I shared this on air early this morning. I have been running for 30+ years and yesterday (it’s taken awhile) I had my first serious dog bite incident. I say my first “serious” incident because I was nipped once by a poodle. You don’t tend to tell many about the poodle bites, but in my defense, it was a standard bred poodle…one of the big ones. It took a nip at my hip as I went by and the owner yelled out “It’s ok….he just thinks you have a treat”. Boy did I have a treat in mind for that dog! It didn’t break skin, but it was more than just a little nip.

First of all, I am a dog lover and dogs usually get along pretty well with me. I was running along the Millcreek paved trail, about half way between the pool and Connors Road, not an off leash area, when I spotted a couple of dogs up ahead. One seemed pretty docile, but the other, which had the same coloring and size as an Australian cattle dog, about a mid size dog, suddenly took off. The owner tried to grab it even before it spotted me (making me think it’s prone to do this) but it shot off like a rocket straight for me. I stopped. This strategy has worked in the past, usually with the dog stopping too. It didn’t work this time. It flew by me and before I knew it, spun around, lunged up and took a bite on the back of my leg. I am not afraid of dogs and was surprised at how angry I got. I bent over to its level, shook my hand at it and yelled at the top of my voice “No! You don’t do that!” I guess Caesar Milan is right about dogs sensing your energy because it dropped its head and started to back off. By then the owner came, grabbed it and scurried off without an apology or “sorry it doesn’t usually do that” or anything. There was a guy coming up behind her, don’t know for certain if he was with her, but he kind of laughed nervously. I said “that thing just took a  real bite out of me”

As I took off and continued running, it felt like a real pinch back there and I thought it must have got a pretty good grip. As I ran more, it started throbbing a bit. A few kilometers later I was home, and as I felt the back of my leg, my running pants were stuck. I thought that can’t be good. Inside I discovered a couple of 2 inch cuts, and a slightly smaller one below that….had no idea I had been bleeding. Fortunately my tetanus shot is up to date. Mary thought I should go and get a couple of stitches, but I washed it down with peroxide, and with some tape and gauze was good to go.

I look forward to seeing my letter carrier, Patrick, today to let him know I am now part of the fraternity, I have been initiated and could join Canada Post, since I think this has happened to most of them.

Dave Rutherford suggested this morning most would be thinking legal action. Not me…it will heal. I assume these people do live in the neighborhood however. That dog should have been on a leash. The next time we meet, we will have a chat.