"Did He Bite You?"

Those were the words out of the DOG OWNER'S mouth after she called her dog off of me. No... he didn't attack - but boy was that scary. I'm running this time. And I'm on a normal route. I go by the house to get to my loop, and pass the same house on the way back thinking dang she got a bunch of dogs. She's always had a beagle for her husband's hunting, but today she also had an irish setter and "Snarly" I'll call him. But I didn't see him until after I'm past the house. About 100 yards later I hear the toenails on the road first -- then the barking and snarling. And I'm talking hair-raising, teeth-showing growling and snarling. This dog meant business. I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around and pointed at him and sternly said "BEHAVE. GO HOME. BEHAVE." And he stopped! Phew...I'm saved. Whoops - no I'm not. He really wanted to take a chunk out of me. There was just something about him that was a little scary. Finally, the owner yelled his name and he turned around and went home. She yelled "did he bite at you?" And I said no...but he wanted to. Homeward I went. About a half hour later, she called me! She was SO worried the dog bit me. When she yelled at me and the dog, I was about 100 yards away and it was kinda hard to hear each other. So she just wanted to make sure he didn't bite. Diane said he gets a little nippy sometimes but usually stops when you yell at him (he did). She highly recommended pepper spray and don't be afraid to blast him! Turns out the dog is young and a take-in and he loves to chase cars and motorcycles. Guess he likes people on the run too. The family are very nice folks. If they all could be that caring! I used to say when I retire I want a dog...that thought is out of my head forever! I'll stick with my kitties.