January 1981–Balboa Park, San Diego, California At that time, my son’s dad and I lived near Balboa Park in a little section called Hillcrest/University Heights. There was a back way to the south side of Balboa Park through a canyon trail. That was a favorite walk for my two dogs, Sabrina and Beowulf. Sabrina was a Border Collie. Wolfie was an Akita/Malamute mix that I rescued when I was a junior at SDSU and he was about four weeks old. I bottle fed him and took him to classes in a baby front pack. Fully grown, he was over a hundred pounds and stood about thirty inches high. He had no idea how big he was and sat in my lap just like he did when he was a puppy. He was an awesome pet. They both attended graduation ceremonies with me, which got us into the local paper.
There was probably tons of poison oak but I must have been lucky and avoided it. I remember there was a hill covered in nasturtiums and my dogs loved to roll around in them. We walked for about thirty minutes and followed the trail toward the park and then turned around. We were halfway to the entrance at Vermont. It was quiet except for the far off hum of Highway 163. I heard a twig crack and ignored it, thinking it was a little critter. My dogs both alerted, ears pricked, hackles rising. More twigs cracked, and I turned around. I will never forget the next few seconds. A man was sneaking up behind me. As soon as he saw me looking at him, he unzipped his pants and exposed himself. Moving swiftly was not an option being seven months pregnant and fifty pounds heavier, but I tried. I remember trying to be careful that I didn’t trip and fall. The faster I walked, the faster he walked, and he was closing the gap between us. Sabrina turned to growl at him and Wolfie placed himself between me and the man. I simply FROZE. I couldn’t move a muscle. My brain was screaming at me to run away from DANGER, and my legs felt like they were encased in concrete. The adrenaline was pumping, sending the proper primitive signals, but I panicked. Just before the man lunged at me, I picked up Sabrina because I didn’t want her to get hurt. Yes, I picked up my forty-five pound Border Collie, screamed at Wolfie to COME, and RAN THE WRONG WAY. I ran–lumbered--back into the ravine and NOT toward the street that was full of houses and humans and safety. I ran as best as I could with my huge baby-filled belly, until thankfully, a group of women came down from the park and the man disappeared. One of the women who lived nearby took me to her house and we called the police from there. I was so entrenched in fear and panic that I wasn’t able to provide them with a good description, other than noticing he was overweight and probably couldn’t run any faster than I could. This was before cell phones, and when the policemen drove us home, I called my mom. She was an RN and drove over to check my heart rate and blood pressure, as well as delivering a stern lecture about not putting my unborn baby in danger. Needless to say, there were no more solo canyon adventures. After more than thirty years, the re-telling of this potential rape? murder? robbery? still causes my heart to pound.
Scary. You wonder what makes people do crazy stuff like that [just shaking my head].
I was such an idiot. I could have induced labor, I could have had a preemie with neverending health problems. If only I knew then what I know now. Thank goodness nothing horrible happened. How’s it going up your way?
On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 5:20 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
It’s so interesting that we believe we will do one thing but in the situation we respond in a completely different way. I’m sure you heard more than one time “Well, if that had been me I would have __________,” likely with a bit of condescension. But the truth is, until you’re in that situation you just don’t know.
You are so right. I hope everyone learns from me and RUNS the right way!!
On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 6:05 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Yikes!
I guess I’ll always have a fear of fat penis waving pervs.
On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 7:32 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
How scary for you, especially being heavily pregnant!
I got exposed to by a perv on a deserted beach once, as I walked my dog. The dog was off the leash at the time and I was carrying the chain-linked leash in my hand. As this was before I had a mobile phone, like you I realized there was no help to hand, so I chased after the guy and whipped his ass with the dog leash!! I bet he had a bit of explaining to do when he got home!!
So proud of you- that took guts. I think I’d act a lot different now. I was so scared I couldn’t move. Not a good feeling! Thanks for stopping by!
On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 9:32 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Wow, that had to be scary. Glad that you are ok and didn’t go into labor then. I have never been in a situation like that but could see how you could just freeze.
I guess there’s really fight, flight, or freeze. I actually do that all the time!
On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 12:01 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Wow…so happy you are here to tell the experience and to remind us all to be aware of our surroundings…hugs to you xo
That is so awful! You were very lucky. Thank goodness for those ladies.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared-take it from me, don’t freeze!!
On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 7:02 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Wow! If we thought about how many near misses we actually avoid in a single day I think we’d all crawl into the fetal position and never move again … but you lived through this and you remember and you carry it with you. I am so grateful you and your son were okay and are here to tell the story.
Thank you so much. Maybe this kind of explains why I was/am so very protective of him!
On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 10:19 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Holy Moly. That’s creepy, scary, gross…the list goes on and on. My heart would still race when thinking back, too!
No snappy comeback about his exposed penis. I was scared speechless.
On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 12:31 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
You were BORN to be a mom, that includes dogs. xx
Thank you! When I annoy my son the next time, I’ll pass on your kind words! I used to pick up our other border, Victor, when dogs would be aggressive, cos he was such a love. He actually weighed 60 lbs. The capt said he never saw anything like it, I’m 5ft tall, about 100-ish, and I would carry my vic and block the other dogs. He said I made him (Victor, not my husband) neurotic. whatev. at least he didn’t get attacked.
On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 1:34 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo