Tala and I have ventured out mountain biking together this spring. Three years ago this month we were both attacked, separately by dogs (she was 5 months old when the giant mastiff attacked her just 3 days before the pack of pit bulls attacked me). We fueled each other’s new fears. Our desire to protect each other made even friendly dog encounters stressful as Tala leapt into previously unknown aggressive behavior. We are healing. Improving. I purposefully pick less-peopled places to ride. She LOVES going. I have biked since the attack but never with Tala. Sometimes I biked and cried. Sometimes I froze in fear while meeting dogs. A few times fear sickened me 'til I puked. But I have kept riding - bits and pieces. Yesterday during Tala’s 3rd time mountain biking we ran into a bear. She listened to me as we waited (and waited) for the bear to move off the trail and on it’s merry way. Later when we passed someone and his dog near the trailhead Tala was full of friendly greetings. I’m proud of us.
New milestone for Tala and I
Tala loves spring, and wildflowers, and mountain trails and mountain biking and....
Tala and I have ventured out mountain biking together this spring. Three years ago this month we were both attacked, separately by dogs (she was 5 months old when the giant mastiff attacked her just 3 days before the pack of pit bulls attacked me). We fueled each other’s new fears. Our desire to protect each other made even friendly dog encounters stressful as Tala leapt into previously unknown aggressive behavior. We are healing. Improving. I purposefully pick less-peopled places to ride. She LOVES going. I have biked since the attack but never with Tala. Sometimes I biked and cried. Sometimes I froze in fear while meeting dogs. A few times fear sickened me 'til I puked. But I have kept riding - bits and pieces. Yesterday during Tala’s 3rd time mountain biking we ran into a bear. She listened to me as we waited (and waited) for the bear to move off the trail and on it’s merry way. Later when we passed someone and his dog near the trailhead Tala was full of friendly greetings. I’m proud of us.