Sit Ubu Sit… Good Dog

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.
~ Les Brown

 

So today’s post is about encountering a threatening dog on a run.  I am bringing this one up today not only because it’s a blog worthy topic, but I actually had a little run in with 2 dogs on one of my morning run recently.  FREAKED ME OUT! 
I remember reading a horrific story about the dog attack on the Garritson family.  Link...  When-Dogs-Attack Some members of this elite running family got attacked by a pack of wild pit bulls while trail running.  The story almost scared the pee out of me and put me in a weird frame of mind.  It made me add to my “bad things to encounter on a run” list. 
This list currently includes:

1)      Friendly faced serial killers… this would definitely ruin your day

2)      A dead body… its always a lone runner or an old fisherman that finds the dead body out in the middle of nowhere

3)      Bad drivers… includes texters, drinkers and teenagers

4)      Psycho killer clowns… I’m just sayin’… this would be pretty bad

5)      And now… Threatening dogs

 

I always knew I could stumble upon a dog or two one day.  I would run “what would I do if a dog approached me” scenarios through my mind. I would think things like… could I actually perch myself up on top of that mailbox or imaging me holding my pepper spray in the right direction so I get the spray in the dog’s eyes and not mine.  

 

So I was 5 miles in on my 6 mile run and almost back to my neighborhood.  When I saw 2 huge dogs (1 solid black and 1 spotted black and white) on my side of the street. My brain immediately started thinking “BODY…what the heck are YOU going to do”. I saw 2 bicyclists pass them and the dogs didn’t even flinch or look at them.  OK… maybe they won’t notice me either.  YEAH RIGHT… LOL!  My brain kicked into overdrive and decided to work “WITH” my body and devised a make-shift survival plan.

 

I decided to stop running… brilliant move Einstein!!  I walked slowly and started crossing to the other side of the street. I did all of this while actively praying (ultimate multitasking).   I have yet another stroke of genius… I grab my personal pepper spray off my fuel belt and flick the little red (you’re really going to spray it) button.  I guess my sweet scent of liquid awesome (i.e. stinky sweat) caught one of the precious puppies in the nostril. The black one looked dead at me and barked/growled in my direction. Now for the not so smart part of the story.  I managed to look the black one straight in the eyes.  FYI: DON’T LOOK THREATENING DOGS IN THEIR EYES!!! Ok Rocket Scientist… I began casting my eyes down, but keep them both in my sight.  I guess the 2^nd dog didn’t want to be left out and he eventually joined in on the hunt.  Both of them were headed right for me and began crossing the street too.  At this point I am starting to draw a crowd as the cars in the road had to slow down to watch the “2 Dog / Scared Runner Waltz” that was unfolding before them. I even caught the glimpse of a soccer mom giving me a “I’m so sorry for you” glance. Seriously… you’re not going help me lady??

 

I kept moving forward slowly.  I guess the urine scented mailboxes eventually overcame my liquid awesome goodness, because the dogs lost interest in me.  So at this point the professionals would say… “wait until the dog is a good distance from you, and move quietly and efficiently to a safe area". In other words… as soon as the dog is far behind and you are no longer interesting to it… do what I did and RUN LIKE YOU STOLE SOMETHING!!!  I think I came close to setting a personal record for that last mile of my run.  LOL!

 

I give thanks to God for getting me through this situation without a scratch.  I hope I do a little better the next time I encounter a little doggy.  I advise runners to always protect themselves.  As I mentioned… I carry a personal pepper spray on my running fuel belt.  It is very similar to this one… and yes it’s pink!  Also, I encourage you to conduct your own research on what to do when you encounter a dog on a run.  The link below may be a good start.

Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking

 

Until next time… happy (safe) running.

~ LR... OMM40:31