Walking Dogs As Bonding and Building More Safety

The latest manifestation of my 'safety creation' or 'free security and support person' theory is an unlikely one: being a dog walker.

Last year, I started a long-term volunteer safety escort with a female friend who recently had knee replacement surgery. Adding myself as a 'free security and support' person included an unexpected bonus: meeting two delightful dogs, one of whom I began walking after she told me he had weight gain and mobility issues.

Her thirteen year old dog I walk is a soulful 'Shiba Inu' breed named Fry. I playfully nicknamed him, 'The Terror of the Underworld' in honor of our often nocturnal adventures.

Dog lovers know how walking furry family members is a serious responsibility. The 'hooman' must be alert for red flags ranging from inedible objects on the ground, 'no-go' zones for using the bathroom to combative canines and other animals, including two-legged opponents on foot or in vehicles.

Dog walking incorporates 'safety creation' skills usually reserved for human interaction: rapport-building, schedule-making and somber competencies like threat assessment and self defense.

Community watch advocates have long recommended dog walking as a subtle method where suspicious or criminal activity can be identified. The presence of dogs and their companions can displace sketchy individuals at parks.

We've all heard horror stories of dogs and walkers mauled in sudden confrontations. Sometimes a few have fallen victim to armed robbery or stray gunfire.

They've also stumbled upon lost children and property or bring closure to cases where a deceased person is accidentally discovered.

This is my second stint as a dog walker and I highly recommend it.

Walking dogs is an opportunity for 'safety creators' to bond with community members both 'hooman' and canine, which builds more safety in a wonderful new way.

Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black does 'Borrow A Brother' volunteer safety escorts for female friends and worthy causes in New Orleans.