He was scruffy and muddy. His occasional scratching caused me to infer the chance of fleas, not to mention his incessant wheezing, concluding a small cold. I had stopped dead in the trail as soon as his unfamiliar bark entered my ear with no alarm. As his charging, filthy fur, sagging, amber eyes, and harmless, thunderous paws burst into my view, I had become frighteningly aware of the numerous canines prowling my hometown.

You could say ________ Washington is a rainy, soggy land. You would be correct. But it is also calming, peaceful, and although often a little noisier than Id prefer, the charming music of squealing feathered birds, plummeting raindrops, and the squish of your boots colliding into muddy grass is what Ive come accustomed to. And admittedly, I now look forward to every new song added in my lifelong soundtrack.

But here I was, taking a brisk, cheerful walk on an unusually sunny Sunday afternoon in March when suddenly this massive beast lands eyes on me. Just recently I have begun to accept the fact that I am not exceptionally fond of dogs. I recall once when I was seven at my cousins house, their family puppy attacked me in their backyard. I still remember the thrashing fangs, scraping claws and chilling snarls. Its one of those experiences thats so incredibly unspeakable, you force anybody youve ever known to not even tap a finger on the subject.

Its not especially comforting that my older sister, Hannah, adores dogs and offers assistance at the local animal shelter. As youve probably already guessed, I also do not enjoy the stench of wet dog, yet Hannah always enters the house bathed in it. This is not extremely reassuring.

Now that youve heard my lame story, it must be understandable why I was barely breathing while this stray loomed in front of me, his beaming body casting a fearful shadow over the thin pebbled path. I can say with quite certainty that his teeth were dripping. From drool or blood, I dont know. But I wasnt about to take chances. An ear-shattering scream erupted from my dry throat as I whirled around and began to run. I ran and ran, trying to unsuccessfully ignore the thundering paw steps beating steadily behind me.