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I began power walking back in high school. Living in a bustling neighborhood, I’d often head out after school with my Walkman, lost in daydreams. This ritual has been a comforting constant throughout my life.
In college, I enjoyed walking with friends, and once I entered the workforce, it became a way for me to decompress after spending long hours indoors. After having children, strapping them into a stroller and taking them out for an hour of fresh air became essential for my well-being—it was pure self-care. Even on days when I felt depleted, getting outside revitalized my spirit.
As my kids grew and began attending school full-time, I was eager to start running. I discovered several favorite routes and have been running them ever since.
People have often asked if I ever worry about dogs while running. My answer was always no, because for over thirty years, my only encounters with dogs on walks or runs had been friendly—like the time a golden retriever decided to join me for a three-mile stretch and ended up visiting my home.
However, everything changed a few weeks ago. I was running, inspired by a podcast and lost in my thoughts, when I passed a house I frequently jogged by. I could hear some barking dogs but didn’t think much of it; I had run this route many times before.
Suddenly, two large dogs appeared at my feet, and one of them jumped up and bit my arm, tearing my long sleeve shirt. Realizing I was in trouble, I yelled for help. The dog bit me again, this time holding on longer.
The other dog seemed agitated, and I feared it would join in. Thankfully, both dogs eventually retreated back home, leaving me with painful but non-life-threatening injuries. I realized how vulnerable I was without any means to defend myself. This incident prompted me to get a pepper spray that I can now wear on my wrist; I won’t go for a walk or run without it again.
If you enjoy walking or running, I encourage you to do the same. It doesn’t matter if you think the dogs in your area are friendly—after all, this particular dog was considered friendly too. It had never bitten anyone before, and the family had three kids. Even with shock collars, the dogs managed to break through their fence and chase me down the street. I shudder to think what could have happened if the second dog had attacked.
An animal control officer informed me that dogs often go straight for the face, and I was lucky that didn’t happen to me. He also mentioned that dog bites on runners or walkers are more common than people realize, often involving dogs that have previously shown no signs of aggression.
I don’t want to stop running; it’s a vital part of my life, and I love being outdoors. The thought of being confined to a treadmill is unbearable. However, I’m now more anxious and rattled than before. Knowing I have a means of protection makes me feel much safer, and even if you have a running partner, I strongly recommend you consider taking the same precautions. It took me far too long to realize the potential danger, thinking it could never happen to me.
Life has a way of reminding us that we can’t control every situation. Now, I feel better equipped should I encounter another unexpected situation in the future. For more insights on experiences like mine, check out this related blog post here. And if you’re looking for information on home insemination, Make A Mom is an authority on the topic, while the CDC offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
I encountered a ‘friendly’ neighborhood dog during a run, which turned aggressive and bit me. Despite years of peaceful running alongside dogs, this incident made me realize the importance of being prepared. I’ve since obtained pepper spray for protection and encourage others to do the same, regardless of their previous experiences with dogs.