There is nothing like a GDRI (Guide Dog Related Injury) to wake you up on a chilly winters morning. Although in fairness, this wasn’t Fizz’s fault at all.
After the school run we were heading over to catch a bus, but as the weather was bright (although chilly) I had decided we would walk the 20 odd minutes to a stop further away.
A stop that saw us having to walk through a lovely park area that Fizz often gets to run around in.
So I knew her distraction level would be heightened. But this I could manage; I could even handle the other free running dogs coming over to say hello.
Afterall, I didn’t expect them to understand it when their owners were shouting
“Leave, that’s a working dog!”
So, with her harness in my left hand (as usual) and the lead in my right; we navigated through the park.
Several Dogs; ignoring their owners pleas came to say hello. But with a strong
“Leave it, walk on”
Fizz ignored them for the most part….
That was until we met a tiny dog. I say tiny as Fizz had to put her head down some way to sniff (which I could feel through the harness)
I could hear the owners pleas, but they were some way away, so continued with our walk and giving Fizz the command to go on.
But she wouldn’t.
I thought this was just down to the distraction of the dog, so persevered and finally got her to move forward.
And that was when it happened….
I fell forward, landing full pelt onto my hands and knees
When the owner appeared beside me and uttered those words
”Didn’t you see the lead?”
Suprisingly, NO!
It would appear that said small dog ‘Rouge’ was on an EXTREMELY long lead type rope, which the owner used as she (Rouge, not the owner) was so small she would get lost if not attached!
I asked the owner why she hadn’t used the leader to get her dog out of the way and her reply made me laugh
”She may be small, but she is very strong and I can pull and pull on her lead, but she just won’t be moved.”
To give you an idea, this dog was chihuahua sized, but with long hair. Personally I thought she looked like the sort of dog that would blow away if the wind was more than a gentle breeze!
But I kept my comments to myself, picked myself up and making sure the dog wasn’t in front of me, continued on with our walk.
I know that walking through the park can be a distraction for Fizz and I also know that dogs will be running free and want to say hello. What occurred today left me winded! And if I am honest, a little upset. I received no apology; or worse still, no help from the other dog owner.
But it has reminded me that Fizz May be surrounded by distraction, but she still knew what was best for me! Something I don’t give her credit for enough……… Lesson Learned!
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