Dear runners, about my dogs… July 11, 2012
Posted by mareserinitatis in pets.Tags: dog, dogs, etiquette, Gigadog, runners
16 comments
It would be much easier to walk the dogs individually, but it’s awfully difficult to find the time, especially with the hot weather. The only time I really have to take them out before the heat sets in is about 6 a.m. So I get everyone leashed up, and we look like this.
Keep in mind…that’s an 1/8 of a ton of dog I’m holding onto.
Today, Rainier left a brown, smelly gift on someone’s lawn. Cleaning this up is not easy while trying to hold onto the dogs. Therefore, I get them to sit down nicely on the sidewalk, and they are pretty good about staying there while I take care of their business.
Except today…because of someone who wasn’t thinking. After this incident, I feel it necessary to convey some etiquette to clueless joggers about dogs. I hope they listen.
Dear runners,
If you see a dog seated on the sidewalk, please make a point to take advantage of the 8 feet of boulevard to your left. Only an idiot or small child runs up to a dog they don’t know. Do NOT try to run directly past them. I am not attempting to ‘own’ the sidewalk. I am telling you this to keep you (and me!) safe. If nothing else, try to remember that running on grass is better for your knees, so you can at least give your knees a break.
1 – Running up to a dog you don’t know is stupid. Not all dogs are friendly to strangers. If you run up to a dog you don’t know, they could very well turn around and bite you as they may think you’re attacking them. I hope not…but some dogs are that way.
2 – Running sets off a chase instinct in many dogs. If they didn’t have an inclination to go after you before, they very well may after they see you running away.
3 – A dog who is friendly may also be excitable, and you running up to the dog is likely to result in that dog jumping on you. I can tell you that having 100 lbs. of excitable fluff jump onto you can be an unpleasant experience.
4 – Running up behind a dog is stupid because, even if those dogs are super friendly with people (like mine are), you may spook them (like you did today), and they may take off running (like they did today). This may result in the person who didn’t see you because she is attempting to pick up poop either having her arm yanked out of the socket or nearly pulled over. All I can say is that I am glad Rainier really doesn’t move fast because he was a great anchor when Gigadog decided to check out these interlopers.
Now that I have clearly established reasons why you were not doing the brightest thing today, I can assure that I will continue to take my dogs to sit on the boulevard and let you pass. I realize not all people like dogs, and I make every effort to keep mine from accosting strangers who have no interest. I would ask that you do the same for me, however, when I am not in a position to see you coming.
Thanks,
Cherish
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