The Reason for Leash Laws

     The picture in the blog today was my view from 3 inches above the dog in my precarious perch in the tree. You will have to trust me that I could have drawn a much nicer picture if I were able to bend the fingers in my drawing hand without sharp pain as a result of this divine encounter. I was not bitten, though not through any lack of intent. I escaped being bitten by kicking at the attacking monster, which he skillfully evaded. However, I had the good fortune (?) to crash into a tree, which I then scrambled up. The dog was small so could not quite reach me. It took the owner 5 minutes to finally catch the snarling, leaping dog. This was the same owner who as I stopped in the road when the dog, hackles raised, first started walking stifflegged towards me, called out, "Oh he's fine. He won't hurt you."

     As I climbed out of the tree, the adrenaline rush that had sent my heart coursing and given that superhuman ability for a 50+ year old woman to scramble up a tree, now left in its wake a flood of muscle liquifying chemicals. I almost collapsed.
     "Are you ok?" asked the owner.
     Very calmly, I said, " I would like to say something, and I would like you to listen to me."
     At this point, I didn't even know I had slammed my arm, cut it, and the swelling must have pinched a nerve, making precise drawing of sharp canine teeth almost impossible.
     "This is the reason there is a leash law. Any dog can bite, and any dog can be territorial. If that had been my rescue dog your little dog came after, and my daughter were walking her, she would have strongly protected herself. There would have been a nasty fight, and if anyone were hurt, you and your dog would be responsible. You now know your dog cannot be trusted. I walk this route all the time. I do not want to have to worry this will ever happen again."
     "He ran out the back door," said the man lamely.
     "That's fine. I understand, but that dog should never be off leash outdoors."

     I staggered off and didn't burst into tears until I was out of sight. And just that very day, not even an hour prior to that run, I was determined to have a positive attitude for the rest of my life. My arm began to throb and I noticed the small wound from my climb into the tree. It hurt to move my fingers, and I wondered if I had chipped a bone.

     This post is for all the stupid dog owners. It is a harsh word, but I am really mad. No dog can be trusted 100 %.  This was not a pitbull, doberman, rottweiler, or any of the so called bully breeds that attacked- it was a little mini dog, a rat terrier. I did nothing to provoke it and was walking on the other side of the street. There is a leash law for a reason.  If a dog is approaching a human being or another dog, the owner should always stop, restrain the dog, and ask if that human wants you to approach. Never just assume your dog is friendly and thus you have the right to invade another person/dog's space. My dogs will attack if dogs rush up to them. They are friendly, but they feel threatened when leashed and other dogs come near. And if your dog has ever shown aggression, you better be vigilant and careful that the back door is never open when that dog is near. And finally, HINT, if a dog has its hackles up, it is the height of ignorance to proclaim, "Oh don't worry, he won't hurt you."

     -OK, Miss little prophet of the Most High, seeker of heavenly symbols...what did that one mean?
    - I am not sure. I think God is pointing out that no matter what happens in our own heart, evil is real, present, and a danger. We should always be vigilant.
    - People are going to laugh at you for being treed by a 10 inch tall dog.
    - Maybe, but half its height was teeth.  

      My hand feels almost normal this morning although it really hurts to touch the spot near the wound. I suspect if it were broken, I would feel worse than I do. Thank you for letting me rant and rave. Now I intend to return to my positive attitude for the rest of my life.

2 Corinthians 5: 9-10
⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.