We took Tes down to the Kenosha Sand Dunes because we had never been there and wanted to see if they were zombie-defensible [they’re not]. Up ahead of us is a couple with two dogs, a Samoyed and an Akita. We’re just strolling along, chillin. The other two dogs spot us and come running over - they weren’t on leashes. Still, no cause for worry. Tes gets all waggy-tail and “hello new friends!” Suddenly, the Akita snarls and pounces on her. For visualness, the Akita’s head is about level with my waist, and she probably weighed 60+ pounds. Tes is knee high and about 28 pounds soaking wet and carrying a Frisbee. The Akita was well over twice Teslin’s size in any dimension. Tes is trying to get behind me [still on the leash] and the Akita is trying to get to her. Joy is frozen and yelling “no!” at the other dogs while their owners seem to be lollygagging their stupid asses toward us.

My left hand is holding the leash handle, my right hand is fluttering around the snapping jaws of this goddamn Japanese pit fighter, and I’m trying to keep my right leg between Tes and the Samoyed. The Akita lunges forward right on top of Tes. More snarling and barking - and suddenly the leash goes limp. One thought runs through my mind.

“How much damage am I prepared to do to this dog?”

Luckily, Tes had managed to slip her collar and was trying to run away. The Akita jumps in front of me to give chase. At this point, Joy is still yelling and the owners are still ten feet away. I see what I have to do. I reach down and clamp on with a ninja death grip on either side of this dog’s neck and lift it straight up. Tes is hauling ass down the trail and the Samoyed is bounding along after. Joy takes off to catch one or both of them. Finally the owner guy gets to where I am and has the nerve to say “IT’S OKAY SHE’S USUALLY A NICE DOG.” I shove the Akita at him and tear off after the other two.

Tes manages to double back and race toward Joy. I catch the Samoyed and hold her by her collar. The Samoyed is actually very calm and friendly and thinks this was some silly game, but I’m holding her nonetheless. The owner lady comes and gets her. I go over and check Tes. She’s covered in slobber, tail tucked and hair rased all along her back. But no wounds.

Up until this point, less than ten seconds total have passed. I have been extremely cool and level, even when I was mentally prepared to go all out on the Akita. No emotion. But as I’m checking my terrified dog and the other two people are saying “oh our dogs are usually so nice and friendly!” I start to go into post-situation rage. I know it’s coming, I can feel it, but I just want to get away from them so I can chill. The lady even had the fucking nerve to say to the Akita “see, if you had just given her [Teslin] time, she would have submitted!” Ha ha lady, the only thing Tes has ever submitted to was me and a goddamn horse.

I basically say very coolly, “no harm was done, it looks like everyone is okay this time.” They leash the dogs and head down the path, and the three of us take a different route.

The stupidity of people when it comes to their dogs, blows my mind. If I have Tes off the leash anywhere, I’m constantly watching for things she might run after. Not because I’m afraid she going to attack somebody, but the last thing I need is for her to go “play” with some little kid only to knock them over and crack their skull or chase a squirrel into the street. Irresponsible fucking owners.

Comment on this post below

You must be logged in to post a comment.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.