[bluedragon]

Many people have answered this thread with good answers perhaps, but I am still hoping someone will tell me something that I can really use.

As I said, I believe my problem is mostly of a logical nature, in the sense that I can't justify taking such a great risk (being bitten badly by a pack of dogs), because I have the alternative to simply avoid passing by dogs. This does make life harder for me here in Bucharest, because I always need to avoid certain streets and sometimes even turn around and change course. However, in each particular situation taken alone, avoiding the dogs always seems the logical choice, given the gravity of the risk, no matter how UNLIKELY this risk is. Some would say that, if you are not afraid of them and you just ignore them, there is virtually NO risk. However, even if the risk is negligible, I can't justify taking it, and I am compelled to retreat or change direction (almost physically). But I am certain that, if I could find another way of looking at this, another mindset, I could easily overcome this fear. However, I may be mistaken about this being the cause of my fear.