News worthy? Maybe not, but I was bitten in the crotch last Sunday while visiting in Northern New Mexico by a 100+ lb. mongrel that stalked and ambushed me suddenly. Not that I wasn't aware of the threat--the animal never did take my scent much less lick my offered hand earlier in the day. But I was following the owner's direction "not" to make direct eye contact and to maintain a non-aggresive demeanor with the animal.
The attack was silent. Not even barred teeth or raised hackles. I had been watching it circle in on me interacting playfully with the women in the yard until it was about 5 yards off with no obstacles between us. As instructed, I watched with a peripheral gaze and took a 3/4 stance. Its first step seemed promising: perhaps we'd make friends now? Then it bum-rushed my dick!
I've watched videos and have practiced a movement like our Za drill to "prepare" for this moment! I "know" to offer a forearm (as well as raising the leg) to protect the crotch. And I "know" to keep that forearm penged to the rib cage when the dog latches to keep it from being able to pull your arm out of its socket. And I "know" to use the free hand (of the arm raised to protect the throat) to gouge the dog's eyes. Yeah, I "know"!
But, no, I didn't actually get into the defensive posture in the time available. Didn't get to deliver the protective push kick to the animal's chest. I did somehow manage to get my knee heading in the right direction with enough force to keep the animal from actually grabbing my dick or nutsack or even getting an actual latching hold in the inguinal fold.
And I must have rooted, because I didn't fall or crumple. I also didn't shout, or curse, or strike out as the animal caromed off.
Only after its owner removed it, (still all in silence) did I release my stance, go to the ground, and inspect the wounding. No pumping from a femoral artery. Equipment in tact. Cool, now for hours of frustration seeking medical attention . . . . And listening to asinine theorizing about canine psychology . . . .
So the encounter has raised lots of issues for me. Some specifically about martial arts training, and that's why I'm writing for your responses here.
In many ways I feel I failed as a fighter in this event. I would have liked to correct the situation preemptively. I would have liked to have had a defensive posture to dissuade the attack. (As a paperboy in my youth I did much better actually making eye contact and acting tough with ban dogs!) I certainly would have liked to have gotten into the defensive posture I'd prepared. And, yes, I guess I would have liked to get in a few kicks, eye gouges--maybe even a neck break--or at least a couple of impressive yells during--or even after--the attack!!!!!
But I'm also getting the idea that fighting is not necessarily the same as self-defense. I withstood an attack--did not aggravate it. I minimized injury without inviting more. And held my stance with focus and readiness. I did not cause others to get involved and bit trying to break up a dog fight. And I remained verbally civil with the individual responsible for my attack who I now depended upon for the medical care I would require for actual survival going forward.
Anyhow, I'm hoping some of you may have insight into this type of encounter and into the relevance of our art and training with non-human adversaries, animal owners, the urge for revenge, the silence of violence . . . . defenses that work . . . .
. . . . And even, as was suggested by at least one canine psuedo-psychologist, whether our training and preparedness actually makes us a more attractive--even deserving--target for other aggressive males, animal or otherwise. Or at least less deserving of sympathy if an attack occurs, as we can--unlike, say a small child or defenseless woman--just handle it.
The attack was silent. Not even barred teeth or raised hackles. I had been watching it circle in on me interacting playfully with the women in the yard until it was about 5 yards off with no obstacles between us. As instructed, I watched with a peripheral gaze and took a 3/4 stance. Its first step seemed promising: perhaps we'd make friends now? Then it bum-rushed my dick!
I've watched videos and have practiced a movement like our Za drill to "prepare" for this moment! I "know" to offer a forearm (as well as raising the leg) to protect the crotch. And I "know" to keep that forearm penged to the rib cage when the dog latches to keep it from being able to pull your arm out of its socket. And I "know" to use the free hand (of the arm raised to protect the throat) to gouge the dog's eyes. Yeah, I "know"!
But, no, I didn't actually get into the defensive posture in the time available. Didn't get to deliver the protective push kick to the animal's chest. I did somehow manage to get my knee heading in the right direction with enough force to keep the animal from actually grabbing my dick or nutsack or even getting an actual latching hold in the inguinal fold.
And I must have rooted, because I didn't fall or crumple. I also didn't shout, or curse, or strike out as the animal caromed off.
Only after its owner removed it, (still all in silence) did I release my stance, go to the ground, and inspect the wounding. No pumping from a femoral artery. Equipment in tact. Cool, now for hours of frustration seeking medical attention . . . . And listening to asinine theorizing about canine psychology . . . .
So the encounter has raised lots of issues for me. Some specifically about martial arts training, and that's why I'm writing for your responses here.
In many ways I feel I failed as a fighter in this event. I would have liked to correct the situation preemptively. I would have liked to have had a defensive posture to dissuade the attack. (As a paperboy in my youth I did much better actually making eye contact and acting tough with ban dogs!) I certainly would have liked to have gotten into the defensive posture I'd prepared. And, yes, I guess I would have liked to get in a few kicks, eye gouges--maybe even a neck break--or at least a couple of impressive yells during--or even after--the attack!!!!!
But I'm also getting the idea that fighting is not necessarily the same as self-defense. I withstood an attack--did not aggravate it. I minimized injury without inviting more. And held my stance with focus and readiness. I did not cause others to get involved and bit trying to break up a dog fight. And I remained verbally civil with the individual responsible for my attack who I now depended upon for the medical care I would require for actual survival going forward.
Anyhow, I'm hoping some of you may have insight into this type of encounter and into the relevance of our art and training with non-human adversaries, animal owners, the urge for revenge, the silence of violence . . . . defenses that work . . . .
. . . . And even, as was suggested by at least one canine psuedo-psychologist, whether our training and preparedness actually makes us a more attractive--even deserving--target for other aggressive males, animal or otherwise. Or at least less deserving of sympathy if an attack occurs, as we can--unlike, say a small child or defenseless woman--just handle it.