You can't be safe anywhere anymore!

Oh gosh Darla, I'm so sorry.  That IS very scary.  I'm glad that it didn't turn out to be a tragedy!! I love all dogs but know that they are animals and you have to be careful.  Leash laws are for everyone's protection.  I'm glad that the dog didn't attack back and bit you or Rusty!!  Take some deep breaths and maybe let your landlord know this happened so that the owner can be reminded to always use a leash.  Hang in there dear.  This is still a wonderful place and hopefully the other dog owner will be more responsible from now on.  

  Thank you so much, my heart can't take blows (upsets) like that anymore, you can feel it when you have heart disease You know I was at the dog park with Rusty this morning and a lady and I got to talking about this exact thing! She was describing her attack with her dog (with another pit) and maybe that's why it upset me or scared me so much. One of the draw backs of dog owership I guess because its going to happen as long as there is two dogs and one is not leashed. I don't trust pitbulls at all, I don't trust any dog not leashed if one of those dogs show aggression which Rusty did the moment the other dog came up "Rusty's steps" that was his territory in his mind at least and he was protecting me. There is someone that I think you would really enjoy meeting on here, maybe you already have, but I can't recall her name right now so I will get back to you on it. Her profile shows her breastfeeding her child. She is really sweet and very much into natural mothering like brestfeeding of course and she even uses cloth diapers. But it her personality that is engaging and fun, not unlike yours =) How is summer going? Soccer & baseball ?
  Wow the police have been pulling people over all night long here in front of my place, go get those bad boys! lol Talk to ya later dear. Take care and have a safe summer!

Well, I hope you have no more 'close calls'.  I would speak to the manager of your place--  perhaps just a reminder going out to the whole place about making sure dogs are leashed would help! I'm glad it turned out okay.  

Summer is fun for us . . .  this is a crazy week!  My boys have Cub Scout camp . . . archery, shooting bb guns, frisby golf, sports games, crafts.  BIG fun for kids my kids age.  Then we also are doing our 'church school' as we call it in the evenings.  It is so much action that my kids are a little like zombies right now .. . but they are loving it.  They are gone from 9 am until 8:30 pm (except for one hour) and I'm volunteering a lot ---  so am with them a lot too.  Long days but they are just so happy . . . and that is what matters.  

I think I know who you are talking about.  and thanks for the compliment.  You're sweet.  You have a peaceful day with no scares, you hear! Go for a swim!  

As I reread my post before reading yours again I felt I must go back and correct something I wrote about pits. For the sake of the owners of great pitbulls, I don't want you to think that I'm ignorant about one of the greatest dogs we have in America. Don't get it wrong, I have nothing against pits if they are raised by loving "parents" who have a healthy respect for what has been breed into these dogs. Through no fault of their own, some bad owners have taken advantage of their brawn and made them dangerous. With the right upbringing these dogs are big babies that are nothing but lovers. That is of course until something quite unexpected happens and their instincts take over. That is when bad things happen to good dogs, just my opinion, I am no dog expert and I don't go around pretending to be.
  Like yesterday when the "incident" happened. I must come to the defense of the pit bull who rushed over and followed us up our stairs. He had an opportunity to eat my dog alive but he did not. He could have attacked me also, he did not. Of course his owner was right behind him saying "Duke! NO! He might have just been curious what all the commotion was about. It was Rusty and I who were wreaking with fear which he could smell.
  Having said all of that rules are rules for a reason and he should have been leashed and that responsibility was his owners.

I think Rusty was scared Darla and reacted to protect you both ..I like Pit bulls I think they get a bad rap but I blame owners more its the way they are treated.I used to walk a big one he was adorable ..I have also seen the horrible treatment they receive one of the reasons I left the last house was the appalling conditions of the dogs especially pit bulls in that area .I do agree with you about leashing ..all dogs should be on a leash in public places they can go to the many dog parks to let them off or have a yard with a fence ..glad you and Rusty wre okay ..