billydonn

I was getting off the local MUP the other day to take my normal loop through a nice shady neighborhood, when I had a very GOOD encounter with a local canine. The MUP exit goes through a little neighborhood park and two people were petting a fairly large mutt just ahead at trailside. As I cruised by, I noticed that the dog is not leashed, but it's no big deal I guess... just keep eyes and ears open. Then I heard the dog take off after me (I hear his breathing and his feet in the grass... sounds like he's gaining on me. But there is no barking or growling.) Checking over my shoulder I'm immediately relieved because it's pretty obvious that doggie just wants to run with me. His tongue is hanging out and I can hear his deep breathing and his facial expression is kind of a goofy grin or smile. He's having a blast just running alongside of me, maybe three feet away. I actually slowed down to talk to him and encourage him along. It was kind of fun and really made me smile.

Doggie stayed with me for maybe 75 yards or so before getting distracted and turning back to greet another canine. The whole encounter took maybe 15 or 20 seconds, but it was one of those little things that sometimes happen that add spice to a bike ride. Dogs really are wonderful creatures sometimes.

Anyone else have a good encounter with a canine or other critter?

oldbobcat

There used to be a standard poodle that would chase me on one of my regular routes. After a couple times I realized all it wanted was somebody to run with for a while.

doctor j

More or less the same thing happened to me earlier this year. A couple of what appeared to be adolescent dogs, tongues and ears flapping and tails wagging, gave chase, maintaining a good distance away from the bike. They had a good time with it, and so did I.

miss kenton

Once, I was traveling my regular route and passed a small group of people standing in their yard when, suddenly, their unleashed terrier dashed out behind me and gave chase. Like your encounter, he didn't seem to view me as prey, but more like a playmate. His owners made no attempt to call him back.
I instantly thought of something Stapfam had once posted and began calling out to him, "Come on, Doggie, come on! Good doggie, c'mon, let's run!" The dog chased me about three or four blocks and then, tired and stopped. I smiled all the way home, thinking how his owners would need to trudge all the way down the street to collect him. I haven't seen him out there since.

Retro Grouch 

I remember once in Indiana bicycling eye-to-eye with a great Dane prancing along side me - and he had bad doggie breath.

miss kenton

stapfam

Most of the "Loose" dogs on the mup just get in your way so it has taught me to go slow past them. There is the occasional one that from the attitude and noise it makes you know could be trouble but there are also the ones that want a bit of a run. Most go back when the owners call them but some stay with you for some distance. Had one several years ago that the owner did not control and made no attempt to call the dog out of my way. The owner was somewhat on the Lardy side and this was not far from a car park. Obviously drove to the car park- let the dog out for a run and was waiting for the dog to get back in the car.

Well the dog wanted exercise and ran along side me. The owner called the dog and the owner needed exercise more than the dog. Rode for about 1/2 mile with the dog alongside me and when i looked behind the owner was puffing up the trail. Pointed the dog back to its owner and it ran off into the woods. Rode off leaving the owner with more exercise than she had had in years and the dog enjoyed it too.

leob1

I had revenge. I was coasting along, and two JRT type dogs where sniffing along the curb. Neither noticed me until I rolled past. Both of them startled, and jumped away from the curb. My laughter was mixed with the mad barking fading behind me as I rolled away.

Dudelsack 

Dogs that give chase to a recumbent heading downhill are stupid.

Unless they're really well organized and have other mutts waiting for you at the bottom.

ModeratedUser150120149

gcottay

A few years ago, on a usual lunchtime ride I was chased by an Australian Shepherd for a while before turning around to lead him back to his elderly owner. After that, dog and owner were ready almost every day to repeat the festivities. All three of us had fun for two riding seasons until the owner grew ill and had to rehome her dog.

Retro Grouch 

Since I ride a recumbent now I suppose in a similar situation it would be good to keep up enough speed so the Dane wouldn't have time to lift a leg.

freedomrider1

I was just finishing a long ride and this black lab comes running out to the road to have some fun and i looked at him and said this is all i got right now.He looked sad and turned around.;[

RedC

My riding buddy had a dog running along beside him, no growling, no barking, he decided the dog was being friendly so he stopped pedaling and reached out to pet the dog. Then the dog bite a chunk out of his leg. Apparently, he was just waiting for the leg to stop moving

qcpmsame 

I live in a rural village area so loose dogs are the rule rather than the exception. Several of the ankle biters run along with me and have never made an ill move towards me, they just yap away until the get bored and wait until I return on the way home. The large dogs, save our retriever, don't want to run for some reason. It has never bothered me when they pace along.

Bill

Tractortom

I have a problem with people who let their pets run around loose...a few months ago, when I was still riding a Catrike, I was moving smartly along Hwy78 on the edge of the town of Buckhead Ridge, when a big black Lab came galloping out across the road to check me out. You could tell by his gait, and the way he moved that he was still a young dog, but big and happy. Well, he had his eyes on me, and not on traffic, when I heard THUMP...SCREECH...an oncoming SUV had clipped him, and at least the driver had the go sense to stop and see what had happened. I kept on riding, muttering to myself about how some folks shouldn't be allowed to keep pets.

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL

Kazzy

Once a few years ago I stopped and met a young Great Dane and his human companion walking along the canal. I'd seen them before and noticed this beautiful dog. I asked if I could take some pictures and the man said yes. The dog was a little shy of me at first. I got some great pictures of him running and playing with me. He wouldn't let me pet him though. When I went to leave and got back on my bike the dog decided to follow and gave chase which was fun until he caught up to me and put his mouth around my arm. He was careful not to bite down, he was just playing. But I realized that dog could easily take me off my bike and when he released me I sped up enough that he gave up and turned back to his owner. I've seen them out many times after that. I haven't seen the dog unleashed since then though.

CommuteCommando

Recently I passed a dog that was in a large fenced yard, and he took off running when he saw me, and I could swear he thought we were racing.

Flying Merkel

Many years ago a lab/husky mix showed up at my rear wheel. She trotted alongside until I got home. Ended up keeping her for 14 more years. Cora was a great dog. She had the Lab sweetness and the Husky stubbornness. When she misbehaved, she felt bad about it.

steve0257

When I was a kid we had a neighbor down the road with a St Bernard that thought it was a lap dog. When you would past their farm the dog would run out and try to jump up on the bike to ride with you. Nothing quite like a St Bernard trying to get between you and the handlebars.