I had a traumatic experience with neighborhood dogs when I was in gradeschool. I was a very mischievous child back then. Very playful and have that I don’t care attitude. I run around the neighborhood like I own it (we live in a very sheltered subdivision in Quezon City back then and we all know the neighbors life family, I miss that kind of neighborhood to be honest.) Anyway, since I was the michievous one, I would run around the neighborhood like I own it.
One time, for some odd reason , a number of neighborhood dogs got rid of their leash and started chasing after me! OMG! I was out numbered, I think there were about 6 dogs after me. When I felt I cannot outrun them I froze standing still. I could not even scream for help. I just froze. Fortunately, one of the neighbors saw my dire situation and started shooing off the dogs. I was still in shock. When all the dogs were gone I cried in relief. I thought it was my end. Since then, I am scared shit with big dogs. I was maybe a 3 foot tall person back then and everything seems bigger than they really are but that was an imprint on my head I can never erase until now.
Recently, I was at the GSK and DOH event about Rabies Awareness where they revealed their target of a Rabies Free Philippines by 2020 by pushing for the #BilisCampaign. One of the guest there was the Pinoy Dog Whisperer Lestre Zapanta with one of his trained dogs Aquia, a female Cocker Spaniel x Border Colie cross breed or Cocker Spaniel x Golden Retriever cross breed. While it looked really cute and calm I still will not have guts to pet it myself especially after hearing from Lestre that it was a biter a year ago!
Because of my revelation of my fear of dogs I was called in the stage to dare pet the dog. I was scared. But the heck while getting bitten hurts, maybe it was time for me to face my fears, plus I was a bit secured knowing the dog trainor was there and I am surrounded with anti-rabies people who will give me an anti-rabies shot as soon as I get bitten! Plus Kuya Tonipet assured me he got my back (he was the host that day). Yes, the things I do for my blog. Haha!
He asked me to try petting the Aquia. I reached out my hand over her head with a little hesitation. It was a big no, no, said Lestre. If Aquia was not trained he would have bit me. Standing up with my height against his I am already a threat, what more with my open hands and fingers over his head. I am a stranger to her. Threat / fear triggers biting as defense mechanism for dogs.
The best way for me to pet a strangers dog is to sit down on my side and the dog side, let the dog smell me for a bit to familiarize himself and if the dog is comfy with my presence I can reach out under his neck and tickle like tickling a cat to pet. It was also my first time to have a dog feed straight on my palm like whoa!
Why was this taught? Because dog bite is the #1 cause of rabies in the country 99% of reported case of human rabies are from dog bite, only about 1% came from cats, according to the Department of Health (DoH) and National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP).
Newsflash! Rabies don’t only come from dog bite, they can also come from dog scratch or even dog saliva.
The BILIS Campaign is a disease awareness campaign aligned to the Rabies Free Philippines Advocacy. The goal of the campaign is to increase awareness on proper treatment, management and prevention of rabies infection. This tagline communicates a sense of urgency to fight rabies immediately. BILIS would stand for the 3 simple steps on how to manage animal bite exposure.
BI – Bilisan ang paghugas ng sugat (imeediately wash the puncture area)
LI – Linisin ng alcohol (clean with alcohol or betadine)
S – Sumangguni sa doktor ukol sa tamang pag-gamot ng sugat (Immediate consult a doctor for proper wound dressing, this also includes sending the dog who bit to a veterinarian for observation)
Another important factor that was stressed with the anti-rabies #BilisCampaign is responsible pet ownership. Pet owners should always have an anti-rabies shot for their dogs every year, and even if the dog is trained they should always have them on a leash and don’t let them roam around without your supervision.
Also, dog bite centers are available all over the coutry and they all give free anti-rabies shots. Ask your health office or barangay offices as to where to find a dog bite centre near you.
How about you, do you have a traumatic experience with dogs before or any story about rabies? Have more to share? Let me know on the comments below.
Stay gorgeous everyone!
