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I’ve been meaning to write this for a while and an encounter yesterday reminded me to do it. I’ve ridden by this house hundreds of times, it’s only a mile and a half down the road. As I rode by I heard the owners, people I know a bit, start yelling. I’m glad they did, it alerted me to a white streak coming at full speed. I am very familiar with dogs, and it’s easy to tell what their intentions are. Some are just out for fun, tails wagging, maybe a bark or two but not threatening. Others are conflicted, the bark is aggressive but their tails are wagging. Then there are the silent or snarling ones. Ears back, tail down, teeth bared. That is what was coming at me. We are both aware of what is happening here. This is a medium dog and certainly poses a threat, but it is Rotwielers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Great Danes, that really get my attention. It takes about half of a second to reach back, grab the handle of the whacker, pull it out and poise it ready for a strike. I have done this countless times. Even when dogs don’t pose a threat, I still arm myself. Never know. This dog has misjudged his trajectory, and swings behind me, around to my left, a side I don’t like, but resumes his attack on the right. He then lunges for my leg. I can hear his owners, frantic now, screaming at the dog, (he’s a little busy at the moment to bother with them). |
