So I went to Delaware today (yes, Delaware) to visit some relatives of D's. I was a little miffed that this twice-yearly gathering was being held in Delaware instead of Philly (the norm, and it's closer to us). But the people who lived in Delaware made the case that it would be more relaxing to have the kids at home instead of in a restaurant (the Philly gatherings are always in a restaurant). They hadn't told the Philly person, who had made reservations at the Olive Garden. And it would be a shorter drive for the Virginia people. But anyway. D figured out that the Acela (high-speed train) was only an hour and a half. I didn't quite believe it, but it was true. Then in Delaware, things were fine except Z got cranky (her nap got cut short by the arrival announcement on the train). So I took her for a walk around the neighborhood. She was in the carrier, so she was high off the ground. The neighborhood was suburban and seemed nice enough, but it was completely deserted, which can be a little bit eerie when you are used to Manhattan.
Then I passed a house with a small, nasty dog in the fenced-in yard. There must have been an opening in the fence, because suddenly the dog was trying to take a chunk out of my leg (it didn't touch me, but it was snarling a few inches from my leg, with all its teeth exposed). It was not a large dog, but seemed very vicious. Dear reader, I have never wanted to kick a dog, but I wanted to kick this one. My mother-bear instinct was kicking in and I wanted this dog to leave me and Z alone. So I remembered those shows where you have to prove you are the alpha dog, to make the dog respect you. I yelled, "Get away from me! Get out of here!" in a voice that I hoped was low and intimidating. Finally it slunk away, snarling and hissing. What a vicious beast. A couple minutes later, a car with a couple of creepy guys pulled over and they whistled at me. I ignored them and they went away. But still, it was not a nice walk and it made me miss Manhattan. I have never felt unsafe in my neighborhood of artsy bohemians and trendy gay men. Needless to say I will not be going on walks in Delaware again.
Then I passed a house with a small, nasty dog in the fenced-in yard. There must have been an opening in the fence, because suddenly the dog was trying to take a chunk out of my leg (it didn't touch me, but it was snarling a few inches from my leg, with all its teeth exposed). It was not a large dog, but seemed very vicious. Dear reader, I have never wanted to kick a dog, but I wanted to kick this one. My mother-bear instinct was kicking in and I wanted this dog to leave me and Z alone. So I remembered those shows where you have to prove you are the alpha dog, to make the dog respect you. I yelled, "Get away from me! Get out of here!" in a voice that I hoped was low and intimidating. Finally it slunk away, snarling and hissing. What a vicious beast. A couple minutes later, a car with a couple of creepy guys pulled over and they whistled at me. I ignored them and they went away. But still, it was not a nice walk and it made me miss Manhattan. I have never felt unsafe in my neighborhood of artsy bohemians and trendy gay men. Needless to say I will not be going on walks in Delaware again.
Comments
The reason I mentioned Philly was, I had a neighbor in the suburbs who was afraid to go to the "big city" but I went every day and felt fine... in fact, I enjoyed it.