I was attacked by a dog at Home Depot in Cheyenne yesterday morning. If you had happened to be a shopper in the area at the time, you would have seen a large, shaggy yellow dog not on a leash and accompanying a scruffy man run up behind me while I was at the check out counter. He touched his nose on my leg and ran away. Perhaps you wouldn’t have thought another thing about it had it not been for my scream and subsequent reaction.
Again, I will say it… I was attacked by a dog at Home Depot in Cheyenne yesterday morning. I am terrified by dogs. It doesn’t matter what size or shape, my heart pounds and I am frightened in the company of canines. Usually, I can keep myself under control, walk out of what I consider harm’s way, stay calm. But yesterday I was taken by surprise. I heard a noise and saw a swirl of yellow fur just before I felt the animal touch my leg. I screamed, expecting to be bitten and mauled. I whirled around, already totally in the grips of fight or flight, and saw not only the unleashed dog but also a pit bull on a leash a few feet away from me. Petrified doesn’t even adequately describe me at the point. I ducked myself behind the cashier and into her little space behind the check out counter. When the scruffy man laughed, I yelled at him that his dog should be on a leash and that I was terrified of dogs.
At this point, everyone sort of froze. Except me. I began shaking so hard that I had to lean against the wall to stay standing. Tears began flowing. I couldn’t breathe. (I worked really hard NOT to hyperventilate). I think another cashier asked the men to remove their dogs, at any rate, the dogs vanished. But. It took me at least ten minutes to begin breathing even somewhat normally again, though the shaking didn’t stop for another hour or so. My cashier got me a tissue, offered me some water, and apologized several times. She let me stay behind her in the cashier’s desk for as long as I needed. Someone asked if I was okay. I answered “No,” and the tears continued to flow. At some point, the owner of the pit bull returned, without the dog, and apologized to me. I don’t think I saw the scruffy man again. A woman talked kindly to me, a man made a comment which now I am sure was intended to make me feel better, “Well, you survived.” At the time I did not appreciate his attempt.
Eventually, I pulled myself together, finished buying the paint I had in my basket and got myself to the car. Where I cried for another ten or so minutes. Then, craving safety with Karl and home, I managed to drive across town to our house. Karl’s first look at me prompted him to ask why I was shivering. In telling him what happened, I started shaking and crying again.
I’m telling you this story for one purpose. If you love a dog, I’m happy for you. However, please be aware that your animal should always be on a leash when it is outside your home or yard. Also be aware that saying to me when I meet that dog that “He wouldn’t hurt anyone,” or that “She is so sweet,” is absolutely meaningless to me. I see a savage predator with teeth and horrid potential. Your need to take your dog shopping with you shouldn’t eclipse my need to feel safe and secure when I’m at a store. So. I’m asking you. Leave Fido at home.
