Be careful out there, ladies!

[Blueberry]

I had my own "dog encounter" on foot - I was walking my dog (on a leash, of course) through an area near my home. I came around a corner and saw a child (maybe 5?) walking 2 large dogs (think 75 lbs each). The kid was significantly outweighed by dog, plus they had flexi leads which are harder to hold. I moved to the road from the sidewalk to give him an easier time. The dogs saw mine, pulled and off they came towards me. Luckily they were friendly, but they could just as easily not have been. Took quite a few minutes for me to get the dogs all untangled and get the leashes back to the kid. Plus a couple more minutes to calm my dog down (he was a bit overwhelmed when 2 large dogs came running towards him).

So...what do you do? Talking to the kid isn't going to do any good, since he's not the one that made the bad judgment. And the parents WEREN'T AROUND!!! And it's not my immediate neighborhood, so I don't know who they are. Didn't want to upset the kid worse by asking. Scary though - The dogs could just as easily have run into a cyclist or ???

[DrBee]

OMG! I know you must be unnerved by this adventure. I hope you're ok. I was pretty terrified after I was chased. I can only imagine having them take a bite out of your shorts. I hope you heal quickly and get back out there to ride as soon as you can. It took me a long time and I'm still really twitchy around dogs I don't know (I own 2 huge dogs myself).

Definitely try to get the owners to pay for the bills (hospital, bike and all). Good luck and we'll be thinking about you!

[Bad JuJu]

Oh, that's so scary--you could've easily been hurt much worse. I've been in a situation where I actually got off the bike and put it between the dog and me, and backed away like that until I obviously was out of what the dog thought was his territory. Never was able to identify the owner.

I'm a dog owner, too, but I try to be a responsible dog owner, which these folks clearly are not. Hope your wounds heal soon. And yes, I would go get my bike checked out if I were you.

[DebW]

Tater, so sorry for your injuries. Heal quickly. I had a dog encounter once on a group ride. The dog went after the back wheel of the rider in front of me, and therefore right in front of my front wheel. My only injury was to my expensive wool long underwear under my shorts. We actually knocked on doors and found the dog's owner and asked for compensation for the ripped long underwear, but didn't get it.

[Tater]

Thank-you, ladies, for your suggestions and thoughts! They are appreciated!

Well, I feel much better today. The x-rays were negative, just bumps, bruises and scrapes. Nothing that a little antibiotic ointment, Motrin and an ice pack can't take care of. We get a copy of the police report at the end of the week and will be using that to seek compensation. I agree with Annie and others about getting my bike checked out at the LBS and will be doing so. That, along with the visit to the ER, and the price of a pair of shorts I will be asking for.

What was rather funny, was last night after we got back from the ER and I was sitting with an ice pack on my knee. I looked over at Mr. Tater and said, 'I wonder if I can be back on my bike this weekend.' He rolled his eyes at me. We are having some beautiful weather and since I don't start work until tomorrow, I am just itching to go out for a ride. But I know I need to let things heal, so that is what I am doing. Medicating with a batch of homemade banana nut muffins and hoping they will make me heal faster!

I too, am a dog owner, but he has manners and knows his place in the world. I just wish these other two did as well, I would hate to see what happen to me, happen to one of the smaller kids running around here.

Thanks again, ladies! Ride safe.

[snapdragen]

I too, am a dog owner, but he has manners and knows his place in the world.

So does mine, she's the queen of the world, we are her servants.....

Heal quickly!

[DrBee]

Glad to hear you're not too badly damaged. Chocolate chip cookies always seem to help the healing for me Good luck with the owners - I hope you at least some compensation.

[luv'nAustin]

Great attitude! Glad to hear that all will be well and that you are looking forward to your next ride.