This one´s for the dogs

Have you ever thought you were going to die 5 times in half an hour? I thought this deserved a little entry.
In other news have you ever thought you would involuntarily (of course) defecate in your pants 5 times in half an hour?

...
Now in other news I arrived after a short bus rid and a ferry crossing, in Ancud, Isla de Chiloé northern Patagonia. The hostel is right on the beach that curves around the bay, spotted with paintcrusted fishing boats. Its full of windows and wood and is a beautiful set up. I however, was getting quite cabinfeverish so I thought I would go for a run, up into the steep hills that rise up behind the colourful metal shacks speckling the steep unpaved grid of streets. My heart rate stayed well above 140 even for the extended periods of statueness though. I discovered, much to my chagrin, that most people in this town have some sort of un-neutered combination of terrier, german shepard, doberban... unleashed, untrained and naturally, given the size of its testicles, fairly territorial.
The first dog ran out at me barking like a banshee. I froze, and avoided eyecontact completely...the dog stood about 10 feet away and continued to bark viscously. I made a movement, ever so slight, ever so slow, to back away. Mistake. The massive german shepard took five paces toward me and continued to bark ferociously. I waited what felt like hours although it was probably no more than 5 minutes, until I tried again to melt out of my petrified cowering position. This time I was able to pick up a rock - security of mind rather than of body, as I was to find out.
I finally made it into the hills behind the city and circled around the back until I reached another dirt road. There I startled another dog, this one a white terrier sort of dog with a slit eye (battle wounds) After it got within about 15 feet of me I played the same game of don´t look, don´t move, don´t breathe even though your heart rate monitor says 125 (and you´ve been standing still for 3 minutes - yes abnormal!)
After the second encounter I ran more slowly (which is another psychological tool for my own peace of mind) and I came to the realization, when 5 dogs looked like they would rip me apart but for a godly fence that separated us, that my rock that I had kept from the first near-washroom experience would be futile in a battle with 5 hungry, territorial, un-neutered dogs!!!

The key of course, to the fact that I am writing this blog with no injuries is my focus in maintaining steady breathing and not becoming afraid. I feel that the crazy dogs can sense that you are afraid. So if you simply calm your breathing, look straight ahead, clear all the blood, and ambulance and statistic filled visions from your cloudy brain and live in the moment - stand, listen to the wind, feel the presence not of a threatening animal, but of a threatened animal, and be patient. Things, so far, knock on wood, have worked out!

Thats my dog story, there is a lot more to tell about the past few days, but I will save that for later.
thats it from here!