Off to get the mail at our communal mailboxes
until I see a large dog ahead of me then I wonder
whether I really want to get my mail or not.
Too late the dog sees me, barks and lunges forward
as I freak out. There is no escape! The dog is leashed,
but his owner is yanked onto the ground in front of me.
For a split instant , I wonder how to help the owner,
but he rolls over, is soon on his feet. Asking me if
I’m scared, I say yes as he yanks the dog closer to him.
Scolds him for disobeying, then puts him in a choke hold
so I can “safely” get my mail, but I am trapped at this point.
Too scared to retreat, and not wanting my mail anymore.
Somehow, I manage to get to the mailbox, but my hands
are shaking so badly I can hardly get the key in right. Then
find only two dumb pieces of junk mail. Now, how to escape?
I walk quickly out into the street as the dog and owner
remain planted on the sidewalk blocking my way back home.
Traumatized, I’m shocked by my reaction to this threat.
As a little girl I loved dogs and gathered them on my walks
to my grand parents home in Milford Utah for my visits.
Now, I’m dumbfounded by how to continue my daily life.
Guess that being 81 years of age should have prepared me
for all kinds of problems, but somehow my physical safety
in life has never been in doubt except for past car accidents.
This physical threat drains me emotionally and spiritually
the only words escaping from my mouth are…Oh my God!
for I truly believe in protection from above in all situations.
So now what to do? Well, I walk home quickly looking back
to see where the dog owner goes as they return towards
my neighborhood. But, I never see them again thankfully.
Hmm, how to resolve this? Just let it go or notify my neighbors
of the imminent danger that could face them? Ask for their help
in identifying this new dog and his owner and to avoid them?
I choose to share online what happened––get mixed responses
some sympathetic, others saying you’re safe, nothing happened.
I send emails explaining the dangerous situation to my neighbors.
Then two days later, while returning home from a doctor's office,
I see the same reddish-brown large dog and his owner walking
by the mailboxes. We follow them home, so now I have a name.
What to do with that info? No further animosity is desired, just peace.
Forgiveness seems the answer after the inspiration of discovering
who it is by being in the same location at the same time––an answer?
An apology would be appreciated, but that’s not in my control.
Only going forward with new awareness to life’s dangers as I age.
Praying, asking daily for protection and guidance from angels above.
Maybe also carrying a BIG STICK in the future trips to get mail?