Meet Fang

When I announced to one of my mom's sisters that I was considering getting a dog, a greyhound, she laughed. She laughed because coupled with this conversation was the fact that I had moved into a groundfloor apartment which made me more vulnerable to crazy folks entering without invitation, but I knew that one top deterrent to potential intruders is the presence of a large dog with large teeth. Right?

Enter the Greyhound.

"With his quiet dignity and independence, the Greyhound is often likened to a cat.

Once past the puppy stage, he is calm and quiet indoors, moving lightly and gracefully.

This sensitive breed prefers peace and quiet and soft-spoken people. He does not do well in an environment with frequent tension or loud voices.

Most Greyhounds are politely reserved with strangers, and prefer to lean against their owner's leg rather than approaching people they don't know.

Greyhounds are non-aggressive. They tend to freeze when challenged or attacked.

This quiet dog seldom barks."

This merits my aunts laughter at the idea of my getting a greyhound and simultaneously thinking he may be a guard dog. (She did suggest I get him a collar with spikes and call him "Fang" to at least appear intimidating.)

The first half year, Silas would distance himself as far as possible from strangers and sometimes not-so-strangers. Now a year later, he will acknowledge someone's presence and may even go up to him or her, but still when a guest rings the buzzer and enters my home, Si goes straight to his bed, lies down and cautiously observes at a safe distance.

Not a guard dog. Until now.

Though he weighs 60lbs+, Silas has a small bladder. If I do not time his outings properly, I will be woken up mid-dream with his request to be taken out. I've learned these are not to be ignored.

Recently, whilst half asleep during one of these outings, I held his leash as Si pranced around the base of a tree to relieve himself.

At this moment, a man had been dropped off and was heading toward the entrance of an apartment near where I was standing. He was livid, grumbling and every movement was out of anger to the point that he furiously kicked a pile of leaves and sticks and sent them scattering. Instantly, my docile dog sprang to action, lunged at the man and barked viciously. Thankfully, we were far enough away that no one was in danger of being bitten or beaten, but indeed it was an event that though my heart was racing, I was proud of this little friend and felt (and feel) safe with a bodyguard at my side.

So, I have this message to any potential intruder:

Beware of Dog!