Believe it or not, the Doods and I had a stalker. I was walking the three of them down Ventura Boulevard, a busy street in the San Fernando Valley, when someone pulled over in a large SUV. I wasn’t alarmed because people stop all the time to say a friendly hello, take a photo (not kidding), or just to inquire about the dogs. Well, there was one woman who wanted to buy them and asked me to name my price!
THE DOODS We wish we could tell you that Pack Leader makes this stuff up, but she doesn’t. We find it a bit disturbing that it’s all true. We’re thinking of hiring a real dog walker.
Anyhow, this woman, who had a large, barking Briard sitting in the front seat, rolled down her window and asked if I was a dog walker. Assuming she was looking for a professional, I informed her that I was exercising my own pack. She said “okay,” waved and drove off, only to pull over again a half a block later.
This time she asked me a few random dog questions, including why I didn’t have a Briard, and drove off again. And you guessed it, she pulled over a few feet later but this time she parked and got out of the car.
THE DOODS At this point we were getting a little nervous, not to mention offended, especially with her huge dog still barking at us from the front seat. When we got a close look at her, though, we relaxed. She had a good ten years on Pack Leader (who, sorry, is no spring chicken). Not to mention that with her weightlifting, PL could definitely take her.
ELBEE Oh no, did we open the door for one of her bodybuilding pictures!
Sorry I couldn’t help myself. Old habits die hard.
THE DOODS Are we even sure that’s her?
As we chatted, the woman admitted that my reputation had preceded me. I wasn’t sure which reputation but thought it was a bit weird that she had known who I was all along. Then she handed me a business card which I assumed was hers. Wrong again. It was my husband’s! I later found out she had gone to his building and asked the security guard to get it for her.
THE DOODS Now you see why we were relieved that she was old and small?
Really disconcerted by the business card, I told her we had to get going and abruptly walked away. I was being a little rude but under the circumstances I’m sure the etiquette gurus would cut me some slack.
Fortunately I never saw her again but a few weeks later a strange thing happened at the local carwash. When I walked inside to pay, the cashier, who knew me and the Doods well, said “I have something really weird to tell you.” She then shared that an older woman had stopped in a couple of times to ask her if she’d seen me and the dogs.
THE DOODS That’s it. We’re definitely hiring a professional walker and we’re keeping a lower profile on social media.
Hi Ellen,
I enjoy your posts, never dull. I wanted to say “HI” and I remember all the time spent with you hiking and the friendship we shared.
Hi Jo. Always so good to hear from you. If you’ve read any of my hiking posts I know you totally understand. Let me know if you ever want to head up into the mountains. Do you still wear the clean white socks. Hope you and the family are all well.
So sorry to hear about this encounter. We met you and the Doods about 6 months ago at the hospital and we have thoroughly enjoyed your postings. Keep safe.
Of course I remember you Joan. Thanks so much for keeping up with my posts. Really appreciate it. Didn’t mean to make this encounter sound scary. If you’d seen the woman, you’d understand. Hope you’re doing well and please keep reading.