Flossie and I receive unwanted attention

Walking alone can be unsettling at times, especially when you’re exploring remote parts of the countryside.

I’ve had very few troubling incidents on the thousands of walks with Flossie and my previous dog over the last 20 years. 

I always have my wits about me though, and I feel confident that Flossie would protect me. She is unsure around strangers, especially men, and can bark alarmingly loudly.

Not so long ago, unusually, I had a troubling encounter with a man I’d never seen before. As we walked down a local lane, this man allowed his off-lead dog to charge up to Flossie, who was on the lead, at alarming speed. 

Flossie does not respond well to this type of behaviour and wears a bright yellow ‘I need space’ sleeve on her lead. So I called out to the man and asked him to please keep his dog away.

He took no notice and continued to walk right up to us. Flossie was now barking at his dog, no doubt telling it to back off in doggy language. 

The man apparently thought it was the right time to attempt conversation, seemingly oblivious to my now raging dog and requests for him to give us some space. 

Having politely asked him to move away several times, which he ignored, I executed an about turn and marched off in the opposite direction in an attempt to create some distance. 

He followed, persistently trying to talk to me. This was unnerving, especially as there was nobody else around.

Eventually, I had to be rather rude. 

I shouted, which is not in my nature, for him to go away and leave us alone. My heart was beating out of my chest.

At last, he got the message and walked away, taking his exuberant dog with him. 

Maybe he was just trying to be friendly. I’m sure he thought I was extremely unfriendly, but I did not appreciate my multiple requests being ignored. 

And no woman wants to be followed by a stranger, ever.

As published in the Bath Chronicle, 24 September 2026