Just got a good scare...

[YellowRubberDuckie]

Took the dog for a walk, and on the way back, she was sniffing around people's feet and we met a really nice, beautiful couple who had just been to the National Memorial Museum. The husband looked an awful lot like Cedric the Entertainer, but of course, was not. They got into their car that was parked in the lot across the street from my building. I walked on, and passed one of the grumpy old men who lives in my building. He really doesn't like women, so he ignored my existence. Prudence growled at him.
So, I'm getting up to the corner to cross and go back in, when the couple pulls up and tells me that someone is following me. While Prudence was doing her business on some grass near the sidewalk at the other end of the block, I passed a dude in an Army T-shirt that was tucked into his straight legged jeans, and he was wearing blue flip flops. He had very little hair. I halfway smiled back when he smiled at me. He creeped me out a little, but he kept walking, so I went on with walking my dog. People are very friendly while they're visiting the memorial. I just didn't think anything of it.
Prudence got done, we were headed back to the trashcan by the corner, and I noticed he was standing there watching the people who were looking at the chain link fence. I continued on my way.
The couple yelled at us that there was someone following me and that I should be careful. I didn't notice him, but he was following me. HE turned around and walked back the other way as soon as he saw the old man walk past me. Very abrupt. I guess it scared them, and they wanted to make sure I was OK. I picked up Prudence and we jay walked back to the building and hurried in.
What the heck? Now I can't walk my dog by myself? He's an idiot to think to try anything with 40 people at the other end of the block, building security watching, and National Park Rangers at the National Memorial. But I am starting to get a little freaked out by the whole thing. What in the hell is this world coming to? I'm almost scared to take my dog for her mid evening walk now.
Duckie

[havocmom]

1. Any friends with a much bigger dog you could borrow for walk time?

Sometimes a bit of assertive posture along with a big dog does wonders.

Be careful out there, but don't let the world make you a prisoner in your own home.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

5. I don't really know many people in the building...

And Prudence is not really into other dogs. She does like Charlie, but he's not really a big dog.
Duckie

[Deja Q]

2. Holy shit. I'm glad you got out of that situation.

WTF is wrong with people so they stalk and do shit like that anyway?

And why am I swearing freely? Oh well...

Stay safe.

:hug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. You're posting!!

YEA!
:hug:
So glad to see you back.
I'm about to go out and walk her again. I'll see if he's still out here. I think I'm going to make Skip go with me.
Duckie

[Haole Girl]

4. I'm sorry that happened to you

Hopefully, it was just a freak thing. A woman should certainly be able to walk her dog, on daylight hours, without worrying about being attacked. I would suggest either a self-defense course, and/or some mace for protection. I took two different self-defense courses and carry mace... and have other means of protecting myself, too (not to make you paranoid). :hug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

6. Well, I know basic Defensive techniques....

....and if anyone tries to rape me, I know to pee all over them. :evilgrin: And with the shirt I had on, I could have told him I was pregnant, and that sometimes helps to ward people off.
Skip's going to get me some pepper spray.
Duckie

[SPKrazy]

7. Mace... an air horn thing,

The memorial is nice, but it is also downtown and there are always going to be people wandering around.

I'm glad you are safe :hug:

please be careful but don't let fear take over here, I know that it is a different world for women than men, but just use vigilance and caution and teach that dog to growl ferociously when it is approached.

:hug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

8. Most of the people who approach are nice and just think she's cute...

I love talking to all the people. When I walk the dog alone from now on, Skip is going to watch from the balcony and talk to me on the phone. It's fun and I get to go by myself. It makes me feel safe.

There are people down there from all over the world this weekend. I'm not sure why, but it's been very fun. They have been so nice, and they all wanted to pet Prudence. She totally ate it up.
Duckie

[flvegan]

9. Find a good self-defense course that you can take.

It's not all about the ability to fight, but it can also help raise your confidence level in this situation. And no, not one of these MMA forms, but a good course geared towards real-life street defense for women.

Learn how to do the most damage to a man in the least amount of time. It should be every woman's mantra these days, I'm sad to say.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

10. I was taught basic defense when I worked at the detention center.

I for some reason wasn't really that nervous about it until I got inside, and told the concierge in the lobby of my building. She got scared and it hit me.
I don't know why, but I think since I got right back out there, I'm not really scared anymore. And Skip will be watching from now on.
I think I am also more worried about Prudence and what she would have done. She's getting more protective of us as the time goes on.
Duckie

[flvegan]

12. Keep in mind

that, especially in public, the last thing any perp wants is vision (light) and sound. A good barking dog, regardless of size, is a great deterrent. Dogs can also sense stuff that you can't. Heart rate, body changes. Listen to that dog.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

14. She didn't bark or growl at him when we passed him earlier though...

She may have been too busy finding a spot.

[Jack_Dawson]

11. It sounds like he was...lost?

Not sure we need to be that alarmed. :beer:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

13. There is a large population of homeless people down here...

And there are some that are quite crime prone. They've had to hire security for the church and their parking lot. This is the first time I've had a problem, though...no...second. The first was the drunk dude who flashed his naughty bits, took a piss, then laid down to sleep in it. He got arrested...because we called the cops.
Duckie