Off the Chain

On my way to work I pass this house with a very large Doberman Pinscher chained to the roof. This dog scares me. I guess by chaining him to the roof, the owners are doing him the favor of keeping him from getting tangled around a tree. Each day I pass this dog I put up a little prayer for that rope. I also wince as the rope grabs him back at the perimeter.

My typical defense from a dog is a stern "GET OFF THE COUCH" command. Typically, this works well. Most dogs know this one. I don't know if this dog has been allowed inside his house. He didn't know the command. Still, there's a couch on the porch. I thought he might get it.

Anyways, I'm riding the SevenStarsSecondSundaySpin and we go down my route. This is so fun, guys! I'm looking around at these great people on bikes, and I think they should always be with me on this road. Super fun to have buddies on a ride. We get to the part with the dog, and I tell them about my fear, my prayer, and my wince. We all chuckle. We travel on safely.

Of course, they didn't all come meet me and ride home with me from work the next day. I'm cruising down on this beautiful day when I get close. I start tensing up and prepping my routine of prayer and wince. Except this day, when I get to the wince part... the dog breaks the chain.

No, for serious. He breaks the *&^%* chain. The dog is now chasing me down the street. I'm instantly sprinting, thankful for the downhill slope. Holy Moly. Only Magnum knows this fear.

I've learned since telling this story a couple of times about something called Unchain Your Dog. http://www.unchaindogs.net/ Please protect your dog. Help other people care for their dogs. Nobody's trying to be mad. We're all just trying to get to work or home from work.

I also put together a little treat bag that I can rip off my handlebars and throw at him for next time. I'm relieved but also sad to report that I haven't seen him since that day.