I have somewhat recovered from the trauma of getting bitten by a dog while hiking a few months ago. The anxiety returns whenever I run in to the woman and her dog on the trail. I always have to move out of her way as she comes stomping up toward me with her angry mutt by her side.

Yesterday, I waited for her to pass by but could not help commenting that she really should be more courteous. It took her a few seconds before she took off her headphones and made me repeat what I was saying. Thoroughly annoyed I asked her, “ Do you think that when you see me coming, you could respectfully hold your dog and wait for me to pass?” She rolled her eyes and told me that since she was the one coming uphill she had the right of way. I reminded her that her dog did actually bite me and that I had since developed a phobia of all dogs that I never had before. I also let her in on the fact that I never reported her even though she was unapologetic from the start. She was clear that she thought I was overreacting and should not be complaining to her.

We angrily walked away from each other. I was in disbelief that somebody could be that rude and insensitive.

I continued to run down the extremely steep and slippery trail when I heard her state that she was right behind me. I jumped out of her way and landed in a soft snow pile that took me down to all fours. I could not believe the audacity of this woman. I looked up at her in passing and loudly told her that I didn’t hate anybody but I hated she and her dog. She stopped and said, “I don’t know why you give me such a hard time when you see me. I don’t know what you want from me.” I told her that if she listened she would hear that my only request was that she stop, hold her dog by the collar and let me pass. She said that she did just give me notice when she was coming from behind me…and forced me to dive into the snow bank.

I looked her directly into her sunglasses and said, “Who are you?” “What type of person would behave like this?” I than came to the realization that she was just like her dog and that there would be no getting through to her. She was one of those wounded, demented people that I was best to stay far away from. It did occur to me that one day, she may be in a position of importance where I might need her help but shrugged that idea off. I told her that we would never come to a place of agreement and demanded that she go away from me. As she angrily continued I contemplated biting her on her bum but decided against it. I have a temper and could easily get into a brawl but I have never sunk my teeth into somebody’s skin, it seemed way to intimate of a gesture. I had to call forth my pranayama breathing again and let my anger go to the wind. Her issues were not my concern.