Scary Morning

Nora - this shy dog - has been making so much progress since I brought her home. But there are always those little things you can't control which I had mentioned in my first blog post.

We were just finishing up our walk this morning. We were on the sidewalk and Nora was on my left and oncoming traffic was to my right. Suddenly a runner came up behind us and went to pass us on the left - Nora's side. She got spooked and jumped out into the street as a car was approaching. Luckily she didn't get out into the middle of the lane as she didn't have the full slack of the leash and I had a tight enough hold on it. If she had I'm sure she would have been hit. In my fear I yanked her back onto the sidewalk. The runner was apologizing as he continued on, but I didn't really know what to say. Nora didn't seem fazed and we walked the rest of the way home.

I was worried that I had hurt her when I pulled her out of the street. Then I replayed it in my head thinking I should have just gone to the left so the runner would have to pass us on the right. I wondered why I hadn't heard him approaching sooner. When we got back home I couldn't stop crying - I was so terrified. Now that I've had a chance to calm down, I'm starting to worry she'll relapse, but even worse - I'm scared! Like Nora, I've always struggled with worries or anxieties. And it's been good for me these last few months to be in a position where I'm reassuring her - letting her know there is nothing to be scared of. But this morning I was terrified and I keep thinking what if it happens again...

Like Nora, sometimes it's hard to get past fear & worries, but I've got to do it because it's certainly not going to help her to keep her cooped up at home just so I can keep her "safe." While she may always be a little nervous, I want her to conquer her fears. I can't let the worry overcome me after all of the progress Nora has made already...

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Comment by Bev Levy on August 16, 2012 at 2:50pm: Don't feel bad, I often walk on some trails by our house and many joggers are very inconsiderate about passing. I don't understand why they can't just yell before they are upon us so we know they are coming. I am very careful while walking my doberman because if I get scared she tends to lunge at the runners. You would think that seeing such a large dog would help them be more cautious but many are not. I am so glad that both you and Nora are OK and hopefully the runner learned something!

Comment by Jennifer Markley on August 16, 2012 at 1:48pm: Scary....I had an oops the other day when somehow the dogs got the back gate open. I happened to look out the window and saw my shepherd mix's very unusual tail disappearing around the neighbors house to the back. I panicked because all three were gone. This is where good recall is sooooo important. I knew my shepherd would come back if I called, so I called her first. Sure enough, she came around the side of the house a minute later. The other two followed her back as I called them. Very scary! But Ludi said it best--dogs live in the moment--they enjoyed their adventure, I had to go change my underwear, and all was OK. Just like with kids, there will be many more panicked moments....just love each other and enjoy your time together!

Comment by Ludi on August 16, 2012 at 12:33pm: I was just like you when I first got Ace. But it's important to always keep in mind that dogs, unlike us, live in the moment. That's why they can overcome being treated worse than the dirt of the earth by humans, and still love a new family. They are endlessly forgiving - basically, they're what we should aspire to be like, behaviour-wise. :-) Nora just got spooked, and it happens. She's already showing progress and brushed off this incident, like you said. Time to emulate her! Ace has helped me to become a calmer person, after I have been wracked with anxiety for years.