Started a house sitting job this morning. I normally like to unload my car to the front house door before I open the house door, and then I can make another few moves and close the house door. It helps to keep the dogs and cats from running out.
Homeowners were still home, a little late in leaving and she opened the door before I had emptied the car. Dog was so excited that I was there. He ran out and then back in. He did that a couple times. I had my last load that included my Yeti coffee cup (a gift to me) still almost full of coffee. Dog came running at me and bumped into me. Cup went up in the air and then hit the concrete steps. Top came off and coffee spilled all over the steps. Me? I knew I was not going to stay upright and tried to figure out how to land the best in a split second. There is a bush right beside the steps and I aimed for that and grabbed hold. I did not get a scratch or anything else. Homeowners were very concerned. I was absolutely fine. I may have made some screeching sounds which I do when I get alarmed. The dog began drinking the coffee on the steps.
I had a very similar situation when Crosby the Rhodesian ridgeback was still alive. I had her leash in my right hand. We walked up a short flight of stairs and were going to make a left turn. She saw a rabbit and ran behind me. I had to immediately decide if I was going to try to hold her back (would have been a foolish idea) or let her go. The smart thing was to let her go. This whole thing caused me to make a 360 degree turn, imagining falling and breaking some bones. There was a big sturdy bush right there and I grabbed onto it. It save me from falling. By the time I was done spinning, grabbing and getting my bearings, Crosby was back from her chase and we went home. Ridgebacks are hunters, among other things.
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