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Issue 23
Wolves, Sheep and Sheep Dogs
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There is terminology used in certain personal defense circles about categories into which people fall.
There are three categories: Wolves, Sheep and Sheep Dogs.
Wolves are the predators - individuals who live
outside the norms of society and that prey on individuals they perceive as weak. Like most wolves in the wild, they
look for targets of opportunity on which they can pounce. They take that which is not
rightfully theirs.
Sheep are the victims. They are individuals that end up being the targets of the
Wolves. Through either the conscious decision not to act in their own best interest, or the fear of aggravating the
Wolves, they end up robbed, assaulted or worse.
Finally, there are the Sheep Dogs. These folks have a couple
of traits that set them apart from the Wolves and the Sheep. First, they're always, "eyes open" - their
Safety Awareness is high. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, they are prepared
to defend themselves and the Sheep from the Wolves.
The first image of a Sheep Dog in the minds of most people
would be of a police officer. They are willing to put themselves in harm's way to protect others.
But
being a Sheep Dog isn't limited to police officers. Anyone - man, woman or child
- can be a Sheep Dog. It's a matter of mindset and training.
You have to first make the decision to take
responsibility for your personal safety. Take a self-defense class, send your kids to a martial arts studio, read books,
watch videos - Get Educated.
You then need to act on that education.
Refine and practice the skills you learn. Know how to appropriately respond to a wide variety of situations.
Realize that the correct response may be to run and get yourself and others out of a bad situation - move the Sheep
to, "safer pastures". Or it may be to put yourself, "in harm's way" if you or others are attacked.
Once you've done that, becoming a Sheep Dog is second nature. You will realize that you can't just sit
by and watch something wrong occur. You'll DO SOMETHING to respond to the bully on the playground, so to speak.
You would no more allow someone to attack the proverbial "little old lady" on the street corner, than you would
watch a family member being assaulted.
It's a choice, and that choice does come with some risks. But
it's also a choice to remain unprepared.
Sheep or Sheep Dog. The choice is yours.
Next Issue: Holiday Crime Realities
Bison Risk Management Associates is a Northern California-based company providing Personal Safety and Emergency Preparedness training, workshops and consulting
for individuals, businesses and organizations.
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