Sunday afternoon, I set out for my longest run yet, 10 miles. The weather was just about perfect – cool and overcast. I was coming off my first 5K race the day before, and I was feeling good. The run started off well enough, but then about halfway into it, something…unfortunate…happened.
I got bit by a dog.
Right on the ass.
At least I can feel manly in the knowledge that it was a big German Shepard that bit me, and not some wimpy little fluff ball. The owners were being as responsible as I think they realistically could have been, to tell the truth. I was coming up from behind them, and went to pass them on the left. I didn’t say anything as I started to pass, but I thought I was giving them plenty of space.
Apparently I was wrong.
Just as I was passing by, the dog reached out and nipped me on the butt. Immediately after, the dog wasn’t barking or growling or trying to attack me, so I think I just startled it.
The owners were very nice about the whole thing, they apologized many many times, and kept asking if I was alright. At the time, I really didn’t think much of it. It didn’t hurt much, and there wasn’t a tear or any puncture holes in my running shorts, so I just kind of thought “no harm, no foul”, and went on my merry way. I went ahead and finished out the remainder of my 10 mile run in just over an hour and 40 minutes. It wasn’t until I got home and went to take a shower that I got a good look at my bum in the mirror and realized that the dog did more damage than I originally thought.
It really wasn’t anything that bad, but it had broken skin, and there was a little bit of blood on my underwear, so I thought it would be a good idea to get it looked at. Of course, being 4pm on a Sunday, my only real option was the ER. Have I mentioned how much I hate going to the ER? I don’t think I’ve ever gotten out of the ER in less than 4 hours. But I knew I needed to go, so off I went.
By the time I finally did get seen by a nurse, they did pretty much just what I expected – cleaned up the wound, gave me a tetanus shot (it had been at least 10 years since my last one), and prescribed some antibiotics. I asked if I had to worry about rabies at all, and they told me that in the last 40 years in Alaska, there has only been one case of a dog passing rabies onto a human, and that was out in one of the rural villages where the dog had first been bitten by a fox.
In the end, everything worked out and it looks like I’ll be just fine. My butt is a bit bruised and tender, but nothing that shouldn’t be healed within a week or so I would guess. I took away one important life lesson, though: if you are ever bitten by a dog, get the owner’s information if at all possible, even if you don’t think the bite is bad. If it’s an unknown dog, you just don’t know what its’ history is, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
My 10 mile block that I run has 2 dog owners that I’m always worried about since they are usually off leash(out in country). Luckily I haven’t had a problem yet.
I was waiting for you to say you came across a grizzly or polar bear or something and not a dog….but they can do damage too….obviously 🙂
Sorry to disapoint you that it was only a vicious man-eating dog 🙂
I live my life mostly based on the philosophy of “no blood, no foul.” Major props for finishing your run! On the plus side, this is a great story that you can break out at parties. 🙂
Sorry, Brandon, but I have to admit that I chuckled a little bit. I hope you feel better!! (No Rabies!)
No worries, I’m laughing at the whole situation myself. Anytime my wife asks how my butt is feeling, I just start to pretend like I’m foaming at the mouth!
WOW.
seriously.
I totally was anticipating a JUST JOKING at the end.
this mightcould be another reason I heart the treadmill…..
I wish there was a big JUST JOKING, but sadly not, it was all too real!
When I first heard about your story I thought it was a strange dog that came out of nowhere. I’ve always feared being attacked by a dog when I’m running. I feel better knowing that this was the situation. Yeah, you probably startled it. I’ll keep that in mind when I’m running because I frequently pass people walking their dogs.
I’m so freaking impressed with your progress. 10 miles is awesome. I remember when you started C25K. You are doing an amazing job. I’m so happy you have come so far. I bet the family is proud too.
Thanks for all the positivity and support Lynne, I always appreciate it!
You are my hero…you finished a 10 mile run after being bitten by a dog?!?! Awesome. Hope you’re alright!
C’mon Brandon, it was a shih tzu and you know it! 😉 I kid, I kid…
I’m glad you’re okay!
Since I secretly fear this everyday I run, this post is bad for my mojo Brandon! I’m glad you are good and that you went and got your shot. It appears you just can’t drop the ass even when you change your blog name!
I really shouldn’t have laughed that loudly! While it’s sort of funny, especially the way you wrote it up, it’s also really not a good thing. I’ve had a few close calls myself and it really gets the heart pounding!
It’s alright, I’ve been laughing about it too – I think it’s good to be able to laugh at yourself 🙂
And yes, it definitely did get the heart pounding!
Hope your butt’s all better soon! 😀 When I run down a certain street in my neighbourhood, this guy’s dog always runs out and jumps all over me and I almost kill myself tripping over it. Yet he never puts it on a leash!!!!!!! So annoying. Now I can’t go down that street anymore.
Stuff like that really is annoying. In my case, I have a hard time blaming the owners. They had the dog under control the best that I think they could reasonably be expected. I passed close by, and it just reached out and nipped me real quick. I don’t think there’s anything they could have done differently, other than just not take their dog for a walk.
Obviously you weren’t running fast enough 😉
Glad you’re ok. Just make sure to hide if you start foaming at the mouth..otherwise someone might shoot you. Or lock you in the loony bin.
Oh, so that was my problem – I knew I must have been missing something!
Holy moly, that’s scary! I’m glad you’re okay. I think that’s every runner’s fear – that and getting the shits.