Beware of the dogs

Those of you more familiar with my history with dogs understand that I'm not too fond of them. A well-raised and a familiar dog doesn't pose any threat but whenever I'm faced with a new dog it gives me some degree of uncertainty even if it would be a smiling white Westie straight out of a dog food commercial. Mainly I'm over my cynophobia originating from bad childhood experiences but I have to tell that being walked home at night by 20 or so stray dogs barking and growling at me does give me an unpleasant adrenaline rush. Yeah, shouldn't be walking on their territory after dawn but unfortunately there aren't any signs posted besides public roads marking the territories of different packs.

And the original inventor of the quote "dogs can smell fear" didn't make it any easier and those 500m seemed like the longest ones I've ever had to walk. Mainly it is the feeling of unpredictability about canines that creeps me out and having seen some dogs in the beach bleeding as a result of some territorial disputes didn't feel too reassuring either.

Made it safely back to the hotel room though but my hands were still shaking for a good half an hour after closing and latching the door behind me. And not five minutes after locking myself in I heard someone coming up the stairs and a dog right outside my door growling quite aggressively at him. Part of the staff probably and accustomed to dogs as he was he just said something and the dog calmed down but I would've probably been too afraid to pass the hound if it would have been there waiting for me.

Weirdest thing is that during the daytime they are really cuddly and cute and I wouldn't have any problems petting them.

(Cats on the other hand are at least honestly vicious and hostile most of the time so you know if it is okay to approach them or not. Personally I can't say the same thing about dogs).

But still I'd say that India is a safe place to be in. :)