Me and Mizz Fizz have some amazing journeys together, she is my independance, she is my world, just as Vicky was before her. And I will do all I can to protect her, as she protects me.
Several weeks ago on one of our walks we ‘only just’ missed the green man to cross the road. Not an issue though, it just meant we both knew we were in for a bit of a long wait. As the lights in question run in a sequence for the traffic as well as for pedestrians.
So, to save my arm and to help Fizz feel more comfortable I let her handled drop (not literally, a term to explain it sitting against her back). Several people came and stood awaiting the lights to change. A small group of college girls were amongst them. They politely asked if they could stoke the dog, I said they could, until I took hold of the harness.
They only quickly stroked her and then crossed the road, they crossed when there was a gap in the traffic, rather than waiting for the green man.
As they crossed they were laughing with each other. I thought nothing of it and less than a moment later, the lights changed and it was time for us to cross.
I picked up the harness and gave Fizz the command to go…… That’s when it happened.
Fizz took a step forward and I followed, but on the next step I lost the tension on the harness and found myself infront of Fizz while crossing the road.
I felt panicked, why wasn’t she walking? I focused down and that was when I found out.
We had been the subject of the girls joke. While stroking her, it appears that one of them had Unclipped her harness.
Which when I walked forward had moved off her.
Thankfully her lead was still attached and I still had control of her. I quickly moved us off of the road.
Once on the safety of the path, I checked her harness, no break, no damage. I clipped it back together and checked, it wasn’t loose, it didn’t even wiggle when I moved it. It was clear that it had been Unclipped.
Mizz Fizz and myself were safe, Fizz was no worse for her ordeal, but I was still quite shaken.
I couldn’t believe that someone would think of doing something like that, let alone ACTUALLY do it as a joke.
Thankfully they didn’t undo her lead too. I really don’t know or want to think about what could have happened.
Fizz has a lock button on her collar to stop it being Unclipped, since this incident I have made sure that not only is this locked, but that the catch on her collar sits on her neck underneath her mouth (so that it is harder to reach)
I find myself feeling nervous When groups are near us at crossings and will not allow anyone to stroke Fizz now.
