[[I usually get up around 3am anyway, my wife and I take the dog for a walk around the neighborhood,]]
If you’re out in rural areas- be careful of coyotes- carry a big stout walking stick too- and aim for the front legs- as hard as you can- don’t go for the body- it won’t do much good if they are rabid- break the front legs- they won’t be able to move then- sounds cruel, but if an animal has rabies- or some large vicious dog is attacking- it’s no holds barred at that point-
Stay safe-
I keep a collapsible baton which a lot of police carry, it is made by Smith and Wesson, it fits in your pocket and can’t be seen if you have your shirt untucked...
When deployed it’s about 18 inches long of solid steel...