A little PSA

Today's post is truly from the heart, and without a lot of forethought. It's a lesson I learned on accident, not particularly happy, not one that I wanted, nor do I want to continue to have in my life; I'm afraid of dogs.  Specifically, dogs not on leashes, away from their homes.
A year ago, while running, I was on a very rural road.  While running IN THE STREET but in front of homes, three little, yappy dogs came toward me.  I ran. They chased me and one of them grabbed my left calf and bit me. It was a decent bite and while I was not punctured by the teeth, skin was broken and deep bruising occurred.  What I didn't expect was that this lingering fear would still be with me.  When a dog is out in their yard, they have every right to bark at me.  I will not enter your space, but that dog better not enter mine.  On several occasions since then I have been chased by loose dogs.  This sends my heart rate into levels so high, its like it's trying to reach to sun!
It's happend twice in my new neighborhood.  These chases were done by dogs, not on leashes, but with their owner.  I'm going to shout so you'll hear me. "YOU MAY THINK YOUR DOG WON'T BITE, BUT I DON'T!"
I don't want to be afraid of your dog.  I really don't.  We even had a "great dog experiment" and owned a dog for four years. However, it seems that, sometimes, dog owners/lovers care more about the freedom and happiness of their dog than the safety of others.  Most dogs are not biters. But from owning a very active black lab, I know that the great game of most dogs is to chase people. It is so fun for them! But, for an innocent person who is running for fitness, or a child riding their bike or walking/playing on the sidewalk, suddenly being chased by a dog is not fun at all.
So, consider this a little PSA: Keep your dog on a leash.  It'll save everyone a little heartache. Your dog won't run to chase me, "accidentally" bite me or someone else, and I won't call animal control on you.

By the way, I did call animal control on the dogs who bit me last year.  They were not up to date on their vaccinations and had to be quarantined for three days.  The dogs were also repeat offenders.  I will feel bad for you if your dog gets taken away, or if you have to pay hundreds of dollars in fines, but I will feel devastated if any HUMAN gets hurt because your dog was not restrained.

Maybe this will be something you can learn on purpose because I was bitten by a dog on accident.