Scared to death of big dogs

by Sandy
(Dayton, Nv. Lyon)

I'm 26 years old, when i was 5 i was mauled by a big dog and still have the scars. It happened again when i was 11. Now when i see a big dog i can't control my fear and panic.

I have a girlfriend that has a large dog and thinks i am being childish because i will not come to her house as long as she has the dog. I know she loves her dog and i don't expect her to part with her dog.

I just don't know how to make her understand just how real my fear is. We have been friends for over 10 years, how can i explain to her how real Phobias are? She thinks i should trust her to keep her dog from attacking me when i can't overcome my fear.