Western Walkabout: A Story With A Moral
Richard Harris tells of the day he learned a lesson about canine behaviour while out running.
To read more of Richard's brilliant columns please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/western_walkabout/
Some years ago I was running through the bush at Canning Vale before the area became heavily built up. It was a fine, warm day, with a south easterly breeze, typical Perth summer weather.
I was dressed for the occasion – topless, a runner’s cap, shorts, socks and running shoes. I’d been running firmly for nearly an hour. My heart rate was elevated and I was in the middle of a classic runner’s high, though slightly fatigued.
I was running along a limestone track, with the railway nearby. Suddenly, I got the most terrific fright. Three large German shepherd dogs came bounding out of the bush at me, growling and threatening.
I am used to cats, and get on well with them. But I never was a dog person and the bigger ones tend to intimidate me.
What was I to do? I remembered reading in a recent issue of the community newspaper about how some guard dogs had escaped from a warehouse where they were supposed to be on duty and had gone on a rampage, terrorizing residents and domestic stock. At least, that’s how the newspaper reported the situation.
The dogs were now within about 40 feet of me. I looked down at my feet for a stick or club but saw nothing except small pieces of limestone rock, cricket ball size. I stopped running, grabbed a rock, and threw it at the dogs.
“Piss off, you stupid beasts,” I yelled.
My throw was wild, and the rock sailed several feet over the dog’s heads.
To my astonishment, the dogs turned around and went chasing after the rock. They raced neck and neck but the biggest animal snatched it. They turned around, and brought it back to me, eyes bright, tails wagging. They wanted me to throw it again.
This was a humbling incident for me. It taught me that most dogs would rather race each other in play than go marauding the innocent. Also, it isn’t useful to be scared of dogs. Preferably, use your largest weapon, meaning not a rock but your brain. Most dogs will go along with the game, and you’ll make some new, affectionate friends.
