out to meet the Dogman, I quickly discovered that his allure lies in his distinct canine features, setting him apart from the more well-known, but not necessarily better, primate-like Bigfoot. The crisp winter air carried with it a sense of anticipation as I trailed him through the wooded landscape, curious about the canine cryptid’s peculiar habits, my interest waning as he emerged into the back area of a shopping center out by the dumpsters.
My day with the Dogman began with a scavenger hunt for his favorite treats – RC Cola and Utz cheese curls. Behind a Sam’s Club, he unearthed a hidden treasure trove: a pack of Extra gum nestled in the pocket of a pair of Lee dungarees. Observing the Dogman’s delight as he savored the minty freshness, I couldn’t help but be amused by his taste, even though it’s common knowledge that Trident is superior.
Back at my house, the Dogman eagerly indulged in his foraged bounty, his red sweatshirt hood pulled up, a quirky homage, perhaps, to Adam Sandler. He explained that, unlike his furry counterpart Bigfoot, he needed to stay bundled up for the winter, hinting at an end to their winter cuddling sessions.
As we discussed the Dogman’s uniqueness compared to the oversized gorilla that is Sasquatch, his Android phone interrupted the conversation. On the other end of the line was an enticing offer – a chance to step into the ring of either Bellator MMA or AEW Wrestling. It was a revelation that added a new layer to the Michigan Dogman’s cryptic persona, one that nobody seems to know anything about.
Later, we found ourselves parked in the front seat of a Dodge pickup truck, enjoying the Dogman’s favorite film franchise – the Justice League. With his canine features lit up by the glow of the screen, he mused on the lack of representation of creatures like him in folklore or film, asserting that his kind were truly original and unseen until his emergence. After all, who’s ever heard of a 7 foot tall creature with a wolf’s head and a man’s body covered in hair?
The Dogman, it turns out, has a substantial fanbase on Instagram, boasting followers like @meadowknightcreations, @kano_974_74, @rivercat66, @terrell.anderson.560, @gnome_traveltime, @debiwollitzer, @Midnight_inthemountains, @jakeinthedesert, @spookyfoxgirl13, and even @loudotmac. The latter claims to be deeply immersed in the Dogman’s mythology, fascinated by firsthand encounters discussed on podcasts, and even drawing comparisons between the Michigan Dogman and Anubis of ancient Egypt.
Can Mothman say the same? It’s doubtful. The Michigan Dogman’s journey from foraging in garbage bins to contemplating his place in the world of MMA and wrestling, all while indulging in his favorite film and basking in the glow of social media admiration, reveals a cryptid with a personality as diverse and captivating as the folklore that surrounds him. The Michigan Dogman is not just a creature of the night; he’s a canine cryptid with a taste for the unconventional, proving that sometimes the most extraordinary stories are found right in our own backyard.
Stan Dirkson
