One normal day about forty years ago, I was walking home from a friend’s house. I was in front of the next door neighbor’s house minding my own business. Suddenly, I was surrounded by at least 8-10 snarling dogs.

I froze.

I was about 9 at the time.

The dogs had been running in a pack in the area at times. There were even reports these dogs – neighborhood dogs that had become aggressive – had mauled puppies. Looking at their snarling faces I had no doubt these dogs were the culprits.

They were taking a step up to me at that very moment.

I thought I might kick the smallest and leap either into a small tree or get my back to a huge poplar tree just to have a chance.

But then someone started bellowing. I looked up and there was my father, running at full-tilt toward these dogs, waving his arms. Confused, the dogs scattered and I was safe. If my dad had not seen me, I most likely would have been mauled that day. It was the day my father likely saved my life. He explained that yelling and charging a dog confused them. It’s a trick I’ve used several times since to back aggressive dogs down.

My father passed away about 8 years ago and it has been an event mostly forgotten in the family since that time. But since it’s Father’s Day, I was thinking about him and what he did for me that day and so many days of my life. Without my father’s actions that day long ago, I would not be here. My daughter would not have been born. I wouldn’t have achieved many of the things I’ve done like writing books or helping a few people along the way.  Dad did a lot more for me over the years, too many to re-count here but I remember the day he literally saved my life. So many thanks to my father and all those who put in a good effort day after day for their families through thick and thin.