Iceland, land of fresh fish, volcanic landscapes, and charming ponies. I’ve visited once and dream of living there for a year – yes, just one year. However, I went to Iceland during the summer when light was an invigorating aura blanketing the capital of Reykjavik for almost twenty hours a day.
(Dogtrotting.net was given a niteyleash to review in exchange for an honest review).
Winter darkness, however, might put a damper on my dream – I can’t imagine 20 hours of no sun per day particularly when I barely survive the shortened winter days of Canada. During the summer at home, I’m heading out energetically to a patio at 8 pm. In January, I’m dreaming of jammies at 5 pm and trying to avoid going outside until morning.
My dog has other ideas.
My dog Victor must go out every four hours or so, regardless of weather or daylight. During the winter, we often walk in the dark. Pitch dark, especially along rural streets near our home.
Night dog walking means one thing: we’re hard to see.
I’ve tried flashing tags on Victor’s collar by they have minimal impact. I’ve tried reflective gear (see my review here) which work if headlights hit us first. I’ve also tried attaching a u-shaped runners’ shoe light around Victor’s collar which works if it doesn’t slip under his chin.
What’s the best solution during nightly dog walks?
Glow-in-the-dark niteyleash leash. (Amazon.com link). So far, this is the most useful single tool (next to carrying a flashlight) I’ve tried because it’s an illuminated rope hanging between me and the dog like a jagged glow stick. Cars see not only me, but the distance Victor is from me.
Even better, cars slow down long before they get to us because the leash looks weird – especially when flashing (which is the second setting) – and evokes caution. Fine by me because so many cars drive far too fast down our residential streets. (City council’s idea to distribute lawn signs demanding drivers “slow down” was a victim of its own success – the signs ran out quickly).
Here are the niteyleash highlights:
- Length is five feet
- The leash lights up completely from end to end thanks to fibre optic and LED technology
- Visible up to ¼ miles away, according to the company
- Water resistant
- One-year warranty
- Necessary AAA batteries are included
- Small button on the handle easily clicks leash on, flashing and off.
Conclusion: niteyleash will accompany Victor and I on night walks from now on, though I might still carry a flashlight to find the poop. However, this leash frees up a hand and creates visibility from all directions. As an oddity – at least in my neighbourhood so far – it makes the curious slow right down, which is fine by me.
As for Iceland? If niteyleash is available there, it’ll have a 20-hour per day application half the year. As for me going back? Maybe … in July and I’ll be riding after sunrise and retiring well before sunset. For now, I hope to survive this Canadian winter and night-time dog walking.
