Out and About

I suppose this is a moan, but I want to put it out there all the same!

I walk my dog once a day on a well used public path, even in icy weather such as we have experienced lately. In winter this is doable with extreme care.

Looking out for selfish cyclists, not all by any means, but those who tear past with no warning is par for the course. I look behind me several times a minute to make sure I can get my dog on the lead in good time, what with him being sure to chase them.

Most dog walkers upon seeing my approach put their dogs on the lead, just as I do, making sure they see me doing so. There is always one though!

As I reached the point in my walk where I turn back, a man approached with his Cocker Spaniel. I as usual made an exaggerated move to put my dog on the lead, this should hopefully make him think of leashing his own dog. No this time; the Spaniel came rushing over and proceeded to sniff my SBT, who then wrapped the lead around my legs, sending me to the icy ground.

The man carried on walking, calling his dog as he passed my prone form. I yelled at him “hello, I’m actually on the ground here?”. OK, perhaps not as politely as that!

I am not naive. I know well enough that people often are wrapped up in their own thoughts, and quite frankly don’t give that much of a damn about those they pass by, especially not disabled people, but surely they should say something when they indirectly cause someone to fall? Are we no more worthy of comment than inanimate objects lying on the ground?