Close Encounters

I am afraid of dogs. No one who knows me doubts that, but if the idea that doing something you are afraid of means you are courageous -- then I am courageous!

I have had more encounters with these four legged critters in the past week than I have had all year. And that is not counting Maddie, who I am not afraid of.

I have been scared almost witless by two different growling, snarling, barking beasts in two different places on two different occasions. They were both in fenced in yards, but the fences were very short wrought iron ones that wouldn't even have kept me in had I wanted out. We still walk by those yards every single day. Cautiously. Very cautiously, but we do it and so far have been fortunate enough to miss any repeat performances by these Brutus beasts.

I  had a woman with a small schnauzer type dog lay in wait for me at the park. No matter how much time I gave her, nor how much of a detour I made, she managed to snag me. We talked for quite a while. I know all about her family, the ages of her parents and the upcoming trip to Italy. Her dog frolicked around Maddie the whole time we talked.

There is a lovely white fluffy dog whose owner is very solicitous. I don't mind her but she is the only one who seems to be aware that we are trying to just do our thing and walk without any big to-dos

There was one little boy who had his dog on one of those retractable leashes that he couldn't seem to hold on to. The thing got away five or six times, finally wrapping it's long line around and around my feet. His mother stood back by the pavilion smiling sweetly and offering us no help at all. I didn't topple over and Maddie was a doll.

Then there is the corgi mix who sounds horrific, but who, the lady, with the fluffy dog, assures me is fine. I'd rather not test that out if I don't have to.

One dark night a collie dog ran at us. Coming out of nowhere he was following a boy on a bicycle. That dog really scared me, but he had almost no interest in us at all. He just gave Maddie a sniff and breezed on by.

And last, but not least we had an encounter with two hummingbirds that flew right over our heads at the park today! 

This afternoon we avoided all of them by playing chase the ball in the backyard. I think we'll do more of that.