A difficult walk? Not really............

[josie&holly]

Yesterday morning I had been out so took Holly a short walk down to local field when I got back in. She was on her lead and we were on far side of field from a young girl I had seen with a Scottie and a black labrador type dog. They were on lead as they were near the road but then I saw her take the leads off. However, as I was some distance I thought I would be off field before they were round where I was. Wrong! Next thing I knew a Scottie was sniffing Holly and she seemed happy but then the other bigger dog arrived and jumped onto Holly! Holly immediately panicked and ran with me hanging onto lead when I must have caught my foot on the uneven ground and suddenly I was on my knees with a demented Cairn running round me so that I was wrapped up in her lead.......... she pulled again and I was on my side. I managed to get up and untangle myself still holding onto to Holly who would not keep still. The young girl asked if I was all right and she had let them off lead as her Mother said they needed more exercise!

I managed to get up and hobble back home as my ankle was paining me. I found it was a little swollen and very painful. My shoulders were also paining me.

A friend rang in afternoon and I was telling her about this so she came and dropped me at local hospital to get checked out. Luckily after a couple of hours wait and after Xrays I found I had just strained the muscles in shoulder and ankle and there were no serious problems.

However, when the Doctor asked me what had happened and I said my dog had pulled me over - she said - you have a alsation or large dog then? - No, I said - I have a little Cairn Terrier! She was amazed............. I don't think she believed that a little dog could cause me to fall over.

My ankle has gone down today and is still a little sore but I won't be walking Holly near any more larger dogs off lead if I can help it.

ps luckily I did not fall in any of the dog poop that careless owners do not pick up from that field!

[Tracy A.]

ps luckily I did not fall in any of the dog poop that careless owners do not pick up from that field!

Wow, sorry to hear about your close call but glad to hear that you didn't break anything.

yes, these little dogs are strong and if your not braced they can pull you over.

Glad to hear that there was one bright spot in the day... dog poop can ruin anyones day.

[bradl]

Oh dear, sorry you took a fall People have no idea how strong (and fast) these little dogs can be. May your recovery be swift and complete!

[Nikki]

I am glad your ankle went down today! take some Iv profen it will help with the pain and swelling. hey at least you didn't break your ankle like I did . or step in dog poop!

[rallycairn]

All of you guys are much more tolerant than I keeping the focus on Holly's strength! Me, I would have been steamed at the girl for letting her dogs off-leash with no better control than that. And I'dve gotten her number to call Mum to let her know of the incident, too, if it was indeed Mum's poor judgment that led to the taking off of the leashes. And if the girl was really young, then I'd STILL be calling wondering why that young a child is walking two dogs without adult supervision.

You felt it necessary to go to the hospital, for goodness's sake, this wasn't just a minor incident. Not Holly's fault at all and glad you're both okay!

[josie&holly]

Thanks for your kind comments............ankle is normal size this evening and have rested it well today. Shoulders still ache though.

Rallycairn - I see this girl pass with dogs regularly - either on own [she looks about 14/15] or with a parent. She said reason they were getting extra exercise was they were going away for a few days.So I presume they were going off in long car journey. So next week I will look out for them again and say something to a parent about where and when suitable for dogs to be off lead.

No it wasn't Holly's fault and I gave her lots of fuss when I got up to show not mad at her.

I hung on to her like I did because I just did not her running off and onto road.

[hheldorfer]

Very glad to hear you're feeling better! Heavens, these little dogs can really pull you around, can't they? I've actually skated over icy sidewalks this winter (not intentionally!) with Buffy pulling me. On the other hand, she has also steadied me a few times when I was about to go down.

Extra scritches to Holly.

[biochembelle]

Glad to hear you're ok. While the situation is serious, I imagine that you being wrapped up like a mummy and tipping over must have been quite a sight!

When I got Kenna, I started having back pain from her tugging on the leash throughout our walks. When my chiropractor asked what kind of dog I had and I told him a Cairn terrier, he asked how hard could a small dog possibly pull. If he only knew. Fortunately, Kenna has settled into a steadier pace on our walks, though on occasion she still nearly jerks me off my feet. I must confess, sometimes I get even.

[kjwarnold]

Glad to hear it all turned out okay. These Cairns can certainly pull! I've got tendonitis in my right elbow from Kirby pulling so hard all the time.

[Hawkeye]

Glad to hear your feeling better and your injuries were not more serious. It can be scary seeing an unleashed dog coming at you not knowing how they will react to you and your dog. Hope your shoulder gets better quickly.

[Angieh]

Oh my! Cairns are much stronger than they look. I'm sorry you got tangled in Holly's leash and I hope your ankle keeps feeling better.

[Malcolm's Dad]

Sorry to hear about the discomfort, glad it isn't a more serious injury. There are times I have to hold Malcolm's leash with two hands. It must be funny to see a little dog dragging around a human.

[beccadiane374]

Sorry to hear of your accident...hope it's better by now.

I feel your pain abt. the field & dog poo...I walk Tanner in a field that others often don't clean up after their dogs & some of the dogs must be rather large, based on the size of their poo.

I've also had some instances w/off leash dogs, as well. One, a yellow lab that has a habit of jumping on people. I'm rather short & he could easily get his front paws on my shoulders. He had gotten loose & trying to wrestle the big guy back over to his house & get him tied up again (the owners either weren't home or just didn't answer the door) messed up my clothes & made me late for work...some people should maybe not own dogs.....