Confessions of a Cynophobia

I walked past hurriedly when I saw my neighbour taking his dog out for a walk. I’m cynophobic. I am terrified of dogs ever since the incident when I was young. The incident, few years ago, came back in every vividness of detail.

I was playing with a few of my friends at the neighbourhood. Not long after, we saw a stray dog. The dog looked ferocious. My friends decided to throw a stone at it. “No!” I protested, “Don’t hurt it,or it’ll come after us!” They ignored my advice. The dog turned around and was about to attack. Sweat was pouring out of my glands. It barked at us fiercely and stared at me with its threatening eyes in fury. Fear enveloped me. Petrified, I dashed off. To my horror, I realized the dog was chasing after me!

Panic and fear raced through my body and my heart pounded rapidly against my ribs. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. The dog was nearer and nearer to me. Before I know, it leaped onto me and I struggled for help. Then, I got a bite on my arm. I yelled as I felt the excruciating pain. A passerby lent a helping hand by grabbing hold of the dog. The dog soon calmed down and went away. My sleeve was stained with blood. Tears trickled down my checks and outlined my jaws.

From then on, I am afraid of dogs. It spells danger to me. What a painful experience.

(252 words)