Fake It to Make It

False: Basilisks hate it when people they're trying to talk to are texting. It's so rude.

Seriously though, how would pretending to text help when you've run into a stray dog? Do rabies go away if you ignore it? Or is it one of those cute stray dogs that need a home, and ignoring it is the only way to not give in and take it home with you?