Things I Say to Other People While Walking My Dog, Now 8 Months Old
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- “I’m sorry, she gets really excited when she sees another dog.”
- “I’m sorry, she gets really excited when she sees another person.”
- “I’m sorry, she gets really excited when a leaf falls to the ground.”
- “Oh, she’s very dominant. See how your dog has his ears back? Yeah.”
- “Ah, so cute that your dog walked over here and rolled over immediately.”
- “Oh, your dog is Benji, right? … What’s your name again?”
- “No, a shiba inu. It’s like an Akita, but smaller.”
- “No, no, I did not domesticate a fox. She is not a fox.”
- “Yes, I’m sure.”
- “Oh, I’m sorry, she’s a little afraid of kids. I think it’s because you’re the same size and she is confused. Oh, now she is growling at you. Better not to pet her. Sorry.”
- “I think she is afraid of your wheelchair.”
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don’t appreciate #10.
Comment by You don't know me January 24, 2009 @ 9:33 pmI don’t appreciate it either, and it’s worse when you say it out loud to the nice neighbor who broke her leg and all she wants to do is pet a cute puppy. Really, though, this is absolutely nothing against the disabled, but, for whatever reason, my dog is completely frightened by people in wheelchairs. Every time we run into anyone in a wheelchair, I apologize for her growling, scampering-behind-me behavior. Because we live near a bunch of hospitals and nursing homes, this apology happens on almost a daily basis. This is why it is on this Top Ten list. (I get just as embarrassed – if not more so – when I apologize profusely for my puppy’s dominant behavior. After a stare down, she forced a huge, grown boxer to roll over the other day, I had to apologize for that too.)
As a sidenote, I’ve noticed more recently that she also has an aversion (though not as extreme) to people on rollerblades and skateboards. I guess there is something about people on wheels that really freaks her out. It’s a bit strange, because one of the first people we introduced her to as a young puppy was a great woman in a power wheelchair. We met her at the ugly-ass Cerritos Sculpture Gardens. Idgie did great! She let the woman pet and hold her for a few minutes even. Guess it didn’t take.
I want her to be less afraid of people in wheelchairs – and, for that matter, children – but it is so hard to find people who will brave my puppy’s growls for the sake of socialization. We’re working on it. If you’ve got any ideas, send them my way.
Comment by whatyouseeiswhatyoueat January 24, 2009 @ 10:04 pm