AWAKE.........

Owww seaspirit44, I truly feel for you with the dogs..... I am the biggest dog, animal lover you will ever meet (to the extent of moving snails, slugs, etc out of the way - nutter alert).  This said I had a big soft teddy bear of a dog .... a rottweiler, as he grew older he was very slow on his legs and very stubborn in 'I'll just stand here and have a look about' ..... we have a public playing field to the side of the house, this one day I was on there, on way back home (I only had go around the fence to get off field and then in the house) - anyway this little girl, she could only of been 8 or 9 came out of their back garden (backing onto field at the other end).  The little girl had a small 'westie' - scotty dog - not on a lead, he was running everywhere.  My rotty was on his lead and had stopped to watch - he would not budge!! Straight away I am fearful for my boy being old and 'if' he was to react 'which dog is going to get the blame'.  I called to the girl to call her dog, the girl had not got a clue, her dog kept coming closer and closer - I was now if full panic - I actually think I had a panic attack - I was worried for my dog (her dog my set about mine) I was worried for her dog, if it did go for mine - why should I let him get bit, I was worried for the girl seeing dogs fighting and I was worried for myself - my mind visualising them fighting and me trying to separate them.... need vets, etc, etc.  I go our extension lead and was whirling it around my head - eventually the little girl came to her dog, I asked her to put the dog on the lead - which she did and then I explained it all to her (as it was with my dog being a boy and her dog being a girl - they did get on.... however 'not of us knew how it would be' - so off home I went......

That was the last time I ever took my lovely dog out alone ...... he has been passed some 11 years - since then we have a rescue staffy ..... I have never taken this dog a walk on the field on my own ..... why??? why am I missing out walking my dog on a field outside my house..... because of 'inconsiderate dog owners' - I can not go though the worry or upset in case anything happened - I feel my heart couldn't take it - so I avoid it.  

If I go out with husband, if any dog comes over 'not on a lead' - I am shouting to the owner to call their dog and put it on a lead..... when they say 'it's okay, he's friendly' - I reply 'our dog isn't (he is friendly, but it's not the point) - he's a rescue and unpredictable - you don't mind yours loyal four legged friend getting bitten?? ..... to which my other half goes mad at me - its either this or I have to just walk away and leave other half at to it (with him always saying 'I don't know why you get so stressed, he'll be fine - I just can't do it, I can't have that feeling......

So seaspirit44 you have my utmost empathy.  .... I did mean to say, you said they never apologises - these people should not have dogs, they have not got a clue and sadly it is the dogs that end up suffering in the long run.  They should of got your address and sent you flowers and chocolates - so very, very wrong

Lacomtekp - I totally know this feeling, again I totally empathise with you.......  

we had a leaking bath pipe - it had dripped and dripped and dripped to the point that it has taken a 6" square of ceiling out of the kitchen - its only ever being small drips however it drips to the side of the microwave and to a kitchen draw (only kitchen draw) that has all 'MY' precious bits in, like hand written note of a late uncle, some 'brand new' money notes not in circulation AA issue (saving for a rainy day or ebay) and other bits like this

My relief when other half 'finally' fixed the leak - so happy........ hmmmmmmmm

Not long after my BC operation I'd had a bath, let the plug out and could hear water a 'gushing' sound - I had not idea, I got out of bath (plug still out) got dressing gown on and went downstairs........

only to see the bath water tumbling out of the hole in the ceiling - I had no clue what to do - shock wasn't letting me think straight ..... went back upstairs and put plug back into the bath ..... and breath.... phoned other half crying my eyes out with upset and anger - arrrrrghhh - that draw was full of water, all was ruined - the money still had its face value, but, I'd saved them for some 15-20 years - and yes the water from the bath was not clear, it was my bath water hahaha plus the wood and dust from under the bath had come through too.  Again, I can totally relate to you (silly thing is I think this affected me mentally too ..... the f**k*n hole is still in the kitchen ceiling!!

Northerner love your ideas and suggestions - which brings me back to 'I'm going to start using my thermal mug to have my tea in - this will keep it hot for far longer and I won't be wanting to either re-heat in microwave or throw about and make new.

Grogg - I always used to turn tv off at the plug - was always worried in case anything happened and knowing actually switched off at the plug made me feel more comfortable .... then I don't know what happened, maybe a Video Recorder or DVD player some kind of other TV equipment came along and they are all on 'standy by' - I think I am going back to 'switching off' - trouble is there are that many plugs plugged in - need to look at which is what and where it is - arrrrrghhhh

Sorry about the War and Peace edition - I hope all the Fruit Loops are okay - sending big love and hugs to you all

Oh my goodness Seaspirit44 that is dreadful. I would be very upset if a dog I didn't know jumped on my back. They have clearly not been trained. I agree Grogg, what irresponsible owners!! It is not the dogs' fault but the owners!

I could come over and walk with you sometime if that would help re establish your confidence. 

WhatHappened I use extension lead so one plug to switch off tv , cinema system etc and Wi-Fi router in its own socket .

I switch stuff off as much as I can safely, too. 

Night night Fruit Loops, sleep well and stay safe

 plenty of sleepy fairy dust for all who wish

 hugs xxx

Hi Fruit Loops, hope you are all doing as well as you can be! I just popped on to catch up with the posts and felt a little uneasy with all the “dog” posts! 

I am also a member of an online neighbourhood group, which often has debates about Litter, Dog Poo, Children shouting etc etc etc! 

I can totally understand people having fears of animals and of peoples frustrations towards others behaviour, but I also think it’s sad that we can’t all just be happy in our beautiful green spaces and Beaches and enjoy them together! 
Dogs need to have an opportunity to run, it’s not kind for them to always be on a lead. They, like people need a chance to let off steam. Sadly there are more and more restrictions in place, therefore places that this can happen are limited! However I do believe it is possible for EVERYONE to have the opportunity to enjoy time in the open space, together! 
We just need to be more tolerable of each other and respectful of each other. I walk Bella to our local park almost every day. She walks through the gardens and then has a run in the field (if she can be bothered)! If one of her doggy friends is around she might play chase with it and yes if this happens we all have to keep an eye, that the dogs don’t go near anyone else. As we know that if they bump into someone they could knock them over. So we watch Bella and we watch the area she is running around in and also the nearby paths for anyone who might be coming by either walking or on a bike! Now as a responsible dog owner I know it is my responsibility to do that! If Bella knocks someone over that is my fault NOT hers! 
Now I can totally understand how you felt seaspirit44 and what happened to you shouldn’t of happened, however to say all dogs should be kept on lead, just isn’t practical or fair (in my opinion)! 

If we were going to tar everyone or in this case every dog/owner with the same brush, then I would ban bicycles from cycling around the park, because I have almost been hit on at least 3 occasions! I could also say ban picnickers because they leave rubbish! Ban football matches because the kids leave rubbish etc etc I think you get my point! 

I think living in this world is tough enough without us all getting at each other. We need to learn to live along side each other. We need to ‘train’ each other to find ways that we can help each other! 
Somebody mentioned being nervous about going out with their dog. There are coloured leads/harnesses that allow other dog owners to see that your dog might be unpredictable. This in turn might help you to relax. After all walking your dog is supposed to be relaxing and fun! 

Dogs jumping up is something I hate! It’s the first thing we trained our dogs NOT to do! But please remember it’s the dog owners at fault and NOT all dog owners! I can but apologise for the awful/rude behaviour of the owners you encountered. But in my experience the majority of dog owners are considerate and polite to other park users! 

I hope you can start enjoying your walks again Hun. Go pro sounds like a good idea. Also if it is the same dog/owner each time. Contact the dog warden in your area (I know we still have them in our area) they will be willing to help I’m sure! 

I shall jump off my soap box now! Just wanted to say something from another point of view! Xxxxxxx

People need to have control of their dogs

xx

The MAJORITY of dog owners DO! It’s the minority that spoil it for everyone! 

Our LA has specific rules in place for dogs.  So summer time they are restricted on many of beaches, but there's loads of beaches they can run wild on, but at all times must be kept in lead in promenade.  Both regularly flouted, especially the lead bit on prom.  Always been an issue.  My hubby who loves dogs used to resort to lifting foot as if to kick them out of the way when he used to be running home from work along the prom years ago.   The prom which runs a good few miles from City Centre is a bit of nightmare for pedestrians as it's also classed as cycle track with just a line to divide and many cyclists go at great speed, Combined with dogs off leads it's not the best during peak times like weekends and school holidays.  

I know locally many dog owners are complaining about out of control dogs as in one park numerous dogs been attacked & even killed by dogs running free.  My friends in my walking group who bring their dogs along say it's also a problem they encounter regularly.  There was a video of owner confronted and her language was foul.  My hubby when police officer had to call dog warden and a dog out down as it had jumped over its garden wall and bitten children and the owner just shrugged,  I think they need to bring back dog licences and compulsory training.  One of my friends who's a home vetter for dog rescue resettlement says she's always handing out cards on dog walks when she sees untrained dogs with clueless owners.  

I grew up with a dog and training down to my mother in 60/70s.  Our dull dog who we had from pup as we had his mother never in 14 years went upstairs, sat on sofa etc.  He knew his cwtch was rug in front of fire so main carpet stayed clean, or his little corner in kitchen to beg scraps !  Nighttime he was in the annexe.  We called him full affectionately as if you said belly he assumed position for tickling .  However one thing my mother did do was let him out off lead, quite normal then.  I lived down a lane and home from school time she'd send him down lane to meet me.  He'd run down, bark hello, run back tell my mother tell her I was coming , then run back to walk with me!   He also alerted my mother when I was send home from school age 14, on a bus alone with no call home.  I can't really temper getting off bus, it was 3 mike journey, and I literally collapsed in porch and it was only the dog insisting my mother go to front door that she knew I was there,  I had been "flooding" in school and fainted , so yes they gave me bus pass to go home and refused to allow a friend to accompany me.  As you can imagine my mother furious!  

I DIDN’T say all dogs should be on a lead LondonLass! I am quite happy for dogs to run free as long as the owners keep them under control.