Doggone it, Ollie

I have a (somewhat) irrational fear of being attacked by some kind of animal while out on a run.  I say somewhat because honestly it could really happen, and that's scary!  Living where we live, and running at dusk by woods, I feel especially susceptible to a skunk or raccoon encounter, or (I swear I'd die) a coyote.  Probably more realistic is that I come across a neighborhood dog.  It is because of this that I run a combination of familiar roads in varying patterns to create the desired distance for each run I do.  I know the houses, which ones have dogs that are loose, which are tied and which are kept safely within an invisible fence.  I also have made it a point to try to learn the names of these dogs over the years.

When I had built up enough stamina to return to some of the further parts of my run post-baby, I was surprised to see an unfamiliar and charging large black lab.  In the weeks since, I have discovered that this extraordinarily fast canine is Ollie.  Ollie charges at me every time I run by his house.  He runs into the road and trots behind me until I safely pass his house without intruding.

I'm not sure where this fear came from.  I was bit by a dog as a kid by my great Aunt's cocker spaniel, Jo.  But it wasn't a serious bite, and generally I'm not fearful of dogs.  Maybe it's the vulnerability?  I'm out on my own, alone, in the middle of nowhere with few passing cars?  If you run enough I feel certain that you, too, will have a dog encounter.  I've been chased before, and snapped at before, and those houses I now try to avoid.  I have that luxury.

To ward off wild animals, I like to sing (loudly) as I run by wooded areas.  Ridiculous, I know.  And I swear that I'll be carrying pepper spray with me for my overnight Smoky Mountain Relay leg.

A few years back I had gone out on a long run early one morning.  On my way out I went by two raccoons that had been hit in the road.  They were probably 5 yards apart, which I found to be really sad.  They were probably family, crossing the road together, and one car took them both out.  Bummer.  But, I'm a country girl and grew up on a "farm" and generally understand the life and death cycle of animals.  So, on I went with my run.  10 miles later, on my way home, I passed the same spot.  To my horror, one of the raccoons was actually still alive and was trying to drag itself off the road.  It was one of the saddest things I have ever seen, and so I ran as fast as I possibly could the last 1.5 miles home to get my husband to drive out and "take care" of the wounded raccoon.  (The funny part of this story is that two people passed us on the road while all this was going on--one walking, and one in a truck--and neither batted at eye at us stopped in the middle of the road with a gun.  How many places on earth would that happen?!)

I guess what this all boils down to is personal safety.  Know your surroundings.  Use caution always, but exercise greater caution when faced with the unknown.  Don't get so far out of your head, or into your music, that you stop being aware.  Danger lurks in many forms, my friends.

On that same thread, I'm considering ordering an ID bracelet, like this one.  About two months ago, I worked in the ED at work and witnessed a 20 year old college kid in full cardiac arrest after a workout. Sadly, he did not survive, and no family could be reached by ER staff before he passed.  Not to say that I am specifically worried about that, but you never know, and should anything ever happen to me...well, always be prepared.

Anybody out there have fears?  Funny stories?  Safety tips?