I should begin this with the disclaimer that I have dog-owning friends who respect that not everyone loves their dogs as much as they do, and friends whose dogs know how to act around people. This isn't aimed at them, but for the remaining 70-75% of dog owners I encounter on a fairly regular basis.
     When I was a little girl I was petrified of dogs. I was accidentally knocked over one time and that was enough for me. But, as I grew up, I went into something of a cooling off period. I became more or less indifferent to them. Now, I'm heading back into that completely anti-dog territory.
      Mike and I were mowing the lawn a few weeks ago shortly after the "Under Contract" sign went up next door. After we were done, I turned to Mike with a big grin on my face and said, "Do you realize that we're not going to have to deal with those yippy mongrels anymore?" We basked in the happy thought. Imagine, being able to actually go outside in our own yard without being barked at through the fence the whole time. Sure enough, our neighbors left and took the Yiptastic Two with them. We got new neighbors and everything was great until they got settled in and realized the only thing that would make their new home picture perfect was a dog. I don't know, maybe they always had the dog and just waited until everything was ready to bring him home. All I know is that I was living the cautionary sentence: "Be careful what you wish for." There's only one thing I hate more than a tiny ankle biter, and that's a big dog. Today I took some trash out to the side of the house and instead of the old, high-pitched barks, I was greeted with a terrifying, deep bark. It was the kind of bark that reverberates through your whole body. It certainly got my attention. I actually whipped around to make sure he wasn't there, ready to attack. Thankfully, the fence seemed to be holding him quite well. I wasted no time getting back in the house, lamenting the fact that there was now a new dog whose whole life purpose seems to be sitting in the backyard and barking at the neighbors (i.e.: us.)
     I guess I can't blame the dogs too much. Most of the blame lies with the owners. Maybe they're too blinded with love and affection to see what's going on. (Hmmm...not unlike some parents I know...but that's another blog entry.) If your dog is 10 lbs. and runs up to greet me at the door, I'm not going to care that much. If that dog completely lost its mind and started attacking me, the worst I'd be dealing with would probably be some stitches and maybe some shots depending on what made your dog go crazy. When your dog weighs more than I do and comes running up at me at full speed to say hello, I'm going to get scared. Don't be offended, don't try to make me feel silly because "she wouldn't hurt anyone" - your dog could kill me. Heck, your dog could actually love me to death. I know someone whose dog is so big it practically knocks me over just nudging me with its nose. It's very unsettling. Now, if I'm at someone's house, there's not a lot I can say. That's my friend's house and my friend's dog, and I'm just going to have to grin and bear it. It bothers me the most when I'm out in public, or when people take it upon themselves to bring their dog because "he's a member of the family." No, he's not. I doubt I'd feel the cold, wet nose of your kid on my arm while I was trying to eat (that has happened so many times, I can't even tell you...with the dogs, I mean.)
     So, here are my parting thoughts. First of all, remember that you live with the dog every day and have a comfortable relationship with him. No one else has that. Don't take for granted that other people aren't going to be as OK with him being all up in their space as you are. It may seem ridiculous to you because you know your dog and know he wouldn't hurt a fly, but it's not all about you or your dog. For some people, violent tendencies aren't the issue. Any animal that can overpower me is intimidating to me, I don't care how friendly. In fact, it's the extra-affectionate dogs that usually bother me the most. Second of all, no matter how much he may seem like a family member to you, he's still an animal. Maybe keep him away from the table while other people are eating, or remember that other people won't find his affectionate face licking as adorable as you do. Thirdly, safety isn't just a priority for you. You may buy a big hulking dog because you want to feel safe, but if he growls at barks at everyone in proximity - including the neighbors in their own yards - then that's a problem because you're taking away their feeling of safety and security. You may be too self-centered to appreciate that it's a problem, or may just write it off because you know your dog is all bark and no bite (see parting thought #1), but it's a problem. Finally, this may seem inconceivable to you, but some people don't love animals. It's not a character flaw, a quirk, or something they can be cured of with enough exposure to your precious little puppy. Please respect that next time you think about bringing your pooch to what is expected to be an all-human event.
     Thank you. That is all.