Poor Hetty

Packed lunch and coffee and walked out along the river path. We have done this walk many times, it’s circular and through lots of fields. Hubby left his gloves on the stone bench we sat on for lunch so we headed back down the steepest bit of the walk to get them. Turned a bend to see another couple heading up with two dogs, the large one was off lead and ran at us, it actually got hold of Hetty and shook her, she was screaming and the guy ran at it and kicked it. We calmed her and checked her and they gave us their number should we need to go to the vets. I think she was more shaken than hurt, but it was scary, so we headed back the way we had gone. The way the guy reacted I think the dog must have done it before.
We have been doing this walk for many years and the path actually does through the garden of a house which always seemed odd. We have avoided this bit by crossing a stream if the water is low enough. Four very large stones have now appeared in the stream making it easy to cross, and the sign suggesting an optimal route. I think perhaps the owners are sick of people walking through the garden.