Canine Conundrum

I almost got eaten this weekend. And before you get all dirrrty...lemme explain.

When I was little, I used to ride my bike to my friends house. We lived out in the country, so it was no big deal to let your animals roam freely. There was enough room. There was always this dog at the end of the road that was part Great Dane part Carrot Top. A big, muscled dog that had it out for me...and anyone else on a bike, or walking...or in a car. But back then, Animal Control was not the ruling authority. We just had to be lucky enough that the owner would call his dog back when we get charged.

So fast forward to Friday night. Mike had to 'dog sit' for his buddy because he and his girlfriend were in Cabo for vacation. They both left their dogs at the house and Mike was taking shifts with another friend. My first question, 'Why don't they just board the dogs rather than inconveniencing their friends?" The answer I got was because the dogs are too big, or something. Bottom line, no one would take the dogs.

Now I know why.

We go to feed the dogs after the Rockets game Friday and planned to stay the night at the guys house. My initial fear was will the dogs be okay with me? I've heard stories about the socially retarded dog, "Cash", snapping at people in the house. Trusted people in the house. Mike said 'it's okay, you're with me." Wrong. These dogs are bull mastiffs (not one, but TWO). The male is an 8 month old 150 pound African bull mastiff...and he wanted to eat me. And he TRIED.

I locked myself in the bathroom and started sobbing like a big cry baby. I had every right. I told Mike I wanted to go home...NOW...put the dogs outside, shoot them, whatever he had to do...get them away from me.

He feeds the monsters (that I now call Satan and his sister) and puts them outside and we go home. He can't understand why I'm still crying. In his mind, the event is over, and I need to get over it. I gave him a few colorful words that wold make MY mom blush and told him to shut up and leave me alone. I'm afraid of big dogs. I realized it at that moment. And it all goes back to the story above. It triggered something and I've had nightmares every night since then.

On our way home as I calmed down, Mike said something about those dogs are used to take down elephants. Oh great, NOW you tell me this interesting tidbit of information?!?! And I was a threat in the house? No way! Then he joked around and said that his buddy's dad breeds them in case we want one. I told him I'd rather have a hundred splinters in my foot than to own a bull mastiff. Gross I know...but it was appropriate for the distaste I had for the breed at that moment.

I have friends who have big dogs. Rottweilers, Great Danes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, German Shepherds and even a St. Bernard (no whiskey barrel though, I looked under her fur, hoping). But they were well mannered animals. Sure they could get ferocious if a situation called for it, but this mastiff is not user friendly. He's gone to training but still has social issues...but I lay the fault solely on his owner. The dog is 8 months old and is trying to eat people. I'm not the first person it's attacked. Mike said "wouldn't you want a dog like that guarding your house?" Nope...I have an alarm system and a gun.

Mike's buddy needs to be more concerned about protecting his guests than protecting his home.