My father warned me yesterday that no good deed goes unpunished. I am aware of that but had to speak up and will suffer the consequences.
There’s a saying that there are no bad dogs, only inexperienced owners. I am of the school that the good and those that can be rehabilitated should not be euthanized in shelters. My first was a danger to men and children and I worked day and night with her because when I walked toward her and she was lying down, she jumped up thinking I was going to kick her because that’s what her former owner, a deputy sheriff, did.
Shortly before she died, everyone in the tot lot yelled out “Chani!!!” every time we walked into the park. They came and petted her and we loved it.
My second dog was fine when we got her at six weeks, then lost function and had to have both hips removed as a pup. She’s happy, healthy and will turn nine years old in January. Happiest critter I’ve ever met and I’ve spent over 20 years volunteering with dogs.
She was attacked by a neighbor’s dog shortly after we moved in. We met in a doorway and I asked if they could meet and the owner said yes. Next second, one dog had my Zoe’s jugular in its mouth and the owner dropped the leash and said “severe leash aggression.” I did what one is not supposed to do and grabbed the offending dog’s collar and pulled it away. No apology, no “is Zoe OK?” or offer to pay vet bills. I ran home and my husband and I went through her fur to see if there was any blood or puncture wounds.
That same dog attacked a neighbor the other day. You’ve heard of the 99% before when it comes to economics. I’m talking 99% of good dog owners, but the 1% rule the roost. It’s time for that to stop. It’s not right for an arrogant owner of a vicious dog to make me cross the lobby, sidewalk or street. Yet that’s what they do. “My dog is aggressive and will bite you or your dog, so move. I’m coming through, move Zoe.”
I spoke out, found out the policies and called professionals to find a list of local trainers. I called the preferred pet sitting service that we use and got them to devise a special lunchtime “quickie” walk for dogs of working professionals who crate or leave their dogs alone for many hours, in order to better socialize them. Done.
The legendary Barbara Woodhouse once said (I paraphrase because can’t find it online) “I can train any dog in five minutes, the owner takes longer.”
It’s like politics. Complaining about something without coming up with a solution wastes everyone’s time. Do you need a solution to thicken a sauce or de-grease chicken stock? I’m the answer lady. Enjoy the day, Dee
Cooking with Dee 