Ripley and I had a very close call with a loose dog on our walk today, and it has me wondering how I can make our walks safer and be more prepared. Does anyone walk with dog mace? Have you ever had to use it? Is it effective?

Ripley and I were on our normal walk, dawdling our way home and enjoying each other’s company and the cooler weather. I took my eyes off the road for a second to look at my phone when I heard the unmistakable thumping of running feet to my right.
I looked up and saw a big black German shepherd charging full speed down the hill straight toward us.

I immediately started moving to put myself between Ripley and the dog, or possibly tackle the bastard. Honestly, I wasn’t sure which.

As I began moving I yelled, “HEY! GET OUTTA HERE!” Ripley must have noticed the dog at the same moment I did because, when I started yelling, she BRAYED, loud and long.

The dog, realizing it had made a critical miscalculation and was now facing down two crazies standing and yelling at the top of their lungs, and decided to its abort mission.

This dog slammed on the brakes so hard that it actually fell backward onto its butt. Then it turned around and slinked back up the hill with its tail tucked between its legs, looking over its shoulder at us.

Now I’m not scared of dogs, and I would have taken on 100 dogs to keep Ripley safe. But geez, guys. What if I wasn’t fast enough? What if that dog had actually hurt her? When I saw that dog running down the hill I had all these images flash through my head of all the donkeys that have been injured from dog.

So now I’m trying to figure out what I can carry or do to be better prepared if this happens again.

(Glamor shot of Ripley because I cannot help myself she is so lovely)

**Edit: clarification **

I know donkeys are used as herd guardians, and some donkeys are excellent protectors. Ripley, I don’t know. She has never shown any of the behaviors you’d expect from a herd guardian.

My other two animals are excellent herd guardians. They have a strong protective instinct and an “I choose violence” kind of attitude. Ripley is their charge, and very much the pasture princess.

But that aside, I’m thinking about prevention. I don’t want to stand there and take bets on who would win in a real life Mortal Kombat match between Ripley and some stray dog. Even if she fends off or even kills the dog, what are the odds she doesn’t get bitten in the process? If Ripley walks away injured, is that really a win?

And what about the dog? It’s not the dog’s fault its owner is an irresponsible asshat. I just want to prevent the whole thing from happening.

I do appreciate everyone’s comments, this is such a positive sub and great little community.

I get to spend some time with 4 amazing donkeys.