Public Forum Proceed to Auspet's New Discussion Forum | Pet Directory | Classifieds | Home | LinkXchange


Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page

  Auspet - Message Boards
  Dogs - all types
  No light for long walks :(

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   No light for long walks :(
LottynTrike
Member

Posts: 173
From:Murfreesboro, Tn, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-09-2003 06:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for LottynTrike     Edit/Delete Message
So tell me what do ya'll do? By the time I get home from work (5:30-6:15ish) there is no light out. and i cant take trike out for a good long walk. its just not safe. usually i am the one who walks her at night, and a single girl out with a dog at night just seems like an easy target!! plus you cant really tell if another dog is appoching. so sadly trike just gets to go outside to potty and then we have to come back in. what do ya'll do? i am i guess there not much i can do. i was just wondering what everyones doing to cope with the sorter days and less sunlight? I bring a flashlight. but it doesnt do much good.
well thanks for any responds!
lotty and her sad puppy who cant go on long walks anymore

IP: Logged

Nik
Member

Posts: 115
From:UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-09-2003 06:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nik     Edit/Delete Message
I know what you mean. Isn't it awful that we have to live in a world where taking your dog out for a walk is like taking your life in your hands?
I do take mine out, it's a short walk of around 20 minutes and I'm alert to everything going on. My senses are on overtime watching out for anyone/thing approaching.
I do the same walk every night, no cash on me, no phone, nothing. (the worst that happens around here is you get mugged for your phone or cash)
All's I can suggest is, is there anywhere that's a wide open space that's lit up? Even if it means a short bus ride there or drive. I'm lucky in that I have that right across the road. Some nights I walk right through the middle of the green rather than around the pathway, when I'm feeling on edge.

The first couple of nights I did take my phone and called home when I felt uneasy which gave me the confidence to carry on walking. I'm quite comfortable with night time walks now I've got used to it. Just be aware of every hideaway, walk down the middle of the street to pass them if you're feeling uncertain.
Try a few different times to see if others are walking their dogs. I've found everyone with a dog likes to say hello so it'd help break the stress of the walk when you see the same faces each night... they're probably feeling the same way as you too.
Hope you find a way around it

IP: Logged

Jamiya
Member

Posts: 1392
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-09-2003 06:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jamiya     Edit/Delete Message
I just go out and stick to the "safe" residential neighborhoods. I am uneasy sometimes, but I have never heard of a mugging in our neighborhood, and I do have the cell phone with me.

Or, I make my husband take her out.


Jamiya

IP: Logged

LottynTrike
Member

Posts: 173
From:Murfreesboro, Tn, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-09-2003 08:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for LottynTrike     Edit/Delete Message
I feel kinda safe you know. but i live in a college town and you know. college age kids can be kinda stupid sometimes. i dont know. i just like taking her on those long summer walks but cant anymore. i just hate going out her and i. i promise we are easy targets. and girl and a three legged dog!!! but thanks for the replies!!!

IP: Logged

honeybear
Member

Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-09-2003 08:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
I just play with my dogs in the backyard or in the house. I do feel badly about them not getting their walks at night since I moved to the country 2 years ago. I used to live in a fairly safe neighborhood and felt comfortable walking alone with them at night. And last night As I turned onto our road I saw this woman walking along the road with her 3 dogs (I almost ran over her last week because it was so dark). I pulled over and told she needed to wear reflective clothing if she was going to do this - which is stupid since this is faily busy road.

Honeybear

IP: Logged

Maisey
Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-09-2003 10:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
I take my dogs to the park anyhow, it may be silly, but I actually feel safe with Witt and /or Dooley, I don't think most people would mess with either dog. I do drive my truck down most nights even though I am only a block from the park and maybe two from the section of park I go to. I stay pretty near my truck and play fetch with the dogs, or use the lazer pen. I refuse to not use my park...I'm not going to give it up to drug dealers or punks by not using it when I want. I have pulled up several times and had a group of teenagers standing at cars drinking or smoking, doing the usual hang out things...they have left both times when I pulled up right behind them and got out with Witt. I don't know if it's because I pulled up and parked close without hesitation, or Witt. Maybe you need to get another dog..a big scary looking one named Hercules =) I am more scared of letting the dogs run and play at the barn at night, it is VERY dark there, and I know there are coyotes. I can't see them at all when there, and there are 5 acres so it would be easier for them to get into trouble.
The backyard is ok sometimes but because it is smaller, it gets muddy fast, they tend to tear up the grass roughhousing. I also play in the house with them, hide and seek, find the hotdog, learn new tricks etc.
I would say ..find a park with lighting, maybe one with a track for walkers, carry pepper spray and a mag light (flashlight that can also be used as a baton). Find a walking partner, maybe a neighbor has the same fears? lastly...bribe hubby into going with?

IP: Logged

Maisey
Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-09-2003 10:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Honeybear, I got a chuckle out of your post, not because you aren't right...but because I am known as the crazy woman who rides her horse at night. I love to night ride. For Christmas my husband bought me reflective leg bands that are meant for bikers, they are velcro strips and I put one on each leg of my horse. I also have several flashers, I attach one to the head piece on her bridle and one on the back of my saddle. I also wear one or two. People have always slowed down, but when they get close and realize what it is with all the flashing they always roll down their window and ask if I am ok. I always tell them as long as they drive carefully and follow the speed limit, I'll be fine. I have to travel a pretty busy road to get to the 577 acres of trails. Why not ask that woman if she wants to walk with you? You can both wear reflective clothes and benefit from safety in numbers. Who is going to mess with two women and 5 dogs?

IP: Logged

honeybear
Member

Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-09-2003 11:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
Maisey, Not a bad idea to ask if she wants company, I would just have to do it a little later and I would want to stay on the side street we have that actually has a walking path! I dont know why she doesnt use this and turn around instead of doing the cirle and getting the the busier road. The other thing I worry about is this road is a not a well traveled road but the local drunks use it as a short cut getting from one side of town to the other. You wouldnt believe the bear bottles and liquer bottles we pick up weekly. It is disgusting.
I may try horse riding lessons one of these days but I am afraid of horses.. Our property backs to up 300 acres and there are miles of hiking/riding trails.

Honeybear

IP: Logged

Maisey
Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 12-09-2003 11:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Honeybear, the reason you are afraid of horses is most likely because you don't know how to be around them. People tend to be afraid of what they don't understand. I'll bet if you spent some time with a person who could show you how to handle and be around a horse safely, you would develope a love and expensive addiction to them just like me!
Seriously, I can't even begin to tell you how much having my horse means to me. Just the smell of her is relaxing to me. The lessons my children have learned from her I would have been hard pressed to provide. She is my escape when the world is just too much. Even if you can't own your own horse right now, you can go take riding lessons, many trainers have lesson horses.

IP: Logged

honeybear
Member

Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-09-2003 12:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
I think my fear comes from what happened when I was in high shcool. I heard this horrible whinney our front of my house. I saw my neighbor on the ground wiht her horse on top of her kicking trying to get up. she been going up her gravel gravel and apparently the horse slipped and fell on her - I had to get this kicking horse off of her. luckily she was wearing a metal riding helmet becuase she suffered a severe concussion.
Most of my neighbors have horses and there is one woman known for great training so one of these days I may check it out.
Honeybear

IP: Logged

goob
Member

Posts: 552
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 12-09-2003 12:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goob     Edit/Delete Message
Can you take her in the morning before you go to work? It would probably mean getting up earlier, but if you're set on getting the walks in, might be worth it. I always walk Goo late at night (trying to avoid loose dogs), but our neighborhood is pretty quiet (there is a bar right up the street, but most of the people are locals and wouldn't bother anything), and in addition, Goo is one of those "scary" big black dogs, so she's probably a pretty good deterrent. We usually go out to a nearby field (most nights it's deserted because it's pitch black and people are afraid to walk down there), or stick to quiet back roads, and just walk around. On rainy/foggy nights, I carry a flashlight, so that if I see a car or another person with a dog, I can let them know we're there, but that's about it.

Since your situation doesn't allow for you to take her around your home by yourself, maybe you can see if anyone else nearby walks at night, and go with them. Or like the others said, find a well lit place and carry a cell phone in case someone starts bothering you.

IP: Logged

LottynTrike
Member

Posts: 173
From:Murfreesboro, Tn, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-09-2003 12:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LottynTrike     Edit/Delete Message
thanks ya'll for the reply. oh Maisey that post made me so sad about the night ridding. i use to be a big time rider. oh its been so long!! just made me long to be on a horse oh well.

goob i wish i could take her out in the morning but it would be just as dark!! oh well. shes having fun not being out in the cold thanks for all the fun ideas!!

IP: Logged

puttin510
Member

Posts: 1179
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 12-09-2003 05:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for puttin510     Edit/Delete Message
We do the short night walk sometimes with a flashlight. Our block does not even have lights. I think its because many years ago these buildings used to be owned by the service. Not sure if it was navy, marines etc. So quick walks. And watching for white strips of the skunks, becuase thats what I see first.

------------------

IP: Logged

susan_cude@hotmail.com
Member

Posts: 813
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-09-2003 09:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for susan_cude@hotmail.com     Edit/Delete Message
Hi, I know it's not nearly the same but, do you have a big back yard? if so, then maybe playing fetch or something like that will expend his energy. I live in a safe neighborhood too, but I'm afraid to walk my dogs at night also. Not just because of people, but I can't see as well in case thier are other dogs out. Of coarse I have small dogs, not big ones...Makes a bit of a difference....Susan

IP: Logged

NewLabOwnr
Member

Posts: 169
From:New York, USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-10-2003 05:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for NewLabOwnr     Edit/Delete Message
I was going to make goob's suggestions, which is to get up early and go for walks. I go at 6:15 am on the mornings I work. We live on a dead end road though that has lights, but it is getting pretty light out by that time. I really hate day-light savings time because I'm not able to take Max to the park or through the trails in the woods because there just isn't any daylight. Oh well just prayer for a quick winter =)

IP: Logged

Samsintentions
Member

Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-10-2003 06:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Samsintentions     Edit/Delete Message
I would definately take them for long long long walks out during the weekends. Play a little longer and show them its not your fault!

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Auspet.com


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45c
















© 1999-2017 AusPet.com