Time, is all you actually have. Not riches, poverty, not memories, nothing , just time. Thats a harsh taskmaster. Kinda sucks , really.
Seems to me that this type of attitude is reckless. Fear is an emotion which is important to survival. To answer the thread, I'd say I have a fear of dogs. I think they will attack me. A small dog attacked me when I was 5. However, I wouldn't say this has had much impact on my life except when a dog is near me. In these cases, I carry a stick. Dogs are by nature carnivores. It is only because they see man as a dominator that they are subservient. This is why little kids or babies sometimes get eaten. Or a drunk passed out woman got her face eaten off. When they don't see you in a dominating position, they may eat you.
My biggest fear in life is not having lived it. Being that person who watches life pass them by without becoming part of it. There is more. I will post later.
I think that the last paragraph of your post shows that your childhood fear and bias lingers. Some dogs will actually protect children without having been specifically trained to do so. Yes, dogs are carnivores. But so are people, generally speaking. Some are decent and trustworthy, and some aren't. I think it comes down to genetics and upbringing for both of these species. Admittedly, some breeds of dogs are more friendly than others, but dogs can be incredibly loving, trusting and trustworthy animals. Some dogs love unconditionally. I know because I had one. (I guess that's my childhood bias.) As for when a strange dog snarls or barks at me angrily, I will respond in much the same way that I would if a person approached me in a threatening manner. Conversely, I will not necessarily initiate a fight or flight response if a friendly, smiling person crosses my path.
yes, I know my fear lingers. But, I live with 3 dogs. They are 1/2 pitbull and 1/2 something else. They are obedient, and nice dogs. I've also had a brown doberman with floppy ears and a long tail. my point is that its hard to know right away what a dog is thinking, unless you have been around them before. so I don't know when a dog is smiling. I don't consider a tail wag as an exclusive way to see if a dog is playing around. So, I come out swinging with my stick before they get close enough. Also, I live on the big island. Its a rough place. The cops here call it the "old west". (they basically show up on every scene hours late and with lots of backup) My friends wife was recently bit by a dog on our street. People here need to keep their dogs fenced in or on a leash. By saying that humans are carnivores isn't a help. Cause if I was a dog or a cow, i'd be pretty scared of humans, and definitely keep my guard up
A rather curious choice of dogs for someone who has a lingering fear of them. Are you perhaps trying to confirm the validity of your fears?