Fear lingers after dog attack

DEAR ABBY: For health reasons, I had been walking during my lunch break at work. That ended last summer when someone unleashed his dog between his house and his car. The dog saw me on the sidewalk, charged, jumped on me and bit me. Thankfully, I put my arm up, so it only got my arm, but now I’m terrified to walk outside for fear of being attacked again.

The bite was nothing compared to the trauma. I’m afraid the fear will be with me for the rest of my life. No one thinks their dog would hurt someone, but I learned the hard way it’s not always true. I wish dog owners would be more responsible, not only for their sake, but also for their dog’s and other people’s. Do you have any thoughts? — SHELLSHOCKED IN MICHIGAN

DEAR SHELL-SHOCKED: When the attack happened, you should have reported it to animal control and given them the address of the homeowner. If the dog’s owner didn’t volunteer to see you got help for your injury — and that includes your emotional trauma — you should discuss it with a lawyer. If that dog had been a large one, you could have been seriously injured.

Go online to the Humane Society’s helpful section on this topic, www. nodogbites.org.

As for my thoughts, I think you should resume your exercise routine whenever the weather permits.

DEAR ABBY: My son was cremated as he had requested, but he also asked that his ashes be spread far away from home, which would require us to take a long trip to do. Would it be disrespectful not to accommodate that part of his request? If we did that, we would have no part of him near or with us. Do you have an opinion? — SO FAR AWAY

DEAR SO FAR AWAY: Yes, but first allow me to offer my condolences for the loss of your son. If you feel the need to have his cremains physically close to you, do what will bring you comfort. Divide the ashes, keep some of them and honor his wishes with the rest.