Ok, so I have written this post in my head many times, then changed my mind before actually typing it out. But Saturday was the last straw. Please forgive me if this offends you. I am speaking of no one's dog in particular - it's more of a general dislike towards the entire species. I understand that dogs are "man's best friend", a great companion, heros at times, these days they seem elevated to the position of a child, but let me just get my feelings off my chest.
I never had a dog growing up, I don't even remember ever wanting one. We had a cat (which my brother wanted) and I never really even learned how to hold her. I wanted a rabbit and got Opie one Christmas. The first day was good, he peed on my bed but otherwise we were getting along great. I put him in his cage in the backyard and from that point on our relationship consisted of me putting food in his cage and trying not to get bitten. We had a couple cats but I can honestly say I never bonded with them. After Steven and I got married we would run together in our old neighborhood. Several times dogs would bark and sometimes approach us and Steven would continually try to teach me to be calm, not look the dog in the eye, etc, but I failed miserably. The dog can always tell I'm afraid and that does not invoke compassion - only more aggression it seems.
Sadie is not like me, she loves dogs and has always asked for one. Steven really thought I would change my mind but he's known me long enough to realize I can't even warm up to the nice dogs. Don't get me wrong - I am dismayed to hear about animal cruelty, I wish no dog harm (unless he's the one barking and growling at me or has harmed a child), they just don't do anything for me. And hear's my main complaint. I have many times now been innocently jogging or walking down the street when a unleashed dog will take off running and barking at me like I'm a criminal. Oftentimes, thankfully, the owner is near and immediately begins yelling at the dog to come back. Guess what? They never do. Seriously, I have never had a dog obey in that situation. I know, I know, my kids don't always listen, I'm ok with the disobedience. What irritates me the most is when the owner tries to reassure my terrified self that "he's nice", "he's never bitten" or my all time favorite "he wouldn't eat butter off a hot biscuit!" I'm sorry, people, that may all be true but when an animal that is kin to a WOLF is charging at me and growling, showing his teeth, your words are not reassuring. What I would prefer is for you to actually catch your animal and hold onto them while I jog past and smile at you on the public street. Is that too much to ask? I know dogs serve a very important purpose in most people's lives, I just had to share the other side of the story. Check back in 10 years, my kids might eventually wear me down and I'll get all attached and blind to my own little wild puppy. In the meantime I'll be jogging down a different street.:)
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