Chimera Kennels

This is a real life event that happened to my wife on Sunday evening...(no surprise to me since unemployment is so high right now and with the holiday season upon us, as crime seems to be on the rise).

It was about 6:30 PM. Dark, but not late.

My wife came out of Wal-mart with our daughter Courtney and their "goods" from shopping. She went to the 4runner, opened up the hatch and gave the keys to Courtney to get in the car. It was cold, so she told Courtney to go ahead and crank it while my wife continued to load the "goods."

She noticed an old pick up drive by slow and look at her, but it drove around so she didn't think much of it. Then when my wife was done loading up the stuff, she closed the hatch and the pick up was behind her. A man in the truck said, "Excuse me." My wife turned around to face the voice that she believed to be speaking to her, but did NOT approach the vehicle. When she did so, she saw a shiny object that she believes was a gun in the man's lap, meanwhile the man lifted the object up (it was dark and my wife couldn't see everything very well and the "gun" was largely covered by the man's hands). Then he said, "I'm sorry for doing this, but..."

At that point, my wife turned immediately back to her vehicle, jumped in, and drove to the front of the store while calling 911. She reported what she believed to be an attempted robbery.

The man in the truck drove off.

My wife put her window down and spoke to an employee that was pushing carts back to the store.

She did not yell "help" or anything. I believe in many cases yelling for help would be wise, but given her vehicle was running and given that she believed the man had a gun, I am glad she didn't and instead just jumped in the vehicle without upsetting the man by "causing a scene."

In the end, no one was harmed, and she was not robbed...so I think she handled it perfectly, but it  caused her acknowledge the importance of self defense and she wondered what she would have done if the guy would have fired his gun.

I personally don't believe most people are likely to fire a gun in a public place to rob someone asdoing so would likely reduce the chances of the robbers success, but I still...it made her think about such. I myself carry, and although I myself may have chosen to just jump in the truck as well (dependent upon the "risk assessment" of cost/gain ratio of doing so as well as "oppertunity/opening" for defense), it certainly doesn't hurt to have other options should they be needed.

It made us wonder what stores a person can shop at with a dog. I have heard one can take a dog to Target, but I don't know if that is true. In fact, I kind of find it hard to believe because I THINK (I don't know) that Target sells food and it is hard to believe that a place that sells food could also allow dogs. IMO though, it would be great if it is allowed.

I know you can take a dog into Bass Pro Shop, and some home depots, but that's only good for so much. I agree that you probably wont find many places that sell groceries and allow dogs. I have heard of people getting protection dogs certified as service dogs and taking them places they normally couldn't. I know I send Kronos with Paula (my wife) when she goes to the store and he just waits in the car for her. That's only really good in the car but it sure makes you less of a target and helps prevent people from forcing their way into the car for a carjacking/kidnapping. That way at least if anything does happen it happens in public close to help.

The only problem with that is leaving a dog in a car is very dependent upon the weather temperature, degree of sunlight/time of day.

Lee, glad your family is safe! When my daughter was little her mom was mugged on the way to the mall they were walking and my daughter was in the stroller. Young black kid  had a knife and she went nuts on him and the kid ran off scared.

I don't know how your walmart is but notice their is no security, they make so much money they don't even worry about shop lifting. the few stores where I used to live had Sherif station outposts in the store but never saw them around, and if you knew how many lawsuits they have against them for people getting robbed in the parking lot,you would choke.They should have full time security roaming the lot. This time of year its easy pickings at super stores and large malls. Waiting a few minutes for that closer spot to open up is worth it, and getting an employee to help you out shouldn't be a problem there's always some standing around. If its just short runs I'd take a dog and keep in car other than that i would get your wife a stun gun for the purse and have it ready when leaving. Another option is having your daughter wait with the cart in the store while your wife runs out to get the vehicle bringing it to the front of the store then loading up. 

 If you wear dark glasses and have the walking harness on the dog would anyone question you?

Mike, I really don't think anyone would question you on that but.....knowing me I would be walking through the mall or a store like that... Dark galsses and a walking harness on the dog.... a real good looking woman would walk by and I would turn my head for a better look . My cover would be blown. :-P

Lee - I am glad your family is ok and everything turned out the way it did.

Ladies beware, this time of year is dangerous for you. Angie (Dragonlady) was approached in broad daylight at the Wal-mart in Richland last week. Young male with his hat pulled down really low went out of his way to approach her and was in "predatory mode". She put her hand on her Kimber .45 under her shirt and went into "defense" mode. As he reached the front of the truck, a couple got to thier vehicle 2 spots over. He turned and put his hand over the side of his face and walked away. She thanked the older couple for saving papework and informed the manager of the situation.She had that "it's not gonna happen to me" mindset and is now more wary of her surroundings. It's a dangerous world out there and not getting better any time soon. Glad Wendy is OK!