When I was a kid I lived on a street with two dangerous dogs. I would always look down the road before I went to school to see if they had been let out. Sometimes, I would wait for someone to walk down the road. Once the dog was distracted by them I could hopefully get to school in the other direction.
However, there were two dogs, so sometimes the only way out was over the back wall by the toilet, climb over, pick up my satchel on the floor and run. No none, adult or child could escape their aggressive barking even if they were tied up. They made street life miserable for everyone except their owners, who were predictably very much like their dogs. One or two people had been bitten or had their trousers torn but they never reported the dogs, that would mean an even worse confrontation with the owners.
Anyway, a day came when the dogs began to bark and growl at one another instead of us. This was interesting, because for as long as I could recall they seemed to agree on each owning one side of the street, but here they were, snarling and circling, neither willing to back down. So we watched and hoped; after a lot of threats our hopes were realised.
They began to fight. The street echoed with snarls, snaps, yaps, and squeals of pain as blood mixed with a thick layer of saliva was splashed across the street. Fifteen seconds of aggtession, while bared teeth full of hair and torn skin drooled and slavered.
I was fascinated, as were my schoolchums and neighbours. Curtains were drawn back and windows were opened by former victims who wanted to watch the entertainment. Although we never admitted it I think we all felt the same way. We hoped these two bastards would kill one another so that we can be rid of them once and for all.
We were however, to be disappointed. After less than a minute they both slunk back to their houses to lick their wounds. After a few days, they went back to terrorising the estate, but the strange thing was I wasn’t as scared as I had been. After that day I could usually walk by without making eye contact and be left alone.
It was fun to watch though, fun to see them turn inwards and savage one another for a change, fun to see how quickly they backed off from a real confrontation.
Who Dares Shares
Robin Horsfall
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The public slaying may end but the lust to be the victor and have revenge will bring out different forms of attack from both dogs.
One might try to join a different pack .
Yep - I'm definitely going to see if I can get to Disneyland to check what type of watch Mickey Mouse is wearing!