RIP Spike, If you cycle and love dogs..you may enjoy this story.

On one of the routes I use at times I suddenly started having problems with a dog that had not been there on previous rides. Then one day out of the blue this long legged black and tan dog runs me down like I’m dragging an anchor, I just stopped and got off the bike. The dog acted like he genuinely wanted to eat me. It drives me nuts to have to adjust a route I like over a dog so went back that way again in a few days. Same reaction from the same dog, so I stopped again with the same result. After a few seconds of standard dog intimidation tactics, he trots off triumphantly home. This was the standard procedure for the next few weeks. I don’t use that route every ride so a few weeks might seem like more than it actually was.

Over time he started the chase with less and less zeal, but he was so friggin fast that I had to stop even if I managed to be halfway past his place when he spotted me. I mean amazingly fast. Finally one day, I stuck my hand out because he wasn’t acting so belligerent and mean. He gave me sniff, lingered for a second, and made his usual victorious trot back home with his hackles raised and tail in the air. The next time back, which was a few days later he made the usual chase, I stopped as usual, but he was a completely different temperament. I stuck my hand back out, he gave it a lick so I gave him a pat on the head. He trotted back home looking pretty damn happy with himself.

So, on my next trip by he was ready and made chase, of course I had to stop, but he seemed happy to see me so I stuck my hand out again, and he instantly stuck his head under it looking for some attention. I happily obliged. We had quite the friendly encounter that day. Lots of pets and ear scratching, like we were long lost friends. Little did I know the can of worms I’d just opened.

After that day, every time I rode by there I had to stop and visit that long legged black and tan speedster. We both started looking forward to the visits, more than I’d like to admit I’m afraid. I know he loved it because the greetings were like coming home to my own dog. I started planning longer rides past him so I’d have an excuse to stop for a visit, and a reason for quick scheduled break. Killing two proverbial birds I guess.

Finally, after several weeks I met his owners. Learned his name and found out he was a Greyhound/Rott mix, and was a bit of a senior. I knew that with all that silver on his snout, and he was quite the Houdini when it came to fences and kennels. So much so they finally gave up. We do live rural, so free ranging dogs are kind of the norm.

Anyhoo, all this happened in 2016. Fast forward to a few weeks ago on a ride and there was no one to stop and visit, no enthusiastic greeting. After 3 or 4 trips by I caught one of his owners out checking the mail. I asked about him, he had gotten very ill and had been put to sleep. I felt like I was saying goodbye to an old friend, and in a way I guess I was. I had reached the point that I looked forward to those breaks to cool off by the by big live oak there and have a quick visit with Spike. I told his owner how sorry I was and pedaled home, feeling a bit empty and sad. It’d be a blatant lie If I said wasn’t going to miss him.

Lift a glass to Ole Spike.

 

Great story! So good of you to show great patience with him! I am sure you will miss your friend as if he were your own dog. Know that you brought him joy, even though he never lived with you. The hurt is real, and this too will heal eventually...

 

Cheers to Ole Spike. Great story! I’ll admit, I choked up a bit. It’s funny how you make friends in the strangest ways sometimes. Really cool how you befriended him. Definitely wouldn’t of thought that it would’ve grown into that.

 

I used to ride on this country road with a dog that would chase me.

About the same story but I used the dog for a sprint.

One day he was smart and beat me to the chase. I thought I was going to lose a leg.

He just ran beside me though and I stopped and petted him every day.
I moved so I never saw him again but will always remember him.
I just called him dog

 

Very nice story.

There may or may not have been some tearing up on my end.

Thanks.

Kirk