I decided I wanted to get healthier. I know I will never be skinny by today's standards, but I was happy with myself, for the most part. I mean we all have things we don't like about ourselves. But I was happy.
So with my new goal of a longer life, I decided to do what I could to get healthier. I had no idea what was in store for me.
So it was late one night when I decided to go for a walk/jog in the park. I had been working some crazy hours and I was trying to squeeze in exercise when I could find the time. That usually meant after 8 pm, when normal people were home putting kids to bed and clearing dinner dishes. But I had a great playlist on my phone and I wasn't easily scared. One of my best friends in High school taught a great self defense class, plus I have 3 much older brothers who tortured me as a child.
So I was out in the park after dark with my tunes cranked, my flashlight strapped to my wrist and I was letting the day go. I was letting go of all the stress, I was letting go of all the family bullshit that I had been dealing with for way to long. I still had a hard time believing that my Mom's death 10 years ago could have imploded my family. I mean we were so close before. And now I am on my own.
I should have been paying attention. I realize that now. I should have noticed how dark it really was. I should have noticed how unusually quiet it was. But I was so focused on my own breathing that I didn't notice what I should have.
I don't really know what happened, it all happened so fast, and it was very disorienting.
I heard a low growl, and I thought that I had snuck up on a stray dog. I have always loved dogs so I wasn't nervous, I was sure that it was just a scared and hungry puppy. I slowed down to see if I could see anything, and to see if the dog would come out of hiding in case it needed medical attention. In hindsight I should have kept up my faster pace.
I saw some eye's glowing from the bushes. This time the growl was a little louder, and a little more menacing. I was a little more worried that this big dog was really hurt, and if I wasn't careful he would hurt me. Not meaning to I am sure, but a scared and hurt animal can't always control their reactions.
I decided to keep walking and see if he would calm down when I was farther away, and then I could call animal control and wait for them to get here. I was about 5 feet away from the growling and glowing eyes when I turned my back to the area so I could grab my phone and take a drink from my water bottle.