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I've always been good with dogs, even those who are sometimes aggressive towards other people. (Too bad I'm not as good with people, but that's another story.)
When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, I walked home from school every day past a house that had two dobermans inside a fence and "Beware of Dog" signs all over. These dogs seemed viscious. But I was determined that I could make friends with any dog. I stopped by the fence every day and talked to them. And they just barked and raised heck, growling and snapping at the fence. Sometimes I'd bring a couple of bites leftover from my lunch and give it to them. By the end of the school year, these dogs were anxiously waiting for me to come by. I was petting them through the fence and they were eating out of my hand.
But anyway . . .

I have a mountain bike that I ride (out here on the flattest land on earth). I've been chased by dogs. Some of them just seem playful. Some seem like they're protecting their territory by chasing me out of it. There were a few that had me worried, but I never had one bite me, or look like it was seriously trying to. There were certainly times that I had no weapon and wished that I had. Never ended up really needing one, but times that made me think I should be carrying, just in case. I talk to them in a calm voice as they run along side me and I pedal like crazy to outdistance them. I've been lucky. One of these days I may have to fight one off, and I'll be glad I was armed.

Once in the nineties, pre-CHL, I was rollerblading at a park in Garland. There was a walk/jog/bike trail where I'd go. I passed a woman who was walking with a large-ish dog and the dog immediately gave chase. Mean-looking dog. I was on a slight down hill and had a good head of steam built up. I thought I might could stay ahead of the mutt on a straightaway, but I knew there was a sharp curve coming up, maybe 50 yards ahead. I'd have to slow way down for the curve since there was no way I could take it at the speed I was going. He'd catch me at the curve and there was nothing I could do about it. I took the only option I saw, I stopped, kneeled down and extended my hand and called the dog to me. He was hesitant for a moment but then came up and was friendly enough. When the owner caught up to us, I asked her what kind of dog. She told me it was a red healer. When it was chasing me it looked ready to eat me. I was practically defenseless on the skates and trying to make nice was all I had. Luckily it worked. If I'd had pepper spray, that dog probably would have gotten a face full of it. I try not to show fear. Many people say dogs sense it, and there's probably something to that. But I was scared of that one. Not many dogs shake me up, but he did. I'd have sprayed him in a heartbeat and kept going.