Zoe’s Bad Day

Two weeks ago today, Zoe had very bad day. I have a few pictures, but none I’m going to put on the blog.  Instead I’ll share this one of her being a typical toy-hog with both new toys in her mouth and away from poor Mia.

I run with my dogs & my step-mom almost every several times a week from  4:30-5AM ish at a running trail around a lake/retention pond in our neighborhood.  My dogs typically run off leash once we get to the park- there is 1 other jogger out there regularly (our friend) & rarely any cars.   I have been out there, at least with Zoe, for probably about 6 years.  My dogs are big babies and typically run away from anything remotely scary. My biggest worry has been a coyote(wolf?) I’ve seen a few times.   During the summer we might see kids out wandering that late in the night.  My dogs wear bright blue blinking collars so I can see them & they are visible to cars and anybody else out there that might be startled by them.

I’ve seen this guy walking his dog once or twice before in the last few weeks. He had his dog walking along the bayou & about 20 yards off the trail.  I’d passed him & he’d made his dog sit and we just kept going.  I didn’t think much of it.  I’ve seen lots of people out over the years- usually just once or twice & the only other “regular” out during that ungodly hour is a running buddy of ours.  I’m fairly accustomed to both friendly and unfriendly dogs approaching me while running and approaching me with the dogs.  If a see dog(s) charging at us and/or barking, my instant instinct is to turn and yell at them, while  lunging at them.  Usually that aggressive and offense motion is enough to make most dogs stop in their tracks.  It’s worked like a charm for years & I’ve actually had more grief with the itty-bitty dogs than the bigger ones.

This particular morning, I had Zoe back on the leash as we were headed back towards our house (she likes to hang back & go through the garbage on Mondays and I have to go track her down).  Mia was running around ahead of us off-leash & we came up to this guy walking his dog, which started walking towards us & he was yelling at it.  I stopped running & stood still to let the dogs approach and sniff each other. The dog was approaching like normal & I thought nothing of it since we’ve happily interacted with lots of other dogs .

Once it got close to Zoe/me, it lunged and jumped on top of her attacking her. Zoe immediately cowered down and back trying to get away.  The guy was yelling at his dog and finally able to pull his dog off Zoe by getting on top of it. From a distance, it the dog looked like some type chocolate lab, but when it’s face was closer I detected more of a lab/pit mix.   The whole thing happened so quickly and caught me totally by surprise & I didn’t even have time to do anything.

Once the guy restrained his dog, Zoe seemed to be ok- shaking & limping pretty good.  I checked her quickly in the dark- giving her a hug and running my hands over her.  I didn’t even think to get the guys name or number or ask about his dogs vaccinations as he apologized profusely.   All I could muster was “we’re out here every day” hoping that he took that as a clue NOT to have his vicious dog out there unleashed when there are other people out there.   As we walked away she was limping a bit less and we jogged slowly home, where I checked her again.  When I returned from yoga, I could see a least 2 small blood spots on her left front leg and a fairly scrape across her chest.  I wiped them down with a cloth & the vet told me just to monitor them for infection over the week.   Over the next few days, she was limping/sore more than usual & I gave her some extra glucose supplements.

We ran again that week & didn’t see the man out with his dog again.  I fully recognize that leash laws are important for everybody & I never run with my dogs off-leash during the day or when other people are out on the trails.  Otherwise, when we normally run, I’m a rebel & I feel the need to let my dogs run free- chasing the birds & bunnies, smelling everything and generally living it up.  That’s the highlight of their day & they were made to be loving life at full speed.  I know that anytime I take my dogs out there are risks & being out on that trail with other dogs is always a risk.  I’m just thankful that there is no permanent damage & I just hope I never encounter that type of situation again.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY:  Having Mia has really made me appreciate Zoe & love her even  more.  I am blown away that she’s still running along with me at over 9 years old.