I passed several cats on my ride today. Cats are cool - they don't chase bikes. I really appreciate that!

Dogs on the other hand just have something to prove I guess. The last few days I have encountered a beautiful Dalmatian. I've been riding a mile loop so I've seen her many times. The first time I saw her she came out of nowhere barking and charged right at me.

She could have had my leg but then just pulled away. Whew! What a relief! She chased me a few other times that same way. I could tell she was being more playful that threatening. Finally she got used to me or bored with me one and stopped chasing me. She'd just sit there and watch me go by.

With this experience I have a few questions.

I know someone in that neighborhood who might know the owner of the dog. Would it be wise to try to meet with the owner and the dog so we can become friends. (In case she forgets me the next time I ride in that neighborhood.)

When she first came at me and I didn't know what she was going to do I was wishing I had maybe a blow horn to chase her away. Do any of you use a blow horn (air horn)?