Big Black Beast

This is the Big Black Beast herself!

So the story goes…there is a ginourmous dog that lives across the street from us here in our Panamanian neighborhood. It’s a purebred Rottweiler, that weighs at least 150 pounds.  It’s unusual to actually see a purebred dog here in Panama because most of them are usually mutts, due to all the strays! Anyway, everyday when walking passed the house the dog usually lets out a ferocious bark and growls on his hind legs until we are out of sight.  If the gate wasn’t there, it seems as if we would all be eaten already! I had a scary feeling that before we left Chitré, that dog would some how find a way out of the fence. 

We had a potluck at our instructor’s house tonight.  Each house brought a dish, and we all ate together, while discussing upcoming events and planning activities.  We left around 9 o’clock, and of course it was already dark outside.  My other roommates had already walked home, so it was just Brittany and myself.  We always walk home after dark, and it hasn’t been a problem before, until tonight that is.  As we approached the end of the street I spotted the dog sniffing behind a few bushes. Taking a second glance, I realized it was outside of the fence! I really wasn’t sure what to do; we had to pass the dog to get home! We slowly turned around, hoping the dog didn’t see us, and sprinted back to our instructor’s house! The dog never ended up chasing us, thank goodness! After gaining some confidence and losing sight of the dog we decided to once again, walk home.  This time, as we approached the end of the street, the owner was pulling into their driveway.  How perfect, I thought! I explained to her, in Spanish that her dog was loose and we were afraid to walk by. I asked her the dog’s name, and almost flipped when I heard the answer. The dog we knew as the Big Black Beast was actually named Minnie, and a girl at that! She explained that the dog was nice when it was outside of the fence, and barked excessively and acted vicious inside because it was protecting her family. Either way, I’d rather not take any chances!

After a near heart attack and a nightmare come true, I am so happy to say that I am home safely! I still can’t get over the fact that Miss Minnie got out, and my heart still pounds just thinking about our quick getaway! Crossing my fingers for no more scary dog encounters!

XOXO, Jenny