“OH, MAN!”

   While leaping over the wall and reaching over it paramedic John Gage was both relieved and frustrated.    Relieved because he had retained the purse that some goon had stolen from an elderly lady.  The thief had managed to escape, however, and this left the young man highly frustrated. If he had just gotten over that wall, John was sure the thief would be in his custody by now.  Little did Johnny know that his greatest challenge in this bizarre chase stood behind him, ready to attack.

~~~~~

   While attempting to catch his breath after the long chase, Gage realized that he never wanted to be a cop.

   “Oh man, I can’t believe this!”

   The handsome young man turned around to meet the gaze of a mixed breed dog, but all he noticed was teeth.  Thinking quickly, yet moving very slowly, the dark haired man searched for a way out of this “typical Johnny” situation.  He had to escape this mass of teeth and growling, but how?

   Glancing across the squared yard he saw little help, and began to wonder if he would ever be able to make an escape from this creature.  He could yell for his partner and their trainee, but John knew he was too far away for them to hear his pleas.  Suddenly the dog began to move the slightest bit closer and seem to intensify his fierceness.  By this time, Johnny was beginning to think his fate was sealed.  He then noticed a possible way out of the situation.  On the opposite side of the yard was a water hose, which happened to be hooked to a faucet.  He also quickly noticed that the hose had a power sprayer on the end…perfect!  If he could only make his way to the hose, John Gage had a chance to escape.  Clinging to the wall with all the strength he had, he began to move very slowly closer to his salvation.

   “Okay now partner, let’s just take this slow and easy.”

   Looking at the hungry dog, the wirey paramedic was not at all sure of himself, but didn’t want his nemesis to know his fear.  John remembered something that his grandfather had taught him years ago…never allow an animal to sense any fear in you.

   Keeping eye contact with the dog, the young paramedic very slowly made his way around the wall clinging to it with all his might, and breathing a sigh of relief with each step.  He was wrestling with his composure too.  The paramedic’s brain told him to run, but he would not allow fear to overtake himself.

   Eyeing the ever-present dog, and talking to him seemed to make the task a little easier.  All Johnny got in response to soft talk and reassurance was teeth and deep growls.  Okay, I’m half way there; I can make it!  He took in a deep breath as he began the second half of his journey.

~~~~~

   John was aware the he had been “trapped” only minutes, but it seemed as if he was in this predicament for hours.  Moving quietly while attempting to convince the angry dog that he was not his enemy, John Gage had made his journey three-quarters to the hose.  The shaggy dog followed his every step with unrelenting growling, and an occasional bark.  Just as Johnny was about to reach the hose, the giant dog lunged at the paramedic.  With a scream and a jump, Johnny suddenly remembered the wound on his hand from the chase, but now he had other wounds to dodge.  This dog was obviously in attack mode, and the young man had to make his move soon.  As he saw the dog make another leap toward him, the handsome man grabbed the hose as quickly as he could and hoped that it worked.  He sprayed the animal with a gush of water as he leapt over the fence.  The water managed to stop the dog immediately.

   “Oh man, that was close.”  Gage admitted this aloud as he caught this breath again.

   “I’ll never tell the guys about this one.  It’ll remain between me and Rover over there.”

~~~~~

   As he finally neared the squad, Roy pointed out to the lady that his partner was coming with her purse.  Their trainee was disappointed that the criminal got away, but was glad that the woman got her purse and life savings back.  After drinking from the canteen, and sharing some water with the overly zealous trainee, Johnny told Roy that they needed to drop by Rampart.  After all, he did tangle with an old nail during the chase, and likely needed a tetanus shot.  If they only knew…

THE END