Friday 27 July 2012

Camping tales........

So.

We have had an absolutely lovely impromptu camping break, taking advantage of the summer's first properly glorious weather this week.  We'd originally booked three nights but added a further two in a bout of devil-may-care extravagance.

Small Dog had what can only be described as mixed fortunes.  She does love going away in the caravan and embraces the camping life with gusto, but during this trip she had a few misadventures.....

The first occurred on our second morning, as she was scrabbling to get out of the awning and velcroed her face to the bottom of the zip.  I had already unzipped the door and was wondering why she wasn't racing outside.  Instead she was pawing at her face and seemingly unable to move.  I initially suspected that she'd caught an insect but closer investigation revealed that her whiskers and fur were firmly enmeshed in one of the little Velcro tabs.  She did manage to free herself before I came to her aid, leaving a small chunk of face fur still attached to the Velcro.

I tried VERY HARD not to laugh......

The second misadventure wasn't the slightest bit funny, and happened on one of the days we went to the beach.  I'd taken Small Dog down to the sea for me to have a paddle and her to cool her paws, which she did more or less willingly.  On the way back up the beach I spotted a large dog, off its lead, bounding across the shingle towards us.  Before I could react it was on us, pawing Small Dog, knocking her over in the process.  I quickly picked her up out of harm's way, but the dog kept jumping up and trying to bite her, jaws snapping.  At this point Small Dog let out an ear-splitting yelp and I tried to hold her up higher while the kept dog leaping up me from all directions at me, almost knocking me over too.  By that time one of the group who owned the dog had arrived, apologising and saying that the dog was 'only a puppy' and wanted to play. I won't repeat my riposte here but I was really angry and shaken up. 

All along the beach there are signs exhorting people to keep their dogs on leads but a sizeable minority ignore them and let their dogs rampage around uncontrolled.

Only last Sunday, a few miles from where we live, THIS happened, and in May this year there was a similar incident in Hastings Country Park which left a pet dog dead after it was attacked by two vicious, illegal dogs.

I'm seriously considering the purchase of an electric cattle prod, or pepper spray for Small Dog's (and our) protection while we're out on walks.


8 comments:

Neen said...

Yikes, how frightening! I love dogs, but that "puppy" was out of control. Shame on his owners. I hope you and SD enjoy the remainder of her holiday. Best, Neen

Susan@minicrochetmad said...

I didn't try not to laugh at small dogs facial hair predicament - think deep belly laugh!

I haven't walked my tiny dogs for over 20 years thanks to having one pulled out of her collar and seriously injured by a pair of marauding german shepherds. Get yourself a water pistol and fill it with cloudy ammonia cleaner, one squirt tends to deter the attacker.

Sandra Morris said...

Neen.....
Yes, SD did manage to enjoy the rest of her holiday.

She's quite resilient. Me not so much

Sx

Sandra Morris said...

Susan....

Well, yes.

Her Velcro predicament wasn't life threatening.

Dignity threatening perhaps.

I'll think about your suggestion of the ammonia water pistol. It seems far too benign for a dog bent upon the death of Small Dog.

I'm more inclined to an electric cattle prod or flame thrower.

Perhaps I'm over-reacting.....

Sx

Susan@minicrochetmad said...

Haha Sandra, I'm with you on the flame thrower but the cloudy ammonia (full strength) is a very satisfying alternative. Dogs tend to back off very fast after a shot of that round the muzzle and it's easier to explain to the authorities ;)

Karin F. said...

I would buy both! Spray the dog with the pepper spray & then give its owner a good poke where it hurts most with the cattle prod.
My Luna was racing around in our fenced yard when a dog from next door jumped the fence, ran after Luna, caught & gave her a good nip on her back end, breaking the skin. A $360 visit to the emergency vet clinic and me presenting the dogs owner with the bill, has ensured that they keep their animals on their side of the fence.
hugs ~K

Debbie said...

Sandra, I hope you and Small Dog are now both recovered from your ordeal. People really need to take control of their Dogs. Its not the Dogs fault, but the owners, not having it under control.
I have to admit I did laugh at Small Dogs, Velcro incident..

Sandra Morris said...

Karin....
How awful for your dog! Hope she made a fast recovery.

Debbie....
Completely agree... some people just shouldn't be allowed to own dogs, or any animals come to that.

Sx