The Rabbit and the Pole

It has been so hot around St. Louis that I haven't been walking Maddie as much as I probably should. When I got home Monday night the weather was actually nice. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and take Maddie for a walk while I waited for Will to get home. It was probably about 9:45 and so I decided not to stray too far away from our house. I just have to say that I love walking at night because it is so quiet and peaceful.

Before I tell what happened I need to explain some logistics.... Maddie walks on my right side and so I put my left hand through the loop on the leash. I hold the leash close to Maddie's body with my right hand to keep her from pulling (which she NEVER does.) Since it was after dark I was carrying my mace in my right hand with the leash. I had my keys in my left hand. Can you picture it? OK, so this is what happened...

Maddie and I were headed back home and were about 2 1/2 blocks from our house. We were walking down a very quiet street and passed a bunny in someones front yard. I was so proud of Maddie because she didn't try to run over and get it. She really didn't pay attention to it at all. The rabbit stood still as we passed and started hopping off after we had our backs to it. Well, Maddie must have heard the grass rustle or something because she looked back and she.... (I know you are thinking that she chased after the bunny).... got scared and took off running down the sidewalk AWAY from the bunny. Since I had my mace in my right hand with the leash, the leash slipped out of my grip. My left hand was still inside the leash loop and so when she took off she pulled me along with her. She was running at top speed and I was running behind her in a skirt and flip-flops trying to keep up. She turned toward the street and all I could think of was "I'm going to die!" I tried to pull my wrist loose from the leash to just let her go but I couldn't get it out (because of the keys in my hand.) I then got a mental picture of me falling and her continuing to run and drag me down the street. The next thing I knew we were headed straight toward a telephone pole next to the street. I finally yelled, "MADDIE. STOP!!!!" and as I slipped and hit the telephone pole straight on, Maddie stopped in her tracks. She stood there and looked at me while I peeled myself from the telephone pole. I ended up hitting my shin on one of the edges of the pole. (It wasn't really round but more like a hexagon.) I hobbled the 2 1/2 blocks homes while trying to hold back the tears. When I took an inventory of my injuries, I found a long cut on my shin with a huge knot underneath it. It hurt A LOT!!! My big toe also hurt but it was only scratched a little.

From this little adventure I learned first hand how strong Maddie really is. And boy is she STRONG!!! I also learned that she is scared of rustling grass at night (or cute little brown rabbits.) So much for being protective of me. She left me behind to be attacked by the bunny!!!