Has this ever happened to you?

I had my dog out for a quick afternoon walk yesterday, just as the sun was going down. I didn't expect to be out more than twenty minutes or so, so in spite of the ice I was wearing my muck boots, and didn't feel like I needed a prong collar for a twenty minute toot down the sidewalk. After all, I usually don't.

We had been out for only a couple of minutes before I realized "Hey, this really IS icy"; a thought which occurred to me at precisely the same moment that my dog was thinking "hey, isn't that a dog up ahead? I'd sure like to say hello".

So, as if in slow motion, my 95 pound dog leaps in the direction of the other dog while my feet shoot out from under me. As I'm sliding down the sidewalk on my belly, clinging ineffectively to the leash, I have time to think "well this sucks, doesn't it?" Of course it didn't occur to me to give my dog some helpful command or anything. It was just one of the moments you go with, I guess.

Meanwhile, as we get closer, I have a chance to see that both the other dog and his person are not only aware of our approach, but wearing matching "deer in headlights" expressions on their faces.

I tried to imagine it from their point of view: a very large Doberman heading at them at full speed, dragging a short, weeble-shaped woman in his wake. Oh my.

When we finally reached them, I regained my feet while the dogs greeted each other happily. I introduced myself, explaining that I don't usually like to meet people that way (duh) but it was nice to meet them nonetheless. After a feeble attempt at trying to explain that I know what I'm doing, really I do, I just called a draw. And laughed. A lot. Fortunately the guy who owned the other dog also had a sense of humor. He laughed WITH me not AT me, I swear. Okay, maybe it was at me, but does it matter?

The laugh we got at the situation was well worth the embarassment. But still, today I wore heavy Sorels and used a prong collar.

Am I the only one with a tale like this?

Nope.
It happens.

The best of us learn to laugh at it. Clearly, you know where you stand.

 Quote: kristel smart

So, as if in slow motion, my 95 pound dog leaps in the direction of the other dog while my feet shoot out from under me. As I'm sliding down the sidewalk on my belly, clinging ineffectively to the leash, I have time to think "well this sucks, doesn't it?" Of course it didn't occur to me to give my dog some helpful command or anything. It was just one of the moments you go with, I guess.

LOL! No pun intended, right?

 Quote:

I tried to imagine it from their point of view: a very large Doberman heading at them at full speed, dragging a short, weeble-shaped woman in his wake. Oh my.

Ok, I am laughing at you...and the image you've created. Sounds like that Iams commercial with the guy being pulled across roads, through fences, and down hillsides by his energetic dog.

 Quote:

Am I the only one with a tale like this?

I have MANY embarrassing tales that, unfortunately, I can't blame on any other man or beast. I wish I could.

I do have a similar story, only it was a long line I was tied to, so he had a good momentum going by the time he hit the end - involving some good flight time for me; unfortunately my dog's intentions were NOT friendly. Fortunately, there was a fence between my dog and hers (which, unbelievably, the other owner was encouraging her dog to go up to). Unfortunately, I found out what slush tastes like.

I also have a similar story which ended up in the doctor's office (human) with severe rope burns to the hands. (and grass stains on the clothes) Gee, I can't even blame that one on the ice

I subsequently stopped using long lines and ropes of any kind and now use strong flexi-leads when my dogs need room. The molded plastic handle and brake button come in handy all the time. (Disclaimer: we only do this in fenced areas; I don't walk my dogs with flexis)

YOUR story, however, is funny!! I loved it!!! Glad the other owner didn't mind! hahahah.. still laughing.

I have a great embarassing story from back when I used to own a horse.

I was longing my very young, very high-spirited Arab gelding.
He decided to make a break for the gate, which he noticed was slightly ajar. He ran straight at me, passed me on the left, and kept on going.

Failing to let go of the longe line, as the horse went by, my hand snapped up, causing me to punch myself in the nose (yep, I broke it), spin around on the spot 180 degrees, and slam face first into the dirt/manure mixture that covered the floor of the arena. I was then drug, on my face, for about 20 feet before I decided letting go of the longe line might be a good idea.

After I managed to get all of the manure out of my mouth, eyes and nostrils, stem the profuse nasal bleeding and catch the damned horse, even I had to laugh.

I am told, by eyewitnesses, that the whole event was actually graceful and balletic.

I'm less than convinced.

That was priceless Kristel! I can picture the whole thing...
But you also have my sympathies, because yes, similar things have happened to me, and to us all, I'm sure.

My case in point: I was out last winter in a desolate, icy, and windy-as-all-get-out local park. I let Oscar off leash, as there wasn't a dog for miles around, and the park is fenced, and just as we reached the top of a big barren hill, Oscar put on his "something over here smells GOOD!" face (hounds ...). He was only about 10 feet away but just as I got to him to yank him away from what appeared to be someone's discarded lunch, I lost my footing... Oscar neatly sidestepped my scrambling body to snarf up whatever he had found, and I began to slide down the hill uncontrollably on my belly, feet first - I was actually digging my nails THROUGH my wool mittens trying to stop myself, but it was hopeless - and it was a loooong hill. At some point Oscar must have thought we were sledding and he came trotting after me, chuffed with his snack score and ready to play. It was not one of my finer moments...

I actually take a lot of pleasure in those moments (at least in retrospect ), our dog's really do bring all kinds of phenomenal humor and experience into our lives.

~Natalya

OMG Kristel, I laughed so hard at this story. THANK YOU.

I tried and did a really good job of imagining your story.

A lady in our SchH club had told me a story about being dragged on her belly by her GSD going after another dog (in a not as friendly way). I thought, "no way, she is making this up", but now I believe lol.

Maybe when I get my male, and have my wife walk him, I'll get to see this in live action

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Failing to let go of the longe line, as the horse went by, my hand snapped up, causing me to punch myself in the nose (yep, I broke it), spin around on the spot 180 degrees, and slam face first into the dirt/manure mixture that covered the floor of the arena. I was then drug, on my face, for about 20 feet before I decided letting go of the longe line might be a good idea.

Wow, you just can't make that stuff up!!
Glad you were able to have a laugh in the moment - the ability to find humor in those situations humor must be some evolutionary strategy for masking pain and humiliation...

~Natalya

I take great pleasure in them too! I've had some spectacularly embarrassing moments, most of them involving my animals. Nothing can make me laugh harder than making a complete fool of myself, and I get to laugh a lot . Sharing these moments with other folks who get it makes it even better.

Pain shared is pain divided. Joy shared is joy multiplied.