Comments by silly people

[Carolyn]

Just a bit of a rant. Hubby and I were walking the dogs last night, and approaching us was a man, woman and child in a stroller. As we got closer the man proceeded to walk right around us, bringing him onto the road, so he could avoid us.

The woman must have said something to the effect of, "why are you avoiding them"? He said loud enough for us to hear, "I don't trust them even when they are on lead". I mean geesh our dogs of course took no notice of them, and he was waiting for a response from us. Naturally hubby and I did not oblige him, because his comment wasn't worth a breath of air.

Rather than angering us, we just shook our heads later as we passed. The thing that saddens me, is because of an attitude like that, I doubt that the child in the stroller, will grow up appreciating, the love and companionship that a pet can bring, in particular a dog. Funnily enough the child was chanting, doggy doggy, doggy's and was so excited.

 

[Kase]

Some people don't seem to have a clue, I hope the kid somehow manages to grow up appreciating animals.

 

[tempura tantrum]

I've faced the same kind of crap, and it really is a downer, no matter how much you try to not let it bother you.

You would think that people would stop once in awhile to realize what they can learn from their *children.*

 

[Julie]

To play devil's advocate a little......

I don't take any comments like that personally. In all reality, there are so many irresponsible dog owners out there, that have little or no control over their dogs. (I am NOT saying you are one of them)
These people I assume do not know you. So they have no idea if you have your dog/dogs under control, or whether your dogs are child friendly. And I have found out, just because a dog is leashed does not mean the owner has control. I find myself avoiding other people that are walking dogs, especially if my children are with me. My kids (as I have mentioned on here before) are never allowed to touch or approach strange dogs, even if owner gives permission. Because in my experience there are many owners that think their dogs love children and to find out too late.......they were wrong.
My children love animals and dogs and are not afraid of them, but until they get old enough to decide for themselves, they will only play with familar dogs that I trust. (There is no shortage around here).
So, if we passed each other on a walk, you would probably think I was like them and my kids are not being shown the joy of dogs........But they most definately are. It is better safer now, than sorry later.
But what the man said was kinda rude, I usually give the owner a nice compliment on their dog while I am walking a wide circle to avoid them.
They probably think I am afraid of dogs.LOL, The opposite couldn't be more true. I love them and so do my kids. I just have a respect for the "unknown". Some owners appreciate that, and some take it as an insult.

Anyway, this could be another possibility.

 

[Carolyn]

hey Julie I agree... I mean I wouldn't go up to a s trange dog either... but he was actually on the road lol...and we know darn well that comment was said out aloud to see if we would react..we didn't..we just kept walking at our normal pace lol..

 

[Julie]

You did the right thing.
Sounds like maybe he thought you didn't have a right to be on the sidewalk.

 

[Carolyn]

thats exactly what I thought lol

 

[memyselfandmiah]

I generally try and avoid that kind of situation all together. If I see someone coming towards us, I step off of the sidewalk, and put Thor into a sit-wait. he does real well, but wags his tail and hopes that they will stop.

 

[mojozen]

My dad had that attitude when i was growing up about a lot of large breed dogs - including those hot topic dogs rottweilers, dobermans, german shepherds, pit bulls etc. He would actually try to keep me from leaving the car if we went to a farm that had a large breed dog out on the property. He was never very successful, and i always had a nice knack with dogs...

But by the time I decided to adopt Mojo - my dad's opinion of pit bulls had sunk in. Mojo chose me, and I had to educate myself the FACTS of the breed versus the hype, before I tried to bring him home. I'm still trying to educate my dad, but while he likes Mojo, he's still prejudiced against large breeds in general and pit bulls in particular.

It's a true shame... really.

 

[memyselfandmiah]

Agreed. My Father-in-law still says that since Thor is a Pit mix he only got the looks and not the temprement. I cant get him to grasp the idea that APBT are HUMAN FRIENDLY to a disgusting degree.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

It bothers me when people do stuff like that. Oh yes...look at the big vicious doggie walking nicely on the lead, wagging her tail at the little child, her eyes lit up with joy. Watch as she sits and stays on command, and responds to her name. She'll come in for the kill any moment now....

 

[casablanca1]

Julie makes a good point; it's just common sense to draw your children and other vulnerable family members (elderly, pets) away from strange dogs because you don't know what they or their owner is like. The comment he made was apparently meant to irritate you, which was a bit rude. But you
don't know his story either, and he may have good reason to distrust dogs in general or your breed in particular. The best thing to do is ignore it. I dislike the idea of shaking your head over his woeful ignorance; that's snotty. The guy has a right to his opinion, even if you dislike it.

 

[tempura tantrum]

Meh, I have no problem with people moving out of the way if being around dogs makes them uncomfortable. I have a few good friends that are simply terrified of dogs, no matter what the size, or apparent temperament of the animal. Generally I try to move off to one side of the sidewalk if it looks like someone might be nervous, and I usually give them a bit of a disclaimer if they've got kids; "they're friendly," "their best buddy is an eight year old," etc. etc.

It's the snarky little comment that gets to me. There was absolutely no reason for it to be said. My good friend who is terrified of dogs will often politely let approaching dog owners that she isn't likely to enjoy a greeting by their dog- it's worked for her just about every time, and she's never had to be a snot about it.

In all honesty I see the unwarrented comment (obviously meant to be heard), a lot snottier than the head shake. If we're going off of having a right to an opinion, she's just as warranted to hers as well. (From the sounds of it, the man was never witness to the headshake anyway).

 

[MomOf7]

The thing that saddens me, is because of an attitude like that, I doubt that the child in the stroller, will grow up appreciating, the love and companionship that a pet can bring, in particular a dog. Funnily enough the child was chanting, doggy doggy, doggy's and was so excited.

It could go in the opposite direction and that kid might be one of those kids that brings home all the "strays" Like I did! LOL
To each thier own. I try not to get offended when people dont like my dogs. Thats thier loss not mine. Everyone has the right to have a preference. Just smile and think in the back of your head about all the things they are missing out on.

 

[casablanca1]

In all honesty I see the unwarrented comment (obviously meant to be heard), a lot snottier than the head shake. If we're going off of having a right to an opinion, she's just as warranted to hers as well. (From the sounds of it, the man was never witness to the headshake anyway).

Oh, I agree the comment was snotty too, but you either ignore it or confront it honestly. Responding in kind just makes the whole situation too silly for words.

 

[yoko]

i can under stand why you got angry. my parents are like that too, they let yoshi live inside because i wouldn't move home without her.

on the othe rhand i can see why someone wouldn't trust a leashed dog... ever been into a petsmart or a petco?

 

[Carolyn]

I dislike the idea of shaking your head over his woeful ignorance; that's snotty. The guy has a right to his opinion, even if you dislike it.[/QUOTE]

I may have been called many things in my time but snotty isn't one of them, and probably because I am not. If I have to reiterate then I will. The shaking of the head was done "later after we passed". The individuals were well out of sight and ear shot, and it was dark. Now had you have asked me politely if I was a "Snotty" person, then I could have replied politely that no I am not

Please don't assume that I am something, when you aren't sure if I am or not