close call
Today, walking home from work, on a side street that still sees a fair deal of traffic (local popular restaurant on one corner, people's co-op on avenue, KFC on corner down several blocks), a dog got loose from its owner's yard. It was maybe forty feet away at first. It came barreling at me, barking as it did. The owner called for the dog but the dog kept charging. It looked like a young rottweiler.
As you might imagine, I didn't have much time to think about what I could do. I was 70% certain I was about to suffer a deep & nasty bite. I didn't have many choices, anyway, as I was caught flat-footed. I stood there as it broke toward me.
When it got within five feet--striking distance--I looked it right in the eye & yelled "HEYYY!!!" as strongly as I could. It kept running but slowed & diverted its path so that it ended up alongside me. "HEYYY!!!" I yelled again while the owner crossed the street to retrieve her animal.
I think the only thing that saved me was that I--by instinct?--adopted a dominant stance. I did not flee, as prey would, but aggressively intoned the creature to stop. Seriously, I think folks who punch sharks when about to be attacked have a similar reaction.
Still surprised the dog held up.
This entry posted originally at Dreamwidth Studios. You may comment here or there.
As you might imagine, I didn't have much time to think about what I could do. I was 70% certain I was about to suffer a deep & nasty bite. I didn't have many choices, anyway, as I was caught flat-footed. I stood there as it broke toward me.
When it got within five feet--striking distance--I looked it right in the eye & yelled "HEYYY!!!" as strongly as I could. It kept running but slowed & diverted its path so that it ended up alongside me. "HEYYY!!!" I yelled again while the owner crossed the street to retrieve her animal.
I think the only thing that saved me was that I--by instinct?--adopted a dominant stance. I did not flee, as prey would, but aggressively intoned the creature to stop. Seriously, I think folks who punch sharks when about to be attacked have a similar reaction.
Still surprised the dog held up.
This entry posted originally at Dreamwidth Studios. You may comment here or there.