Hazardous Walking

Jenny, sounds like a rough day.
I'm with you on the dogs. Luckily our town has a good leash
law and there aren't very many roaming dogs.
My problem with dogs is less serious. My neighbor has a dog
which looks like Benji, real cute, and he likes to follow me. This is
not a problem unless I go into a store or a McDonald's where he
follows me and creates chaos.
Now, if I step out the door and he is there, I phone my
neighbor and get her to call him.

On Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:15:45 -0700, "Jenny Lee"
<artTAKEOUTgorillagal.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:

>I've been walking 3 miles in the morning, about 1 mile is uphill (1 mile
>downhill and one level mile) which is a huge accomplishment for me since
>I started at 1/4 mile. Two times this week I've encountered dogs, one of
>the dogs was quite aggressive and (I do carry a stick) would have
>attacked me if another walker hadn't came by with their larger stick.
>Yesterday I got stung on the scalp by a bee, maybe one of the
>Africanized bees (it was quite aggressive). I had to pour my drinking
>water on top of my own head to dislodge it.
>
>What next? Wild boars?
>
>I really, really hate the dogs. I wish people wouldn't let them roam. I
>live in a small town. I hate to discontinue my outside walking.
>
>Any pointers or advice?
>
>JL
>
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

"David Rogers" <davidr655.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3f66e132.12327916@news.eatel.net...
> My neighbor has a dog.... not a problem unless I go into a store or a
McDonald's where he follows me and creates chaos.
> Now, if I step out the door and he is there, I phone my neighbor and get
her to call him.
>

What, does the dog have a cell phone?

bj
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

Hi! Jen!
I too,,,,,,have started walking,,,and I'm now up to three miles a
day.....last week,.walking on my favorite path,,,,,I remembered reading in
the paper,,,,,,,that there are bears in the area........It's a very quiet
path,,,,,,,hardly any people or cars,,,,I told myself,,,don't be such a
sissy,,,,just keep walking......but on the way back,,,,,I heard branches
break,,,,,and I knew it wasn't a small animal,,,,,it had to be deer,moose or
bear!.......Yes,,,I really picked up speed on my way back.....
I'll go to the gym this week......and walk on the treadmill,,,,but nothing
compares to walking in the Outdoors!
All I carried was a bottle of water,,,,,,,,but I'm interested to
know,,,,,,,what do other people carry??
Live in Canada.
I'm not a wuss,,,but I try to be realistic........there have been sightings
of bears,,,,,,,,,I live in a Village, and I really want to keep up my
walks..
Thanks for listening.
Sandy..

"Jenny Lee" <artTAKEOUTgorillagal RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bk37cp$nkcm9$1@ID-139423.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I've been walking 3 miles in the morning, about 1 mile is uphill (1 mile
> downhill and one level mile) which is a huge accomplishment for me since
> I started at 1/4 mile. Two times this week I've encountered dogs, one of
> the dogs was quite aggressive and (I do carry a stick) would have
> attacked me if another walker hadn't came by with their larger stick.
> Yesterday I got stung on the scalp by a bee, maybe one of the
> Africanized bees (it was quite aggressive). I had to pour my drinking
> water on top of my own head to dislodge it.
>
> What next? Wild boars?
>
> I really, really hate the dogs. I wish people wouldn't let them roam. I
> live in a small town. I hate to discontinue my outside walking.
>
> Any pointers or advice?
>
> JL
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

On Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:15:45 -0700 the ET form known as Jenny
Lee<artTAKEOUTgorillagal.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> sent a radio signal across the
vast expanse of deep space -._.--._.--._.--._.--._.--._.

> I've been walking 3 miles in the morning, about 1 mile is uphill (1 mile
> downhill and one level mile) which is a huge accomplishment for me since
> I started at 1/4 mile. Two times this week I've encountered dogs, one of
> the dogs was quite aggressive and (I do carry a stick) would have
> attacked me if another walker hadn't came by with their larger stick.
> Yesterday I got stung on the scalp by a bee, maybe one of the
> Africanized bees (it was quite aggressive). I had to pour my drinking
> water on top of my own head to dislodge it.
>
> What next? Wild boars?
>
> I really, really hate the dogs. I wish people wouldn't let them roam. I
> live in a small town. I hate to discontinue my outside walking.
>
> Any pointers or advice?

A spray bottle filled with ammonia.

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 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

Bj,
I wish he did so I wouldn't have to go back inside and use the
phone <g>

David

On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 18:07:38 GMT, "bj" <bjones44 RemoveThis @bellatlantic.net>
wrote:

>"David Rogers" <davidr655 RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:3f66e132.12327916@news.eatel.net...
>> My neighbor has a dog.... not a problem unless I go into a store or a
>McDonald's where he follows me and creates chaos.
>> Now, if I step out the door and he is there, I phone my neighbor and get
>her to call him.
>>
>
>What, does the dog have a cell phone?
>
>bj
>
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

I've been chased by dogs. Thankfully, they weren't big dogs, but I've been
bitten twice, both times on the ankle and--again, thankfully--the skin
wasn't broken. Maybe they were just tastin' to see if I was a food item?)

One time, when two small dogs stalked me down the sidewalk, I observed where
they lived and wrote down the address. I rang the bell, but no one was home
so I went home and reported them to animal control. One of the dogs had
nipped me on the ankle. It was so small, I didn't want to kick at it for
fear of hurting it. It just thought it was protecting its territory. But I
did yell at the dogs and that kept them away from me, for the most part. Of
course, that wouldn't be such a good strategy with a bigger dog.

I have a stun-gun, but I don't carry it with me. I probably should, since I
walk in the dark in the mornings. I'm more afraid of human attacks than dog
attacks because I've never seen a dog out that early.

If you can't determine where the dog lives, ask the neighbors. They are
probably familiar with who has loose dogs. They're probably sick of it, too.

Good luck.

Cat


"Jenny Lee" <artTAKEOUTgorillagal.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bk37cp$nkcm9$1@ID-139423.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I've been walking 3 miles in the morning, about 1 mile is uphill (1 mile
> downhill and one level mile) which is a huge accomplishment for me since
> I started at 1/4 mile. Two times this week I've encountered dogs, one of
> the dogs was quite aggressive and (I do carry a stick) would have
> attacked me if another walker hadn't came by with their larger stick.
> Yesterday I got stung on the scalp by a bee, maybe one of the
> Africanized bees (it was quite aggressive). I had to pour my drinking
> water on top of my own head to dislodge it.
>
> What next? Wild boars?
>
> I really, really hate the dogs. I wish people wouldn't let them roam. I
> live in a small town. I hate to discontinue my outside walking.
>
> Any pointers or advice?
>
> JL
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

Whoa. If I thought I was going to meet a bear, I'd DEFINITELY carry the stun
gun!

Cat

"Sandy" <sandra.larocque.TakeThisOut@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:bQv9b.4138$BT1.173138@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Hi! Jen!
> I too,,,,,,have started walking,,,and I'm now up to three miles a
> day.....last week,.walking on my favorite path,,,,,I remembered reading in
> the paper,,,,,,,that there are bears in the area........It's a very quiet
> path,,,,,,,hardly any people or cars,,,,I told myself,,,don't be such a
> sissy,,,,just keep walking......but on the way back,,,,,I heard branches
> break,,,,,and I knew it wasn't a small animal,,,,,it had to be deer,moose
or
> bear!.......Yes,,,I really picked up speed on my way back.....
> I'll go to the gym this week......and walk on the treadmill,,,,but nothing
> compares to walking in the Outdoors!
> All I carried was a bottle of water,,,,,,,,but I'm interested to
> know,,,,,,,what do other people carry??
> Live in Canada.
> I'm not a wuss,,,but I try to be realistic........there have been
sightings
> of bears,,,,,,,,,I live in a Village, and I really want to keep up my
> walks..
> Thanks for listening.
> Sandy..
>
> "Jenny Lee" <artTAKEOUTgorillagal.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:bk37cp$nkcm9$1@ID-139423.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > I've been walking 3 miles in the morning, about 1 mile is uphill (1 mile
> > downhill and one level mile) which is a huge accomplishment for me since
> > I started at 1/4 mile. Two times this week I've encountered dogs, one of
> > the dogs was quite aggressive and (I do carry a stick) would have
> > attacked me if another walker hadn't came by with their larger stick.
> > Yesterday I got stung on the scalp by a bee, maybe one of the
> > Africanized bees (it was quite aggressive). I had to pour my drinking
> > water on top of my own head to dislodge it.
> >
> > What next? Wild boars?
> >
> > I really, really hate the dogs. I wish people wouldn't let them roam. I
> > live in a small town. I hate to discontinue my outside walking.
> >
> > Any pointers or advice?
> >
> > JL
> >
> >
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

Sandy wrote:

> Hi! Jen!
> I too,,,,,,have started walking,,,and I'm now up to three miles a
> day.....last week,.walking on my favorite path,,,,,I remembered reading in
> the paper,,,,,,,that there are bears in the area........It's a very quiet
> path,,,,,,,hardly any people or cars,,,,I told myself,,,don't be such a
> sissy,,,,just keep walking......but on the way back,,,,,I heard branches
> break,,,,,and I knew it wasn't a small animal,,,,,it had to be deer,moose or
> bear!.......Yes,,,I really picked up speed on my way back.....
> I'll go to the gym this week......and walk on the treadmill,,,,but nothing
> compares to walking in the Outdoors!
> All I carried was a bottle of water,,,,,,,,but I'm interested to
> know,,,,,,,what do other people carry??
> Live in Canada.
> I'm not a wuss,,,but I try to be realistic........there have been sightings
> of bears,,,,,,,,,I live in a Village, and I really want to keep up my
> walks..
> Thanks for listening.
> Sandy..
>
> "Jenny Lee" <artTAKEOUTgorillagal DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:bk37cp$nkcm9$1@ID-139423.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > I've been walking 3 miles in the morning, about 1 mile is uphill (1 mile
> > downhill and one level mile) which is a huge accomplishment for me since
> > I started at 1/4 mile. Two times this week I've encountered dogs, one of
> > the dogs was quite aggressive and (I do carry a stick) would have
> > attacked me if another walker hadn't came by with their larger stick.
> > Yesterday I got stung on the scalp by a bee, maybe one of the
> > Africanized bees (it was quite aggressive). I had to pour my drinking
> > water on top of my own head to dislodge it.
> >
> > What next? Wild boars?
> >
> > I really, really hate the dogs. I wish people wouldn't let them roam. I
> > live in a small town. I hate to discontinue my outside walking.
> >
> > Any pointers or advice?
> >
> > JL
> >
> >

I've 'walked' with bears often. That is I've had encounters with bears in the
Sierra, Colorado and Alaska. There are two types of bears. North American
Black Bear (also brown) and its larger relation the Grizzly (also shades of
brown as a Kodiak). The polar bear is an altogether different type of a
problem. You are fair game for this large predator -- they will track you down
and eat you. Probably won't see one of those on your walk around your village.

The black bear is relatively mellow, usually harmless and always hungry...but
humans are not on its diet. Think of it as a stomach with four legs or a large
raccoon. Most people who know, don't mess with raccoons either. If bears were
routinely chomping on humans they would have disappeared centuries ago. The
dangerous, unprovoked encounters are so rare they make great news. Usually the
black bear is looking for food - garbage if close to human's habitation. The
more used to humans a black bear is the more chance of some injury or a
confrontation. Around camp sites (town garbage cans or dumps) they sometimes
are aggressive enough to challenge you for your supper. If you try to protect
your food (or what they consider to be food) they then become a mean junk yard
dog -- that you have teased with a nice soup bone.

A chance meeting with a brown bear will usually result in a missed photo op and
not a tragedy that will end up in some newspaper. Treat them with caution,
don't provoke them, don't try to hug them and stay away from ANY cubs anywhere.
I am more concerned about a chance meeting with a skunk than by a bear. If you
have the rare pleasure of having to face down an aggressive black bear, the
current wisdom is that you don't run, don't look directly at it (look to the
side) and slowly back away. If you are carrying anything, leave it on the
ground in front of you as an offering. It is probably what it wants anyway. If
you get mauled, roll up in a ball and protect your head with your hands.

The grizzly is fairly much the same. Except they are more aggressive, more
territorial and if used to humans should be avoided rigorously. Your odds of
being injured go up around grizzlies.

The fact that you are meeting up with them in your town is an indication that
not a lot has happened between the bear and human population. People really do
live in harmony with bears in North America...look at all those year around
cabins in the woods.

Dogs? You can carry an old umbrella. If a dog becomes aggressive or starts a
charge the pointy end works and if it gets beyond that, pop the umbrella open
and hide behind it. They usually get the idea, or loose interest if they get
poked a few times. But not hard. They have feelings too. Some breeds (e.g.,
pit bull) become more excited when injured.

Pepper spray is a good idea if you have severe dog problems. Check with local
ordinances on any restrictions to carry it.

Pepper spray is not a good idea for bears - it takes a larger dose, must be more
potent than anything you want to use more than once. You have to have nerves of
steel to hold your ground, be prepared to take on a full charge as you spritz
them with it.

If you have loose dogs and can't find the owner attached, call the city. That's
why you pay taxes. There is NO reason why you should be so afraid to walk in
your neighborhood that you have to stay inside. That's supposedly why you pay
taxes. Take advantage of those 'insurance' premiums you have been paying over
the years. This goes for dogs, bears, wolves, gangs, crooks, fast cars, or just
mean people.
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

: If you have loose dogs and can't find the owner attached, call the
city. That's
: why you pay taxes. There is NO reason why you should be so afraid to
walk in
: your neighborhood that you have to stay inside. That's supposedly why
you pay
: taxes. Take advantage of those 'insurance' premiums you have been
paying over
: the years. This goes for dogs, bears, wolves, gangs, crooks, fast
cars, or just
: mean people.
:
Good advice but our town isn't a city. We are unincorporated. (Good
advice for bears, that is). Dogs are the main problem here. I don't own
an umbrella here in the desert.
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

Jenny Lee wrote:

> : If you have loose dogs and can't find the owner attached, call the
> city. That's
> : why you pay taxes. There is NO reason why you should be so afraid to
> walk in
> : your neighborhood that you have to stay inside. That's supposedly why
> you pay
> : taxes. Take advantage of those 'insurance' premiums you have been
> paying over
> : the years. This goes for dogs, bears, wolves, gangs, crooks, fast
> cars, or just
> : mean people.
> :
> Good advice but our town isn't a city. We are unincorporated. (Good
> advice for bears, that is). Dogs are the main problem here. I don't own
> an umbrella here in the desert.

Ahh, the life in the 'burbs and country.

SierraTradingPost.com for bumbershoots.... Great for the noon day sun too.

* noun: Parasol, (para) = for, (sol) sun. Don't think I would use a frilly,
foo foo, parasol and take the chance a dog would slobber on.

Pointy stick works too. (check trek poles)
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking 

carry a spray..there is a pepper spray and it's small enough to hold or put
in a pocket.


"Jenny Lee" <artTAKEOUTgorillagal.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bk37cp$nkcm9$1@ID-139423.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I've been walking 3 miles in the morning, about 1 mile is uphill (1 mile
> downhill and one level mile) which is a huge accomplishment for me since
> I started at 1/4 mile. Two times this week I've encountered dogs, one of
> the dogs was quite aggressive and (I do carry a stick) would have
> attacked me if another walker hadn't came by with their larger stick.
> Yesterday I got stung on the scalp by a bee, maybe one of the
> Africanized bees (it was quite aggressive). I had to pour my drinking
> water on top of my own head to dislodge it.
>
> What next? Wild boars?
>
> I really, really hate the dogs. I wish people wouldn't let them roam. I
> live in a small town. I hate to discontinue my outside walking.
>
> Any pointers or advice?
>
> JL
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Hazardous Walking