I read today in The Greenville News about editorial page editor, Beth Padgett.  She was attacked by a Rottweiler.  Ouch!  I like Beth (unlike most editors - just kidding!).  I know that had to be scary!  I'm glad it wasn't any worse.

It reminded me of something that happened to me a week or so ago.  The dogs at my neighbor's house across the street got out.  One, Spanky, an English Bull Dog, is the nicest (but ugliest) thing you have ever met.  He was running all over the place.  The second dog - a Boxer - was kind of hanging out in their front yard.  The third dog - a female Boxer would not come out of the fence.

I tried to get Spanky to go back into his enclosure.  However, the closer we came to the property line B1 became more aggitated.  I kept making attempts and speaking firmly to the aggressive dog, but he would have nothing of it.  B1 came up to me and pretended he was going to eat me.  I stood my ground and he backed off.  We were at an impass.

Later B1, and B2 went back into the fence.  I thought, "Hey, that dog might try to get a jogger, I'm going to go see if I can close the fence.  So, I started across the neighbor's front yard to shut the gate to the back yard. 

About 10 feet from the gate, I noticed that B1 (who was now at the rear of the property) noticed me.  As soon as I saw him I thought, "He isn't going to stop this time."  I just turned and ran as fast as I could.  As I neared the street I saw a truck coming. 

It was the dog or the truck.  I knew the driver of the truck would curse me, but I knew I could beat him - so, I just ran right across with the dog closing fast.  I jumped the front steps (it was about forty yard dash) and got in the door just as B1 came to a screeching halt at the base of the steps.  He was not happy!

Later, I saw someone walking Spanky toward the neighbor's yard. I watched as he got closer and closer. I went outside.  "Better be careful," I told him.  "The Boxer doesn't like people in his yard.  The man seemed confused but stopped in the yard next to the dogs' home.  I then noticed B1 inching closer to the boundary.  "You had better watch that brown one," I said with a little more urgency.  At just about that time, B1 went for the good Samaritan.

I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help but laugh as the man did a jig and turned to get away as quickly as possible.  I wasn't laughing at him.  I was laughing at me.  I wish I could have seen my own reaction as I was running faster than I have since I ran track in high school!  Oh, that driver?  He slowed to see the finale of the show - he wasn't cursing.  He was laughing too.

Of course, in Beth's case, it was no laughing matter.  I trust she will get well soon.

Here is another story about a canine encounter...