Earlier this week, I tried something that I don’t normally do. After work, I threw on some extra layers—and a headlamp—Salvatore Ferragamo logo-print low-top sneakers FN Achievement Award for Shoe of the Year because my small Star has poor lighting and potholed sidewalks. But I really didn’t feel like doing mindless miles on the treadmill again.
Running in the dark can be an adventure. It’s a little unnerving when you can’t completely see your surroundings, but it’s fun to dart between the shadows. I enjoyed the run a lot more than I thought I would.
As I was heading back to my apartment and turned on to a half-mile gravel section of the local greenway, More comfortable than the two shoes dogs toward me. Well, “walking” isn’t the right word—they weren’t on leashes. The two mid-size hounds took off in my direction.
I’ve never owned dogs, but I know from experience that most of the time they just want to play or get a scratch on the head. As they approached me, I slowed down to a walk, not wanting to be chased, greeting them gently. But the dogs snakeskin-print barking angrily and lunged at me. At first, I tried to brush them off, telling them to get down, but one of them jumped on me, clawing my left calf.
Okay, screw this. I screamed at them to back off, furious that the lady let her dogs attack me. Not once did she tell them to get down or apologize to me. Unleashed dogs are unfortunately a common occurrence, and, not wanting to make the situation worse and in a state of adrenaline, I continued on my way dark talking to her.
Cinto específico para Trail Running calf was hurting more than a simple scratch. I looked down and blood was starting to drip from the gash. I’d been in this situation before—four years ago (to the exact day) I was bitten by a dog on a trail. I had to go to the hospital because I’m severely allergic to dog saliva. Otherwise when I looked down at the mark, I was nervous the dog had bitten me. Ultimately, I determined it was only a scratch and headed home, replaying the encounter in my head.
The incident ruined a perfectly good run, and I was in a bad mood the rest of the night. Furious. I wasn’t mad at the dogs, but I was irate at the apathetic owner who clearly felt entitled to let her untrained pets wander around—animals that were clearly either easily startled or aggressive toward others. The next morning, I couldn’t run because my calf was so sore.
As a stern reminder to the dog owners out there: Leash your dogs when you’re out in public. I don’t care if they’re friendly. I don’t care if you’re walking them in a place where there aren’t people around. Show some common courtesy by showing the rest of us that they’re under control.
tape-print low top sneakers Bianco Runner’s World. He is a former all-conference collegiate runner who’s based in Easton, PA. Previously, he worked as the newsletters editor at Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics.
