Word travels fast in todaysa国际传媒檚 world.

The story about the Chemainus woman who cranked up a Metallica tune on her phone to scare away a cougar recently while on a walk with her dog on a logging road south of Duncan has been picked up by news agencies and specialty websites and channels around the world.

CNN. Fox News. Global. Billboard. Theysa国际传媒檝e all been in contact with Dee Gallant as well as countless others on an ongoing basis since the story broke after she posted a video on her Facebook page showing her standoff with a cougar. A quick flip through her iTunes to the loud hit sa国际传媒�Donsa国际传媒檛 Tread Of Mesa国际传媒� and the big cat went scurrying away.

You just knew Metallica was going to hear about the incident.

sa国际传媒淭he artist liaison messaged me and asked if she could give my contact information to the band,sa国际传媒� said Gallant.

That was early Friday and by the afternoon Metallica lead singer James Hetfield, who just happened to be on the eve of his 56th birthday celebration the next day, was on the phone to Gallant.

sa国际传媒淟ike he needed an introduction,sa国际传媒� chuckled Gallant. sa国际传媒淚 said, sa国际传媒榟ow do I know itsa国际传媒檚 really you?sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒�

Hetfield texted a photo of himself after the call just to eliminate the doubt.

Gallant said they had a pleasant conversation for a few minutes, talking about the Cowichan Valley, dogs and, of course, the story thatsa国际传媒檚 garnered world-wide attention and connected the two of them.

sa国际传媒淗e said he saw on one post you wanted to know we saved your life so Isa国际传媒檓 calling to let you know wesa国际传媒檙e glad we saved your life,sa国际传媒� Gallant related of Hetfieldsa国际传媒檚 remarks.

Everything about this experience has been surreal for Gallant. Receiving the call from Hetfield was the icing on the cake.

sa国际传媒淚 was hoping, definitely,sa国际传媒� said Gallant about hearing from him.

sa国际传媒淚 was super excited. Itsa国际传媒檚 so amazing he reached out like that.sa国际传媒�

Gallantsa国际传媒檚 friends are all expecting shesa国际传媒檒l hear from Ellen DeGeneres or Jimmy Kimmel for some television appearances as the logical next step in the saga.

More than two weeks since this all started, the calls keep coming day and night at work and at home.

sa国际传媒淢y boss has been pretty understanding,sa国际传媒� Gallant praised.

Shesa国际传媒檚 continually surprised how this story has captured the imagination of so many people and garnered such interest.