Memoir Collection

When I was about seven years old, I used to go to Yucel Park with my grandpa almost every day. One afternoon, while we were walking, a tiny toy-poodle–sized dog suddenly started walking toward me. I was terrified of dogs back then, so without thinking, I ran. The dog, thinking it was a game, began chasing me. My fear doubled as I ran faster, tears in my eyes, until I spotted a kind-looking older man nearby. I ran behind him, screaming for help. Without hesitation, he lifted me up as if I weighed nothing, saving me from the dog that was running toward me. The dog’s owner quickly apologized and pulled the dog away, and I finally felt safe again.

Years later, my mom joined a Turkish group that often organized picnics. At one of these picnics, while the moms talked, I met a girl named Havin, who later became one of my closest friends. Her family eventually adopted a white toy Labradoodle named Casper. He was hyper, always running around, jumping up with his paws on people, and wagging his tail wildly whenever he saw me. At first, I was still scared, but being around Casper so often slowly changed that. Bit by bit, I became comfortable around dogs, and eventually, I even began to enjoy their energy and affection.

These two experiences taught me that fear can change with time and exposure. The first incident showed me how powerful fear can feel, even when the danger is small. The second showed me that fears don’t have to last forever. Through patience and positive experiences, I learned to overcome something that once controlled me.