WARNING: This story may not be suitable for small children!
So I just got home from our family vacation, where we spent a week in British Columbia at my wife Raylene’s family reunion. It was in the Caribou, a fairly remote area in B.C., and where her parents have a cabin on the lake.
We had a great time at the lake, and our 2-year old Cooper loves the water. We headed into town for the reunion, and unfortunately I ended up learning the lesson of why it can be dangerous to break up a dog fight.
We were at the house of one of Raylene’s uncles, and there were a lot of people (and dogs) around. Our biggest one, Bear, was on leash with Raylene when one of the roaming dogs came over to check out Bear. Before we knew it, they lunged at each other, and were in a death grip.
I ran over to help Raylene and tried to break them apart with my leg first, and then when that didn’t work, I tried to grab them both by the scruff of the neck.
Unfortunately, I missed, and one of them (not sure which) clamped down on my arm, giving me a nice puncture and a lot of bruising.
I broke them up, but with the adrenaline and the fact I hadn’t eaten much in the day, I became light headed and needed to sit down. I began to feel nauseous and needed a water, so I tried to get up and go and get a bottle of water.
That’s the last thing I remember.
I then woke up being carried over onto the lawn, and becoming aware of blood all over me, and my face feeling like it was on fire.
I had fainted on my feet, stumbled a couple of steps, and smashed my face into the tire of a parked car. I then fell onto the pavement and lay there for a few seconds.
Nice holiday huh?
Everyone was freaked out, the ambulance came and I ended up with 14 stitches in my face. Not a pleasant experience, I don’t recommend it.
Here’s what the result is (this was taken the day it happened, which was this past Saturday afternoon).
I’ve known for many years that you should never attempt to break up a dog fight with your hands. I tried, and this is what I get for going against that principle I guess!
So I’m not looking too good, but I’m feeling a lot better now. The ego’s a bit bruised, and I wish I had a better story to tell .. but glad that nothing more serious happened.
As for the dogs, Bear ended up winning the fight, taking a bit of the other dog’s ear with him. The other dog started it, so Bear was just defending himself .. but seeing your dog in a fight is never a positive thing.
I had to get a tetanus shot since it’s been years since I had one, and the bite is really not that big of a deal. One puncture, and then a lot of bruising on the other side where they held on for a few seconds.
I don’t really care which dog it was, since they were in the moment and not trying to actually bite me, but just defending themselves however they could.
I’m just glad to be back to the confines of our home in Canmore, where I can relax a bit and recover from the ordeal.
What does this have to do with being an entrepreneur?
Not a lot really, but I thought it might get me a little bit of sympathy from people if I showed this awful picture!
And truly, one of the underlying secrets to success as an entrepreneur is being authentic .. and I don’t think I can get any more authentic than telling this kind of ridiculous story, and showing the results of a foolish move I made!]]>
93 Responses
Thanks for sharing Greg. I know that I for one appreciate blog posts which aren't strictly speaking related to the business that the writer is in. It makes the writer appear more human and shows authenticity.
That being said, I wonder if you have any guidelines for how often an entrepreneur should post non-business related blogs?
Thanks for sharing Greg. I know that I for one appreciate blog posts which aren't strictly speaking related to the business that the writer is in. It makes the writer appear more human and shows authenticity.
That being said, I wonder if you have any guidelines for how often an entrepreneur should post non-business related blogs?
Greg, that looks pretty nasty but my sympathy goes to your wife…..it is good that you are authentic…but she was the one that had to deal with the turmoil….so this time she needs some credit I'm thinking….hope your face heals soon….
Greg, that looks pretty nasty but my sympathy goes to your wife…..it is good that you are authentic…but she was the one that had to deal with the turmoil….so this time she needs some credit I'm thinking….hope your face heals soon….
Youch! Thanks goodness it wasn't more serious. Hope you heal nicely.
Some years back, I was at a family reunion and my uncle's dog attacked my nephew, ripping apart and scarring his beautiful little face for life.
Dogs, in my view, have no place at a family reunion – or any other celebratory event – and belong at home or the off-leash park
Youch! Thanks goodness it wasn't more serious. Hope you heal nicely.
Some years back, I was at a family reunion and my uncle's dog attacked my nephew, ripping apart and scarring his beautiful little face for life.
Dogs, in my view, have no place at a family reunion – or any other celebratory event – and belong at home or the off-leash park
OUCH! Greg – you look like you definitely lost the fight. Thanks for the reminder – and giving us a peek into your holiday. 🙂
OUCH! Greg – you look like you definitely lost the fight. Thanks for the reminder – and giving us a peek into your holiday. 🙂
Looks horrible and soar – Greg. I hope that you heal without scarring. I extend my sympathies to you. My husband, Paul was working on the deck yesterday and ended up getting a nail in the top of his foot – like you he needed a tetanus shot. Lesson to be thankful for is that we live in Canada where medicine is accessible. We are blessed to have this freedom. Glad you had hospital care. Glad that you will recover and nothing more serious happened.
Suggest a bucket of water if you cannot get a dog sitter
You were foolishly brave & lucky.
Get well soon
Suggest a bucket of water if you cannot get a dog sitter
You were foolishly brave & lucky.
Get well soon
Oh NO! So sorry! Hope you heal quickly. BTW – your family Photo is lovely. They will take good care of you!
Maryalice
Well, that's definitely 100% authentic Greg! Holy mackerel…definitely doesn't look like fun. My Dad's a veterinarian so I learned that lesson at an early age, never to repeat it! All the best in your recovery (body and ego)…looking forward to speaking with you again soon.
Well, that's definitely 100% authentic Greg! Holy mackerel…definitely doesn't look like fun. My Dad's a veterinarian so I learned that lesson at an early age, never to repeat it! All the best in your recovery (body and ego)…looking forward to speaking with you again soon.
Being a dog lover, been there done that — at least 10 times. You learned several lessons that day. 1. Five small meals a day. 2. Always keep hydrated. 3. Adrenaline has a great deal of power over the body. 4. A proper breathing technique is more than just sucking wind. And 5. Someone had to break up the fight! Personally, I'm proud of you both. Bear did NOT start the fight, and YOU put a stop to it. Two valiant men! They don't come much better than that.
Being a dog lover, been there done that — at least 10 times. You learned several lessons that day. 1. Five small meals a day. 2. Always keep hydrated. 3. Adrenaline has a great deal of power over the body. 4. A proper breathing technique is more than just sucking wind. And 5. Someone had to break up the fight! Personally, I'm proud of you both. Bear did NOT start the fight, and YOU put a stop to it. Two valiant men! They don't come much better than that.
Awwww!!!! Sorry to see you like this Greg 🙁 Thanks for the recommendation!__Be well :)____Love and light,____Lourdes Elardo-Gant, http://www.lourdeselardo-gant.com____
Awwww!!!! Sorry to see you like this Greg 🙁 Thanks for the recommendation!__Be well :)____Love and light,____Lourdes Elardo-Gant, http://www.lourdeselardo-gant.com____
Sorry you had a run-in like that — luckily for you that you weren't hurt much worse!
You're right that blog posts with a little personal touch go a long way to building a client base. I often put something that has happened in my posts as well, particularly if I'm writing on a weekend or heading off on vacation.
Take care of yourself — and your face!
Sorry you had a run-in like that — luckily for you that you weren't hurt much worse!
You're right that blog posts with a little personal touch go a long way to building a client base. I often put something that has happened in my posts as well, particularly if I'm writing on a weekend or heading off on vacation.
Take care of yourself — and your face!
Sorry about the injury, you have my sympathy. I'm sure you could come up with other meanings for this, like don't get into battles (busines deals) you probably can't win, etc. Hard to believe Cooper is 2 yrs old already, particularly since he was just coming into this world at our RE workshop. I'm retired and ski bumming in Wanaka, NZ at the moment and trying to live off my RE investments (talk about dog fights). Best to you and family.
Sorry about the injury, you have my sympathy. I'm sure you could come up with other meanings for this, like don't get into battles (busines deals) you probably can't win, etc. Hard to believe Cooper is 2 yrs old already, particularly since he was just coming into this world at our RE workshop. I'm retired and ski bumming in Wanaka, NZ at the moment and trying to live off my RE investments (talk about dog fights). Best to you and family.
LOL…Honesty is adorable Greg! You have a bit of pity…just a wee wee bit though! LOL
LOL…Honesty is adorable Greg! You have a bit of pity…just a wee wee bit though! LOL
I know a little about how you feel about your dog being a fight – I reacted the same way by sticking my hands in to pull them apart and received a puncture for my efforts. I didn't get an ambulance ride for that trick but I have for others.
About dogs being at a family reunion. My parents and each of my three sisters have a dog or two and I used to until I had to put him down, saddest day of my life. Our family get-togethers are rather comical with all the kids and dogs running around and my family wouldn't have it any other way.
I know a little about how you feel about your dog being a fight – I reacted the same way by sticking my hands in to pull them apart and received a puncture for my efforts. I didn't get an ambulance ride for that trick but I have for others.
About dogs being at a family reunion. My parents and each of my three sisters have a dog or two and I used to until I had to put him down, saddest day of my life. Our family get-togethers are rather comical with all the kids and dogs running around and my family wouldn't have it any other way.
Greg, there is great learning from the incident – don't just jump into the fight of your other business partners which will only intensify the fight and hurt yourself and nothing good to the party…your business! A 3rd person is effective in cooling down a fight when he keeps to be a 3rd person. Wish you recover soon.
Greg, there is great learning from the incident – don't just jump into the fight of your other business partners which will only intensify the fight and hurt yourself and nothing good to the party…your business! A 3rd person is effective in cooling down a fight when he keeps to be a 3rd person. Wish you recover soon.
Greg, you are lucky your leg didn't end up like hamburger meat – which is what happened when he attempted to break up our dogs during a fight…having a pair of jeans on didn't help one bit!!! He had to get stitched up and since the next day we were flying to Hawaii to visit our son who plays QB for University of Hawaii he had to stay out of the water and no surfing with Shane – I don't know what hurt him more, the stitches or staying away from surfing that next week 😉
Greg, you are lucky your leg didn't end up like hamburger meat – which is what happened when he attempted to break up our dogs during a fight…having a pair of jeans on didn't help one bit!!! He had to get stitched up and since the next day we were flying to Hawaii to visit our son who plays QB for University of Hawaii he had to stay out of the water and no surfing with Shane – I don't know what hurt him more, the stitches or staying away from surfing that next week 😉
I know the impulse to intervene. When I was a teen my dog and another were facing off. For some reason I thought putting my arm between them would be a good idea. The other dog decided to bite my arm and I pulled back really fast. It chomped lightly twice as my arm retreated and then the third time he chomped hard, splitting the end of my right index finger.
Unfortunately we were on the other side of a mountain range from a hospital and home, so I sat in the car for an hour or so while we got there. Decades later I still have a 1/2 inch scar. Now I'd put something inanimate between them if anything.
Bottom line: human flesh does not belong in the path of canines.
I know the impulse to intervene. When I was a teen my dog and another were facing off. For some reason I thought putting my arm between them would be a good idea. The other dog decided to bite my arm and I pulled back really fast. It chomped lightly twice as my arm retreated and then the third time he chomped hard, splitting the end of my right index finger.
Unfortunately we were on the other side of a mountain range from a hospital and home, so I sat in the car for an hour or so while we got there. Decades later I still have a 1/2 inch scar. Now I'd put something inanimate between them if anything.
Bottom line: human flesh does not belong in the path of canines.
Greg:
Real sorry to hear about your injuries.
I did get out this summer – thanks for the good advice. First time in years. It was wonderful, and it seems I haven't forgotten how to cook over a campfire. Took my son and my dog with me camping in the Cypress Hills. The little girl in the next tent sang lullabies to fhe dog. When deer went bounding though the campsite the dog sat oh so quietly and watched with the rest of us. (He never lets me know when deer are eating my garden,either) I don't know what either of us would do if another dog attacked – he's so laid back and non-threatening- but I would probably be right in there trying to do something. I certainly understand what you did, and I'm so sorry about the results. You know it, the dog would do the same for you. Get well soon. Love the picture of your family.
Greg:
Real sorry to hear about your injuries.
I did get out this summer – thanks for the good advice. First time in years. It was wonderful, and it seems I haven't forgotten how to cook over a campfire. Took my son and my dog with me camping in the Cypress Hills. The little girl in the next tent sang lullabies to fhe dog. When deer went bounding though the campsite the dog sat oh so quietly and watched with the rest of us. (He never lets me know when deer are eating my garden,either) I don't know what either of us would do if another dog attacked – he's so laid back and non-threatening- but I would probably be right in there trying to do something. I certainly understand what you did, and I'm so sorry about the results. You know it, the dog would do the same for you. Get well soon. Love the picture of your family.
hi greg, very sorry. sad your holiday ended up on a bad note. dont worry . get well soon . indira
hi greg, very sorry. sad your holiday ended up on a bad note. dont worry . get well soon . indira
Hi Greg,
Have my sympathy. Good nothing more serious happened. The lesson here as you rightly avered to is; not to go against lay down princibles. We will encounter less harm and accidents of such nature if we keep to time tested principles. Also about the Tetanus shot, not many of us bother about such things as they seem trivial to us especially in an advanced economy with first class medical facilties that we have and enjoy. It is very important to check if our immunization status is upto date. The story would have been different elsewhere outsied Canada.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Greg,
Have my sympathy. Good nothing more serious happened. The lesson here as you rightly avered to is; not to go against lay down princibles. We will encounter less harm and accidents of such nature if we keep to time tested principles. Also about the Tetanus shot, not many of us bother about such things as they seem trivial to us especially in an advanced economy with first class medical facilties that we have and enjoy. It is very important to check if our immunization status is upto date. The story would have been different elsewhere outsied Canada.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for posting this Greg. It is a great example of risk assessment in business. Sometimes we leap in driven by emotional response only to wish we had taken a breath calmed down our heart rate and then taken action. Same thing happened to my Son a few weeks back on a camp site. His mate went in to stop a multi dog fight only to have his finger ripped off. Nasty. I am a dog owner and would have made the same mistake as I naturally would want to help my dog out. Hope it has healed now?
Thanks for posting this Greg. It is a great example of risk assessment in business. Sometimes we leap in driven by emotional response only to wish we had taken a breath calmed down our heart rate and then taken action. Same thing happened to my Son a few weeks back on a camp site. His mate went in to stop a multi dog fight only to have his finger ripped off. Nasty. I am a dog owner and would have made the same mistake as I naturally would want to help my dog out. Hope it has healed now?
Well sometimes you do something and succeed. And sometimes… well you know 🙂 The important thing is that you did something. Maybe a little stupid, but you did something!
Call me next time – for a lesson in selfdefense and how to do this if you really want to interfere!
Peace!
Well sometimes you do something and succeed. And sometimes… well you know 🙂 The important thing is that you did something. Maybe a little stupid, but you did something!
Call me next time – for a lesson in selfdefense and how to do this if you really want to interfere!
Peace!
I think I just might grab a beef or two in the kitchen and throw them at the dogs and keep away ! 🙂
I think I just might grab a beef or two in the kitchen and throw them at the dogs and keep away ! 🙂
Truly sorry to hear about your stitches..I wish you a fast recovery…
Truly sorry to hear about your stitches..I wish you a fast recovery…
Hi Greg,
I wish you a prompt recovery and to make you feel better, let me tell you this story about making the wrong choice.
As a kid, I wanted to know what it felt like to eat like a dog, so I sticked my face into my uncle's dog bowl, WHILE HE WAS EATING! Needless to say, I ended-up with a bitten nose, a tetanos shot and when we came back home, my uncle had put the dog down as he did not trust it anymore and I was his favorite niece.
I felt guilty for a long time that my behavior had cost this dog his life.
As for entrepreneurship, I chose to go the not for profit way, when it comes to school concerts. If you are interested to write about which charity you support, and how to find a good sponsors when you are not for profit, that would be very useful.
Have a good rest, looking forward to hearing from you again.
Hélène Nicole
Hi Greg,
I wish you a prompt recovery and to make you feel better, let me tell you this story about making the wrong choice.
As a kid, I wanted to know what it felt like to eat like a dog, so I sticked my face into my uncle's dog bowl, WHILE HE WAS EATING! Needless to say, I ended-up with a bitten nose, a tetanos shot and when we came back home, my uncle had put the dog down as he did not trust it anymore and I was his favorite niece.
I felt guilty for a long time that my behavior had cost this dog his life.
As for entrepreneurship, I chose to go the not for profit way, when it comes to school concerts. If you are interested to write about which charity you support, and how to find a good sponsors when you are not for profit, that would be very useful.
Have a good rest, looking forward to hearing from you again.
H
The best way to break up a dog fight is grab their tails. Not sure what to do with boxers or other stub tailed dogs.
The best way to break up a dog fight is grab their tails. Not sure what to do with boxers or other stub tailed dogs.
Hi Greg:
I am very sorry and sad to hear this incident. I hope you will get better soon. The amazing part is you are smiling and still very postive even though you are badly hurts.
Take care
-Karma
Hi Greg:
I am very sorry and sad to hear this incident. I hope you will get better soon. The amazing part is you are smiling and still very postive even though you are badly hurts.
Take care
-Karma
I send you lots of healing energy.
Be well.
Love & Light, Kory
I send you lots of healing energy.
Be well.
Love & Light, Kory
Dear Greg
I have to comment in jest of course. My grandfather was ranked 3 rd. in the world as a welterweight boxer and even held the record for most fights in a year, but he never looked as "pretty" as you.
To the "Champion of Entrpreneurs" everywhere.
Hope your felling better soon ,
Thankyou for all your wisdom and excellent guidance.
Steven McGuire
Home Purchase Assistance Canada Inc.
Dear Greg
I have to comment in jest of course. My grandfather was ranked 3 rd. in the world as a welterweight boxer and even held the record for most fights in a year, but he never looked as “pretty” as you.
To the “Champion of Entrpreneurs” everywhere.
Hope your felling better soon ,
Thankyou for all your wisdom and excellent guidance.
Steven McGuire
Home Purchase Assistance Canada Inc.
Thanks for sharing –
The only thing more dangerous would be breaking up a domestic dispute and fight – fortunately dogs aren't weapons savy!
I am glad you will heal back to your same self.
Thanks for sharing –
The only thing more dangerous would be breaking up a domestic dispute and fight – fortunately dogs aren't weapons savy!
I am glad you will heal back to your same self.
Jeez Greg! I am sorry you had this experience, my best thoughts are with you. Not to make light of this – but your upside is you have a TERRIFIC story!
Jeez Greg! I am sorry you had this experience, my best thoughts are with you. Not to make light of this – but your upside is you have a TERRIFIC story!
This is an awesome lesson…Maybe the most important one!!! Thank you for sharing…
This is an awesome lesson…Maybe the most important one!!! Thank you for sharing…
Wow
I am so sorry that happened to you
Glad you , the rest of your family and your dog are ok though
Take care
Elaine
Wow
I am so sorry that happened to you
Glad you , the rest of your family and your dog are ok though
Take care
Elaine
Hey Greg,
This is a strong lesson.Be careful when you are
close to any nervous dog,and don't make foolish move.
Have a good rest.
god bless you.
Hey Greg,
This is a strong lesson.Be careful when you are
close to any nervous dog,and don't make foolish move.
Have a good rest.
god bless you.
Greg. Use Arnica by topical cream or orally and you will heal in no time! My best!
Dr. Dave
Greg. Use Arnica by topical cream or orally and you will heal in no time! My best!
Dr. Dave
Poor baby! I'm impressed that you are actually smiling in this photo. WHAT A MAN!
Love,
Veronica
Poor baby! I'm impressed that you are actually smiling in this photo. WHAT A MAN!
Love,
Veronica
wow
wow
wowza…
nice to know you dog is tough (sad humor)
wowza…
nice to know you dog is tough (sad humor)
Hey Greg, I remember one of the underlying lessons from EngageToday 2010 was that the entrepreneurial curse is saying "yes" to everything. I've been tapping into Rick Sapio's wisdom and getting lots of value from saying "no" and "simplifying" – whatayathink… was this one of those times? (If you say it wasn't you are truly an entreprenaddict!)
Headed to Vancouver tomorrow in the RV to ID 350 folks' Heart Virtues then on to Big Sky Montana to facilitate a retreat. Looking forward to teaming up with you here in Denver!
Hey Greg:
Unfortunately, when your wife is in the middle of a dog fight, all the rules of saying "no" go out the window! 🙂 Thanks for your comments and looking forward to making something happen in Denver!
Hey Greg, I remember one of the underlying lessons from EngageToday 2010 was that the entrepreneurial curse is saying “yes” to everything. I've been tapping into Rick Sapio's wisdom and getting lots of value from saying “no” and “simplifying” – whatayathink… was this one of those times? (If you say it wasn't you are truly an entreprenaddict!)
Headed to Vancouver tomorrow in the RV to ID 350 folks' Heart Virtues then on to Big Sky Montana to facilitate a retreat. Looking forward to teaming up with you here in Denver!
Hey Greg:
Unfortunately, when your wife is in the middle of a dog fight, all the rules of saying “no” go out the window! 🙂 Thanks for your comments and looking forward to making something happen in Denver!
Oh my! Hope you are feeling better. You may need another holiday to recover completely.
Oh my! Hope you are feeling better. You may need another holiday to recover completely.
Nice. lol. Definitely authentic!! Hope you have a speedy recovery. 🙂
Nice. lol. Definitely authentic!! Hope you have a speedy recovery. 🙂
I heard that parked cars are even more dangerous than dog fights… lol
I heard that parked cars are even more dangerous than dog fights… lol
Thanks for sharing your misfortune as a result of trying to be a good pet owner. I think you ego is in good shape or you would not be willing to share this story.
I wish to escellent healing of sll your wounds.
With compassion
Helen MacKinnon
Thanks for sharing your misfortune as a result of trying to be a good pet owner. I think you ego is in good shape or you would not be willing to share this story.
I wish to escellent healing of sll your wounds.
With compassion
Helen MacKinnon
I'm exhousted. Your dog fight experience Is frightening. Maybe a hockey mask would help.
I got dragged by my son's bulldog…result ONE BLOODY Anna.
Keep safe.
Anna Brezden
I'm exhousted. Your dog fight experience Is frightening. Maybe a hockey mask would help.
I got dragged by my son's bulldog…result ONE BLOODY Anna.
Keep safe.
Anna Brezden
Wow … looks like the tire "bite" was worse than the dog bite! Hope you have a quick recovery.
Wow … looks like the tire “bite” was worse than the dog bite! Hope you have a quick recovery.
I think you did what most of us would have done under the same circumstances! Good story, thanks for sharing.
I think you did what most of us would have done under the same circumstances! Good story, thanks for sharing.
Hi Greg, looks like you really got zapped. I had asimilar experience with m son’s bulldog. A neighbours dog trespassed on our property and of course, our terratorial dog P.J. (Prince of Justice) attacked. I heard the racket and went to rip rhew dogs appart. I ended up with blood all over my t-shirt. I grabbed my dog by the collar and he dragged me back to our front door….quite a scarey experience. I was not as scarred as you.Hope that you healed well.