Day 648
After a beautiful winter walk with my senior Goldens, we returned to the house and headed up the driveway. To my amazement, there was a husky on our porch steps watching us with great interest! Now, if that dog would have just stayed there, all would have been fine. However, it took one look at Lilly and Ranger and came charging right at them. With my two on leash and the other dog free, it was not a good scene!
Not knowing the dog, I could not read its signals very well. My two seniors stood shoulder to shoulder and decided to not be very welcoming. After a few growls and lunges, I was incredibly relieved to see the owners coming down the sidewalk at a quick pace. They assured me their dog was friendly (this means nothing to me since my dogs were feeling attacked and not reacting with love.), but I told them my own might not answer in a "friendly manner."
As soon as the husky saw the family approaching, she took off towards the busy street in front of the house. It gave me a moment to usher my own two into the back yard and join the chase. Grabbing some treats, I parceled them out to the pursuers and headed "inland." The dog followed me, but was FREE and loving every exhilarating second of Husky Heaven. The family swerved, the dog zoomed, the family cajoled, the dog ignored until, finally, I enticed and the dog ran close enough for me to grab the collar! Whew! Game over!
After handing the husky off to the shaking hands of her family (they were VERY apologetic!), I took my own rapidly beating heart inside to calm myself and all four Goldens. (The young boys had been in the window cheering the husky on from the sidelines.) Adrenaline, due to fear, is a strong component of life. It allowed me to separate the dogs, secure my two and head out on the chase. If someone had asked me to join them in a game of "Tag," I would not have been half as spry, speedy and sharp! Thank you, Adrenaline!
Long ago, someone I respected told me to plan and rehearse unpleasant encounters so that when the actual meeting took place, there were no surprises. Although great advice, that doesn't always work.
Sometimes, it is good to anticipate an uncomfortable scene while other times, you simply need to react without any preplanning! I am thankful that I still have that ability to smooth a frightening situation out and keep everyone safe. Lilly and Ranger looked disappointed when the show was over! Gus and Sam wanted a turn to go outside and see if there might be another intruder! Their Mama was simply glad it ended well for everyone...especially the runaway husky!
