This was so funny that I just had to write. Since it's very hot in this part of the world, I usually walk Zeus late at night, around 10 p.m. I'm usually one of the only people out walking that late, but I've never really worried about it. We live in an upper middle-class neighborhood where crime is practically nonexistant.
Last night I was walking Zeus when I heard someone walking behind us. It was a man in a dark jogging suit. Zeus and I take a very weird and convoluted walking route, and when the man was still following us five turns later, I started to worry. As we approached a nearby open field area where street lights are at a minimum, the guy suddenly picked up his pace and started getting closer. I had forgotten my cell phone, and despite his size, Zeus has all the protective instincts of a Tootsie Roll pop.
Zeus started noticing the man was getting closer, and kept looking back. His head came up and his tail started wagging. When he started getting pretty interested, I suddenly stopped, grabbed Zeus around the neck and said sharply "No! No bite!"
As Zeus started straining and whining to reach the man, I held him, acted like I was jerking his leash and getting anxious, and kept repeating "No bite!" I just prayed the stranger couldn't see my dog's tail wagging like mad. I called to the man, "I'm sorry, he gets weird around strangers, but we're working on it." The guy hesitated, then abruptly took the next turn in another direction. I headed straight home as soon as he was out of sight.
I still don't know if the man was really anything to worry about, but in retrospect, it was pretty funny. All thanks to my aggressive bodyguard.
Last night I was walking Zeus when I heard someone walking behind us. It was a man in a dark jogging suit. Zeus and I take a very weird and convoluted walking route, and when the man was still following us five turns later, I started to worry. As we approached a nearby open field area where street lights are at a minimum, the guy suddenly picked up his pace and started getting closer. I had forgotten my cell phone, and despite his size, Zeus has all the protective instincts of a Tootsie Roll pop.
Zeus started noticing the man was getting closer, and kept looking back. His head came up and his tail started wagging. When he started getting pretty interested, I suddenly stopped, grabbed Zeus around the neck and said sharply "No! No bite!"
As Zeus started straining and whining to reach the man, I held him, acted like I was jerking his leash and getting anxious, and kept repeating "No bite!" I just prayed the stranger couldn't see my dog's tail wagging like mad. I called to the man, "I'm sorry, he gets weird around strangers, but we're working on it." The guy hesitated, then abruptly took the next turn in another direction. I headed straight home as soon as he was out of sight.
I still don't know if the man was really anything to worry about, but in retrospect, it was pretty funny. All thanks to my aggressive bodyguard.