[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by John_W

Everyone has a different history with animals, and what works for you might not work for someone else. When I was 6 years old I was at my neighbors playing with their children. We were on top of a dump truck that belonged to their father.

A large German Shepherd just like the one in the photo below showed up out of nowhere. The dog started circling the dump truck and everytime someone tried to get down, the dog would run and jump up on the side of the truck. We were all yelling for someone to come help, but no one came.

Finally after about half an hour or so the dog went away. I needed to go home, so I jumped down and headed for my yard. Out of the side of my eye I could see the dog running at me, I started running and just when I got to the chain link fence between our yards and I had to jump over, the dog bit me on the back of my leg and tore my pants.

My dad came out and the dog was gone. He started asking the neighbors if they knew who owned the dog. No one knew or had seen the dog before. I had to go to the doctors office and get rabies shots. It was 21 shots with a long needle in stomach. This went on for weeks. So now, for some odd reason, when I see a large dog not on a leash, even ones that appear friendly, I head a different way as quick as I can.

Your first mistake was that you ran; dogs have an instinct to chase and the dog probably sense the fear in you. Not being there, I don't know what you should have done and I only would be guessing.