Trepidation

I have heard many stories recently about robberies, thefts and violent acts by desperate people. This economy certainly makes a lot of people desperate and it also makes the rest of us a little nervous. I'm not one to shy away from doing something that I enjoy doing. It might be reckless or stupid but there are few things that make me happy and walking at night is one of those things. A few nights ago I took the dogs for a late night romp outside. I couldn't sleep so I figured the fresh air couldn't hurt. I was walking in a thoughtful haze, enough of a haze that is not recommended when walking so late. I'm paranoid. I look and listen to make sure that no one is following me. I have real reasons for such paranoia. First, my home was broken into several years ago and I was fortunate enough not to have been home at the time. I had broken my regular routine. Had I not done so, well who knows what would have happened. The police reassuringly told me that because nothing but a special token was stolen that the perpetrators were waiting specifically for me. GREAT. The can make anyone paranoid forevermore! 

So as I was walking with the pups, I noticed that the world was still and silent. That is actually the beauty of a late night. I avoided the areas were there were no lights and the places that would not allow for escape if such a thing were to ever become a necessity. Simba typically gives a warning bark at night if something or someone unexpected is around. Buddha merely looks menacing but I highly doubt he would protect me in case of emergency. While on the walk, I noticed a solitary figure and so did Simba. He started his typical barking and the person left. I have no way of knowing what that person was doing but it made me wonder if Simba's barking was a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand I could try to evade a potential attacker before they notice me if Simba did not make a sound. On the other hand, maybe his bark sounds scary enough that a potential attacker would not want to bother? 

Is it sad that these thoughts go through my mind? Sure. Sadly, this is the reality.

Just last week, my friends sister was robbed at gun point by masked men. She was lucky to walk away with her life. The world changes but it still stays the same. 

I miss the days when I could take a late night stroll without looking over my shoulder.

One of the best feelings is walking in the silence of the night and feeling the gentle breeze on my skin. When I lived in Florida my evenings were filled with sleeplessness. When the clock struck 3 am I was outside and entirely alone in a place where no one knew my name. I didn't own dogs at that time and my walks would leave me in a whirlwind of thought. How dangerous were these walks? Well, after my home was broken into one random day, the police told me that it was stupid for me to walk outside so late and so alone.

Now I have two dogs who can alert me of any dangers lurking in the dark. Their senses are much more acute and they are always alert. Simba always warns if there is someone close by. Buddha gets a very serious stare and freezes like a statue. He might look menacing but I'm not sure he would actually do anything if a person approached me. Simba is much more intuitive and if a person makes him uncomfortable he lets them know and gives me a warning.

Crime is everywhere but now with a struggling economy, certain types of crimes are on the rise. Taking a evening stroll might not be the best idea even if it is refreshing. Sad ain't it?