A neighbor's dog attacked me, so I went to the ER to have a bite checked out. We asked the neighbors if their dog had had its vaccinations, and they said no. They also said that I'm lying, but also that their dog has bitten other people before, so color me confused. Anyway, a nurse practitioner recommended I get a rabies vaccine right away. It's exceedingly rare for pets to carry rabies in the United States, but if you do get rabies, you're a goner. Barring a handful of claims, rabies is always fatal unless treated before symptoms arise. The best treatment is prevention, if that makes sense. It's like when people say "the best way to stop drinking is to never start." I don't believe the dog has rabies, but I didn't want to risk it, you know? They gave me a shot in the arm, two in the hips, and two in the thighs. Ouch. I do have to come back periodically for yet more shots, but I guess this is for the best. Almost nobody dies from rabies in the U.S. anymore, but it does happen and I don't want to be a part of the chosen few. The dog must be quarantined for 10 days, but I'm confident he'll be fine. The owners have promised to build a fence for their dog, thankfully. And if I'm attacked by wild raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, or ferrets, rabies will be one less thing to worry about.

Also, I can't stop thinking about that episode of King of the Hill where Dale thought he had rabies, but it turned out he was just crazy from eating mushrooms in the forest.