[matese]

I am always prepared, I live in a heavily wooded area, there are also many BIG breed dogs TIED outside behind wooden fences. There is a Rottweiler 3 houses from me, tied outside all day, I cringe when I have to pass that house, always watching to make sure that dog does not break loose and crash through his fence. Many dogs get loose for some reason or another, reason why I do not walk Cody on a daily basis, also he is not dog friendly. BUT, I do have to walk him only in the event should he get out of the house or yard he needs to know where he lives and hopefully will find his way back home. When we take our walks I have to watch the woods in case a dog darts out or a bear is not mosing about, I am always looking behind me to make sure a dog has not gotten loose and is following us (this has happened to me with my passed girl) I have to watch the sky for prey birds, I have to keep calm while doing all this checking, don't want Cody to feel any stress from me. I am always on guard and prepared. Isn't it a shame as small dog owners we have to fear ANY size dog. I was not raised to fear dogs, as a kid we had a beautiful Collie that was NEVER on a leash, my brother and I would take him to a pond near us and swim all afternoon with him, boy how times have changed. So sad.