It was a perfect day to go for an afternoon walk with Skye.  Her leashed jingled loudly as I grabbed it from the door knob.  Skye ran over with a smile  stretching across her petite face.

She loved her daily walks because she could explore her world.  She would sniff every light pole and taste every flourished flower.

And what she loved more than anything else was leading her adventures as I trekked behind.

Skye would prance down the sidewalk wagging her tail to greet her neighbors as she passed by.

“Aww! She’s so cute.  What’s her name?”  Strangers would ask.

Skye would always take advantage of the attention and jump on their leg in need of a head rub.

And when she had enough, she’ll lead us off and wag goodbye.

Along the way, there will always be other furry friends–the beauty baby bulldog,  the cool calm Cocker Spaniel,  and then there was the moody mysterious Maltese.  .

“Arf! Arf! Arf!” A Maltese yapped loudly at Skye.

Skye paused in her track and tilted her head from left to right.

“Why is she so moody?  Yesterday, she was happy to see Skye?”  I thought.

Maybe she was telling Skye, she didn’t want to go back inside because her owner carried her into their building.  Skye simply wagged goodbye.

Nothing ever stole her joy, until we turned the corner that day.  

Skye, halted in the middle of the sidewalk.  Her tail dropped to the ground, followed by her head and then her smile.

 “What is it, girl?”

She curled up in a ball.

“Gggrrrrr!!!!”

 “OH MY GOSH!” I screamed and attempted to pull Skye’s leash near me.

 “NOOOO!! STOP!”  I cried.

But my plea for mercy just wasn’t enough to stop this unleashed dog’s attack.

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Thankfully, this was a fictional story about Skye and I.  But I wanted to bring light to this ongoing issue that has victimized innocent pets, their owners, and locals due to unleashed dogs and strays.

In fact, every week,  I’m constantly witnessing owners walking their unleashed dog throughout my neighborhood and along the sidewalks of urban city communities. They simply disregard the notices from my property managers and local animal control units to leash their pet.  Instead, some of them live by their own rules that eventually harms us and potentially their own furry friend.

For instance, I would like for you to read my friend’s Bri story, “Fight or Flight.”  She shares her recent dog attack that caused physical damage to her forearm and emotional stress to her five month old Yorkie, Queenie.  Click here

This is just one of many stories caused by this growing issue.  So in the meantime, please remind everyone with a furry friend to attend to their leashed pets and/or report abandoned animals  to their local animal control unit, asap. Our pets are family and we would like to keep them safe and happy.

XO,

Ce & Skye

P. S.

Have tips or suggestions for a safer dog walk?  Please leave a comment below.