I read about this before...

[Q-T-Pie]

...on another thread but couldnt find it. Anyway, I feel I needed to share. Yesterday, the hubby, the kids and Zoe went to DC to attend a festival. We found a nice spot under some trees and spread out our blanket, food, toys etc. The hubby and the kids checked out some exhibits and I stayed on the blanket with Zoe. Anyway, at one point I picked her up to adjust her harness and looked up to see this lady walking towards me in zombie like fashion you know ...eyes transfixed on Zoe with her arms outstretched. So she walked right up to me and didnt say a word but tried to take my baby . Well she messed with the wrong one because I said "What do you think you're doing?" and moved Zoe out of her reach and then she asked if she could hold her. I said "Absolutely NOT!". She then asked why and I explained that you dont just walk up to someone and try to take their pet from their arms!!! Point is-- ask first. GEEZ!

[michiko]

Hmmm.. I think she just wanted to say hello to her. Ya. she should have asked at first before holding her... When people come to me like that, I try to initiate the conversation myself.. and make sure that I hold her and let the person pad her... It happens often to us and I try to pay attention on myself that I make sure to hold the leash and hold her while people can come and say hi;

[xiju]

Sorry to hear you had such a scare on what sounds like a lovely family outing. I am glad you kept your wits about you and hung on tight to Zoe. This is another excellent reminder to us of the dangerous people out there. Thanks for posting.

[Q-T-Pie]

Originally Posted by michiko

Hmmm.. I think she just wanted to say hello to her. Ya. she should have asked at first before holding her... When people come to me like that, I try to initiate the conversation myself.. and make sure that I hold her and let the person pad her... It happens often to us and I try to pay attention on myself that I make sure to hold the leash and hold her while people can come and say hi;

If she was on the ground and someone approached that would be different- and that did happen later- people came over to say hi and asked to pet her- which was fine. What I have a problem with- is my dog being in my arms and someone walking up and trying to take her from me without saying a word- especially with all the yorkies that are stolen.

[Nikki+2]

I seriously don't know what people are thinking sometimes. Why on earth would anyone think it's okay to just grab a stranger's dog?

I remember when I was pregnant, strangers used to actually pat or rub my belly! It was truly unbelievable to me. Then when my daughter was a baby I was always having to watch to make sure strangers didn't try to touch her hands. Some people have no boundaries I guess.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I have not had that specifically happen to me but I have had people want to pick Hot Rod up but I tell them that he is so wiggly that I am afraid that he may wiggle out of their arms. If I am holding him, I will let them pet him. It is always nice when some does ask first...it is only common courtesy. People would just pick a child up, I hope!

[Felina]

Another reason I carry a can of canine mace in my pocket whenever I'm out with my yorkies.

[michiko]

Originally Posted by Q-T-Pie

If she was on the ground and someone approached that would be different- and that did happen later- people came over to say hi and asked to pet her- which was fine. What I have a problem with- is my dog being in my arms and someone walking up and trying to take her from me without saying a word- especially with all the yorkies that are stolen.

okay.. maybe I misunderstood.

[piptickle]

A similar thing happened to me yesterday. I was in town and stood waiting for my friend, I didn't see this man walk up behind me. I felt a tug on the leash and turned round to see this man had Mika in his armsI was just about to freak when I realized that he was mentally disabled, I didn't know what to do I kept hold of her leash and tried to explain that in her excitement she might pee on him and he chuckled and put her down! My heart was pumping and as he walked away I felt such relief!!! You never know how people may react and with him being mentally challenged I didn't want to send him into a panic in case he ran off or dropped Mika When my friend came out of the shop she could see I was upset straight away, I was shaking but I don't think she understood because she wasn't there when it happened. From now on I will be much more vigilant I just never expected anything like that to ever happen!

[jadecomputergal]

I allow adults to pat mine if they ask, but I never allow anyone I don't know to hold them, unless it's a small child. I'm not sure about current statistics without looking, but I know that, for years, Yorkies were the most frequently abducted dogs in America. All mine are chipped, but that does no good if someone abducts them then never takes them to the vet for the vet to find out they're abducted. There are also diseases you have to keep in mind when letting people handle any of your pets. I'd hate to end up in jail for attacking somebody for trying to make away with any of my pets, dogs, cats, or any of the rest of them

[cataholic]

I do not take my dogs out in public. When I take them to the vet I hold them in my lap and tell people they might bite. I don't like strange people touching my dogs or letting their dogs near mine. Especially at the vet. They could be sick or they may attack my dogs! But I am a very overprotective mother to my animals and my sons! I would rather be safe then sorry!

[chachi]

Some people are very nervy and it doesnt suprise me what they try to do anymore

[peanut]

All I can say is be careful, there are some real nut cases out there, after my Petsmart fun with Lexie, I just don't trust people anymore holding them, unless I know them

[Q-T-Pie]

Originally Posted by jadecomputergal

I allow adults to pat mine if they ask, but I never allow anyone I don't know to hold them, unless it's a small child. I'm not sure about current statistics without looking, but I know that, for years, Yorkies were the most frequently abducted dogs in America. All mine are chipped, but that does no good if someone abducts them then never takes them to the vet for the vet to find out they're abducted. There are also diseases you have to keep in mind when letting people handle any of your pets. I'd hate to end up in jail for attacking somebody for trying to make away with any of my pets, dogs, cats, or any of the rest of them

My sentiments exactly!