Not a Bird, a MAN Swooped down to STEAL MY DOG!

[kjc]

When I worked the nightshift downtown, I would occassionally see groups of kids (I think) out at 3AM, hanging on the street corner. I can't tell you how many red lights I drove through... I wasn't about to stop at that hour...and decided I'd rather pay a ticket.

Also, coming out of a store, if I see anything that doesn't look right, I turn around and go back in the store and wait till things look good...

As for dressing the dog... whether people like it or if they think it's silly... they will still look, usually more than once! I had Sapphire dressed one day for a neighborhood walk, and we passed a dog (Pittie) who has chased us in the past. He looked at her and kept cocking his head and made no attempt to follow that day! I think her outfit had him confused so she didn't look so much like a prey item...

Great idea about the trial sized sprays.... and bee spray spays about 20 feet or more, lol. (For those long-distance stalkers!)

[yakkwak]

OMG!!! A Fur-parent's worst nightmare; you are a very brave fur-parent, a HERO. I hope you get rewarded with lots of baby kisses!

[cslat1]

I'm so sorry to hear about your terrible incident. People are just going nuts out there... I'm always on the look out too, but I have never heard of anyone so brazen as to take a dog while the owner is right there holding the leash. What a very sad thing. I hope you are both feeling well now.

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by YazminD

Oh my word! Reading your story more in depth had to be absolutely terrifying at the time! I'm so, so sorry you went through that nightmare with those men!
You must have a lot of inner strength also not want to just shut down and be afraid to leave your home. If it weren't for your instincts, God only knows how that situation would ended!
Thank God your mother was vigilant in keeping an eye on you when you were possibly going to be kidnapped also. We know how that would have ended.
I know I keep repeating "Thank God", but I don't know of any other expression that comes to mind with the thoughts that such horrible evil people exist in this world!
I'm so glad you were taught to be vigilant and knew how to protect yourself even at such a young age and can now help people like me learn to be more aware of our surroundings and to share so many ideas on how to use every day common items like aerosols and simple keys for protection. Thank you.

LOL...Who/whatever it is that 'helps' us deserves our thanks...by whatever name we know them.

To be honest, I wasn't frightened at the time it happened...I am a 'panic after' person...very calm 'during' critical times, actually...then I fall apart...lol

But, to me, using common every day items is sufficient for most situations. You can find what you need almost anywhere, and something is nearly always handy, but, nearly as importantly, you never 'appear armed' yourself. Years before and for many, many years after, I carried a fairly large rock concealed in my pocketbook...yeah, go ahead and laugh...it was funny and I've laughed plenty at it...but that night I didn't take my pocketbook. I always chose a pocketbook with a shoulder strap with a front pocket of some kind for my nice, rounded smooth, large rock to slip down into. It made my pocketbook a bit heavier, but if I'd needed to, I was well practiced swinging a shoulder-strapped pocketbook. lol Practice with shrubs, by the way...no impact to YOUR arms or pocketbook and you can see how accurate your swing is...and practice with the old pocketbook you just replaced.

Originally Posted by YazminD

I grew up in an orphanage that was fenced in to keep the public out until I was a teenager so I lived a pretty sheltered life.
Never feared people and have actually laughed when my BF has been upset about me being out with Yazi after dark. I've told him no one would ever "bother" to attack me,
I just never considered they would go after Yazi.

Oh wow...an orphanage, huh? My aunts and uncles were shuttled off to an orphanage when my father's mother died...she was their stepmother, but my father stayed with his elderly dad. The birth records from the family Bible also went to the orphanage with the older kids...one of his sisters had to go to court years later and 'legally swear' he was born. lol

I cannot imagine the reason for you growing up that way started out happy, but you certainly appear to have an absolutely delightful, positive outlook...this event is just very unfortunate. I still don't think you should fear going out alone in the dark. Just be prepared. Make contact with 'suspicious' ones just 'hovering' near entrances, etc...say "Hi" or "Good Evening" or "Nice Night" or "Cold Out Tonight" or something...no need to be too friendly though...make contact as you pass and move on.

I have never feared people, but I agree there is serious evil out there...caution is a good thing to exercise. I am so glad things worked out for you with Yazi.

Originally Posted by YazminD

...At first I was thinking that because she's the only dog around here that I've seen dressed up, I may be drawing too much attention to her.
On second thought, she's pretty well known by all the shop owners on the Blvd.. A lot of them step out of their shops or have us step in to see what's she's wearing that day. The majority of them know and call Yazi by her name. I know most of them could at least identify her if need be.

It's kind of a 'catch 22' isn't it? While it 'could' put Yazi in a bad situation, so far, it has been shown to be in her very best interest for MOST others to see how loved Yazi is.

[yorkieusa]

Carla, I'm just seeing this and I am so happy that both you and Yazmin are ok. It's a wonder that you both weren't injured badly. Those two guys are true heroes!

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

How completely frightening! Thank goodness you had that little feeling, that momentary perception of a potential problem - it saved you! I read a book about "gut" feelings recently that was so interesting and helped me understand how instantly our brains sense things about people & situations & how beneficial trusting that instinct usually is. I think it doesn't hurt to be just a bit paranoid out in public or around strangers in this day and time! I mean, watch HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell and some of those shows, watch almost any newscast & the stories will curl your hair!!!!

Once I was going to ride up in the hospital employee parking lot after dark with a guy who didn't "look" right, got into the elevator & stepped right back out, walked back onto the concourse & blended back in with the crowd. Just something about that guy weirded me out in a heartbeat & I was outta there. Never had that visceral reaction to anyone happen before or since and never saw him again but I could not stay in that elevator car with that guy after those doors closed for some reason! I always wondered why that happened but I now know from reading that book that there was some perceived slightly threatening or worrisome oddness about him that my brain picked up on that I consciously did not! So I believe in following that little gut feeling or still small voice or prickle that warns you.

No kidding...a book on 'gut' instinct? Fascinating!

A topic for a different forum, perhaps...lol, but I do believe and wholeheartedly agree there is a 'connectedness' that we 'pick up on' at certain times...there is much we do not consciously 'know' but trusting that 'gut' instinct has saved many, from what other people have told me of their own experiences.

Leaving that elevator car like you did may have been the best thing you did for yourself...and us...that day..."us" because, while nothing negative that might have happened can be proven, but possibly because of your actions, you certainly survived, allowing us to meet you here on YT.

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by kjc

When I worked the nightshift downtown, I would occassionally see groups of kids (I think) out at 3AM, hanging on the street corner. I can't tell you how many red lights I drove through... I wasn't about to stop at that hour...and decided I'd rather pay a ticket.

Also, coming out of a store, if I see anything that doesn't look right, I turn around and go back in the store and wait till things look good...

As for dressing the dog... whether people like it or if they think it's silly... they will still look, usually more than once! I had Sapphire dressed one day for a neighborhood walk, and we passed a dog (Pittie) who has chased us in the past. He looked at her and kept cocking his head and made no attempt to follow that day! I think her outfit had him confused so she didn't look so much like a prey item...

Great idea about the trial sized sprays.... and bee spray spays about 20 feet or more, lol. (For those long-distance stalkers!)

Oh yeah...Raid Wasp and Hornet...the ultimate fire hose for trimming off giant wolf spider legs...a doggone accurate spray nozzle.

That is so funny about the Pitt cocking his head trying to figure out what in the world Sapphire was! I can just see it happening and that 'arrrh' sound the cartoon dog "Scooby Doo" makes comes to mind with that mental picture, too.

You were wise to be cautious driving home like that. Once, in the "Combat Zone" in Boston, I watched a car stop at a red light and guys from the corner literally swarmed the car and started kicking and pounding on the doors, windows, top, hood and trunk of the car, denting it before the light went green and those poor people drove away. Nothing looked out of place to me...it happened 'just like that' as 'they' say...lol I suppose they could have known the couple inside car...revenge, etc., but it certainly 'looked' completely 'random' to me. Very freaky.

[ironmike86]

SA is always important. = Situation awareness. Usually I only read this on the gun forums. But ppl need to be careful everywhere you go.PPL are crazy. I ALWAYS have my key in had and gun on my side.

[brezofleur]

Originally Posted by kjc

I would continue to dress her up... the more people you have with eyes on her the better (assuming there are more good people than bad).

Also a word of warning: I've heard of thieves with knives that will cut through a leash to steal a dog.

Car and house keys can work as a weapon: put your key ring in the palm of your hand with the keys stuck out between your fingers and make a fist to swipe at an attacker.

Also carry a whistle...they are small and lightweight and make a ton of noise.

Male:female situations are frequently seen as domestic distubances, and many people would be hesitant to interfere: Shouting words like 'Thief' or 'Fire' will bring more attention and a quicker response (hopefully).

Hope you're feeling better... and I agree... a doctor's report will help in court as well as pics of any bruising.

This is a separate issue, but an equally important one. If you see anyone fighting, call the police! This very sad statement is true. I knew of someone who was raped by her ex-boyfriend and he was following her. One day he followed her to the laundry mat and she started screaming and freaking out. He just laughed and said that she was his wife and not to worry. "He raped me!" was her response and still no one called the police.

That man that tired to steal your baby could have said/done the same and people would have just turned their back. Always be prepared - I'm glad to see such good advice on here!

[Lil Sis]

Omg....just reading this and I am shaking ! I am so glad you were so brave and both you and jasmin are ok. I am just in shock!

[JMuedog]

I'm just now seeing your thread.

I can't believe what people are capable of anymore. I'm so sorry you went through this.

I'm thankful those men came to your aide, that helps restore your faith in people a little bit doesn't it. Yikes, I just can't imagine being in your shoes during that situation. So glad you're both safe.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by bijoux1

To the poster asking about Buddy Belts, I also am a happy happy customer of Kristen's aka username Maximo, and I can't say enough about her wonderful customer service!!

Thank you!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by My guy Charles

Many years ago I had someone come into my backyard and take our 8 year old poodle, thinking she was a puppy because she was so small. She only went out to use the bathroom so we never let her out for more than 5 minutes. City workers were trimming trees in my neighborhood and could see thru my iron gate and they walked in my backyard and took her. My family fell apart!! Every friend and neighbor helped us look for her, we were always suspicious of the city workmen, they even acted odd when we asked them if they had seen her. We cried, we prayed, it was a miserable week! We had signs and pictures up in a 15 mile radius of our home offering a reward. After a long hard week the doorbell rang and it was the city workers holding Katie, asking for the reward.....which I happily gave them... But I always knew in my heart that they were the ones that took her... I think once they got her home, realized she was not a puppy then saw the reward - they opted to return her for money. She was in terrible shape, filthy dirty - and scared to death... They had not been nice to her from what we could tell. But my children and I have never forgotten that horrible time. I cant put into words how happy we were to get her back!!
Sweet Katie died 3 years ago, she was 18 years old.
We still grieve over her, but after that experience we never let her out of our sight again.
Now with my little guy Charlie I am going to be extra careful when walking him.... I had not thought of anyone grabbing him away from me!! Yikes!! That is so scary and so disappointing that people can be so cruel! I am so happy you got your precious baby back! Thanks for sharing your story so that we can all know to be extra careful.

I'm glad you got your Katie back and that she lived a long, happy life.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by navillusc

The best defense is always staying alert and aware of your surroundings. Not just with our fur babies, but ourselves, too.

I had 2 men try to get in the car with me back in the '70's in a crowded, well lit shopping plaza parking lot. They were unsuccessful because I had a sort of 'premonition' that something was 'wrong' and was prepared to open my car door, get in, locking the door on the way in so it'd be locked when it shut, and I'd no sooner shut it than the 2 men came out from beside each side of the van parked in front of me, each trying to open the door on their side of my car. My Yorkie-Poo was with me, and he NEVER let anyone touch Mommy's car without "explaining" it loudly and vigorously to them and even HE did not have time to react before they were past the car...or would have been in there with us if I had not been alert...and, thanks to the powers/angels that be...warned of danger.

I do not fear going out alone...never have...but I stop at the door and look around at everyone and everything before going further, and a few other preparedness things. You will likely be a lot more observant from this point on as well, but do not allow it to ruin your life. This may well be the only time something like this will happen. Enjoy all the time you spend with Yaz.

Very scary experience! I'm glad you locked the doors right away. I do that as a matter of habit now for safety. Although my doors lock automatically when the car starts to move, I don't want to be taken by surprise before I start moving.

Originally Posted by ironmike86

SA is always important. = Situation awareness. Usually I only read this on the gun forums. But ppl need to be careful everywhere you go.PPL are crazy. I ALWAYS have my key in had and gun on my side.

I agree with SA and it is something that I have to actively remind myself of because I have been more preoccupied lately. Being a tall woman, I am not a typical target, but I think that is changing with the bad guys becoming more brazen. Last year, I had a man approach me in a Target parking lot in the middle of the day. I didn't break my stride and I put my hand up in the stop position. I was ready to throw my cup of hot coffee on him if necessary. Luckily, I scared him off.

Speaking of crazy, we had a guy in the DC area going to shopping malls and stabbing people in the rear end. He was eventually caught, but who knows what his motive was.

[concretegurl]

Stabbing people in malls?

It was one thing when we had the HIV needler (never caught and no not an urban myth as snopes says...) some weirdo poking people at Bay Area/Sacrament Area raves with hypodermic needles, I mean half the places were abandoned warehouses, people on drugs and dark, unsavory atmosphere...not a public mall in day light!

I guess there is something to be said about in plain sight.

What tge freak is wrong with these sickos?