artificial insemination kit for humans
I began power walking back in high school. Living in a bustling neighborhood, I loved to head out after classes with my Walkman, letting my mind wander. This tradition has been my anchor through the years.
In college, I walked with my friends, and later, as I started my career, it became a way to decompress after being indoors all day. After having children, strapping them into the stroller for an hour of fresh air was revitalizing and allowed me to reconnect with myself. Even on days when I felt drained, getting outside reenergized me.
As my kids grew and were in school full-time, I decided to take up running. I discovered a few routes I enjoyed, and I’ve been following them ever since.
Some people have asked if I ever feel anxious about dogs while running. My answer was always no. For over thirty years, my experiences with dogs during my walks or runs had been pleasant—one time, a friendly golden retriever even followed me for three miles and decided to visit my house.
However, that all changed a few weeks ago. I was running, inspired by a podcast and lost in my thoughts, when I heard barking from a house I frequently passed, less than a mile from home. Having run this route for six years, I wasn’t concerned.
Suddenly, two large dogs were at my feet. One lunged at me and bit my arm, tearing my long sleeve shirt. Realizing she wasn’t going to back off, I yelled for help. She jumped again, this time biting me harder.
The other dog was very agitated, and I feared he might attack as well. Thankfully, both dogs eventually ran back home. Although my injuries were painful, they weren’t severe. I recognized how unprepared I was to face such a situation, which prompted me to get pepper spray to wear on my wrist; I won’t venture out again without it.
If you enjoy walking or running, please consider doing the same. It doesn’t matter if the dogs in your neighborhood seem “friendly”—this dog was friendly too. She had never bitten anyone before, and her family had three kids. Even with shock collars on, both dogs broke through their fence to chase me down the road. I shudder to think what might have happened if the other dog had joined in.
An animal control officer mentioned that dogs often target the face, and I was lucky that did not happen to me. He also noted that dog bites on runners or walkers are more common than people realize, often involving dogs that have never shown aggression before.
I don’t want to give up running; it’s an essential part of my life. I love being outdoors and cannot bear the idea of confining myself to a treadmill. However, I also don’t want to live in fear during my runs. I am certainly more anxious now than I was before. Knowing I have a means of protection gives me peace of mind, and I strongly recommend you take similar precautions, regardless of where you live—even if you have a walking or running partner. I don’t know why it took me so long to prepare, aside from my belief that such an incident would never happen to me.
The universe has a way of reminding us that we have limited control over unexpected events. This experience has made me more vigilant for the future.
If you want to read more about related topics, check out this insightful post on home insemination kits, or learn more about the process at Make a Mom. You can also find excellent resources on Kindbody’s blog that cover pregnancy and home insemination.