[Em_n_Bailey]

As the title says really, I've just had a bit of a fright on a walk out with Bailey

I decided to take her down to the island about 10 mins walk from our house, just me and Bailey

It's a lovely place to walk and very popular, and once we had reached the island I decided to walk the opposite way that we usually go, along the road that hgv vehicles use during the week

The road runs along side a sheltered path, so I decided the road was more open so I would walk along here then cut through and go across the open field

We met only a small group of youths with 2 dogs along the road

As we cut through to the open field, and I let Bailey off lead, a man appeared, seemingly from the bushes and had been walking in the same direction as me but on the sheltered path......I froze 8O

He was in a suit, on a weekend, in this heat (it is very sunny here) and I was VERY alone, just me and my dog

He just walked past me and carried on his way, poor guy was probably just enjoying the weather like me but I realised I had not breathed 8O

It had really shaken me, and I practically ran back to the bridge to get off the island

I felt very vunerable and have come home and ordered a personal alarm from ebay.......it made me realise that if something had have happened I had nothing to protect myself, all I had was my mobile phone

Just wondering how you LFers protect yourselves whilst out walking??

I do feel a little silly as this poor guy was just out for a walk like me, and has no idea or intention of scaring a woman and her dog.......I would like to think that Bailey would sense if someone was going to attack, she wasn't in the slighest bit bothered about this man

 

[Jaynemaria]

Sounds as though you were really shook up

I have to admit that i wont walk in certain areas of the fields and woods arounf me alone as I feel vulnerable, silly thing is I would play there for hours when I was younger, and not worry :roll:

I think Sam would definately protect me as he is wary if, men especially, appear suddenly when on our walks, not sure about Max, he would probably lick them to death :roll:

 

[-Kate-]

I was mugged whilst out with Diesel last year. It really scared me. Diesel didn't do anything either.
I was scared for weeks to take him out on my own. I didn't even want to walk him to my local park.
I understand your worries. The police gave me a personal alarm after id given them my statement. I took it everywhere with me for the first few months then i realised i was letting Diesel down as i would make him wait till Mike got back from work before we went out.
I decided to take him out on my own one very sunny day to the park. Ever since then i just send mike a quick text to let him know im on my way out and i take my personal alarm although i've never had to use it.

I hope it doesn't put you off walking your favorite track.

 

[_Linda_]

I have to admit I dont really get scared but I am thinking of getting one of those sticks walkers use, at least if anything happened I could defend myself :?

Hope you are OK Em and dont let it spoil your day

How did the Bailey and Bonnie meeting go :?:

 

[Em_n_Bailey]

It's not going to stop me from taking her out, it's just given me a bit of a shock, I've never really felt vunerable in the day before though

I'm so sorry to hear that you were mugged diesel09, that must have been really scary. Well done on not letting it stop you taking diesel out though

I think I will feel safer going to places like the island with a personal alarm, I did think it would have been busier down there, with it being a saturday and the weather being lovely

How did the Bailey and Bonnie meeting go :?:

Aw Linda, she has mastitis and is on antibiotics so they couldn't meet
I've got to ring again on weds but it's doubtful that she will even be coming home that day......poor Bonnie, I really didn't want her to get poorly