| When I walk Tyson I am always very much aware | | | | possible attacker comes towards you. Your lead has |
| as to what is around the next corner. | | | | a carefully chosen heavy clasp. Not made of stiffish |
| It could be a turning car, another dog - or even a | | | | leather, the lead is made of medium heavy nylon. |
| mugger. We all read about young girls or young | | | | When it is partly wrapped around your hand, it hangs |
| mothers with prams being attacked when walking | | | | down out of sight behind your buttock for about |
| their dog and left injured or worse. | | | | thirty inches. |
| I'm far from being a young girl or mother, but I'm | | | | Lo and Behold! - you have a very effective modern |
| very much aware of my surroundings. My big hobby | | | | day manrikigusari weapon in your hand. Out of sight |
| is in fact the Martial Arts. A lifelong study, my | | | | and immediately ready to slash across his eyes in the |
| interest now is drawing the attention of pet owners | | | | instant he comes into your personal space, as soon |
| to survival methods if confronted by a robber or | | | | as he comes in close to you. |
| worse. | | | | But did I say - a modern day weapon? Of course |
| What would you do if - when! - a stranger comes up | | | | you haven't, all you have is your dog lead. A |
| to you when you're walking your dog in the park or | | | | perfectly legal article to have when you're out and |
| in the woods? | | | | about minding your own business. |
| 1. Well, the first thing is to be alert and aware of | | | | [Rubbish! It's a very effective weighted manrikigusari |
| what is going on around you. Anyone behaving | | | | chain, Capable of deflecting and countering a samurai |
| unusually, doing something different to what one | | | | sword; well almost] |
| would reasonably expect. Sadly we have to cultivate | | | | You must take his mind. Keeping your WEAPON |
| this attitude these days. As a boy in Wales seventy | | | | tucked out of sight, at the last second look directly |
| years ago it was normal and routine to walk with | | | | past his right ear and scream loudly "HELP!". Although |
| holiday makers through the fields and woods | | | | there's no-one there. He won't know that. In the |
| perfectly safely. Not now! A stranger? - check your | | | | half-second as you scream, SLASH the clasp round |
| escape route immediately! A group of unknown lads - | | | | and through his eyes WHACK! In the same instant |
| change your direction, but casually as if you hadn't | | | | SLASH back again and - RUN! Fast, even faster than |
| really seen them. Don't be where trouble could also | | | | that! |
| be! | | | | But your dog? He will run with you, and the |
| 2. Make sure you have a viable weapon with you. A | | | | attacker's immediate interest is you, not the dog. |
| weapon? Yes, however young or old you are. But is | | | | Nor your baby in the pram - just leave it and RUN. |
| it legal to carry a weapon? | | | | He's not after a baby, he's after YOU! |
| First ask yourself the question - is it legal for the | | | | Give much thought to this. And give even more |
| mugger to smash you on the head with a brick or | | | | thought to practising at a cardboard box in your |
| stab you in the throat with his knife? | | | | garden. In sets of say thirty slashes. |
| You have your dog with you, and perhaps a pram. | | | | Look at the box. Look just past it. Scream "HELP!" |
| He may have a chain around his neck. You will have | | | | (under your breath in the garden) and immediately |
| his lead attached. Chain. Lead ... | | | | (while he is momentarily distracted) double slash the |
| There is a martial art called 'manrikigusari-jutsu' dealing | | | | box. |
| with the use of a chain as a most effective method | | | | It is important that you leave deep score marks in |
| of self defence. So much so that the Guard at old | | | | the box - you really MUST slash into it. |
| Edo Castle in Japan preferred it to his katana sword | | | | If you've got a dog, if you've got a baby as well - |
| when on duty at his Gate. Little used these days, not | | | | Go into your garden NOW! |
| widely studied. | | | | SLASH! |
| But wait a bit - you have a chain with you when the | | | | |