Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovetodream88  Im so over defending how I feel. And for your information I do stay inside and at home a lot/most of the time due to my "irrational" fears. I dont hate anything or anyone I was raised not to. But "the person down the street with the pit" would effect me and the women that is down the street was walking with her pit one day and we where leaving with Callie and she goes my dog is not friendly so keep her away and if that dog got out not being friendly she might attack a dog or a person. |
I can see this has been a topic that has frustrated you. I can completely understand that it would be hard to ignore your fears. My post was not directed solely at you and you were by no means one of the people that frustrated me with their behavior twords other members. We have been involved in conversations before and I have no hesitation in saying I think you are a sweet person. I didn’t at any point think my post would cause an epiphany to those it was directed at. Love, I was attacked by a Doberman as a child. My mother was attacked by this same Doberman. I am not afraid of Dobermans or large dogs but there are dogs that I am cautious around, not due to breed or size but based on the dogs temperament.
I am also cautious around people. While walking around in bad areas of Puerto Rico I defiantly looked over my shoulder a few times. Am I afraid of Puerto Ricans? Not at all, but I am cautious in areas I don’t know at night just as I am cautious around dogs I don’t know. Just as people, I don’t trust just any dog right off the bat but I’ll give them a shot. Lula now has more doggie friends than I could count. With each new dog she meets, she learns. There are certain things I can’t teach her. She looks to other dogs for that.
My best friend is a “personal protection” dog trainer. She works mostly with Alapaha Blue Blooded Bulldogs. They are very sweet cuddle bugs. Blue is her largest dog. If you are sitting on the floor Indian style he will back up and sit in your lap to be pet. He is very sweet. I love to walk him but while on our walks if a person asks to pet him I will say “I’m sorry, he is not very friendly”. It’s not because is isn’t very friendly it’s because he is not my dog, I do not know him as well as his owner and if something happened (god forbid) I don’t want to be the person on the other side of the leash. Do these dogs play well with mine? Yes! They love my little girl, In fact I think one of her dogs thinks mine is one of her puppies as she had a litter around the same time as my little girl was introduced.
I do something similar when walking my 3 pound Lula. Little sticky-fingered- children will run over and ask to pet “my puppy”. It sounds something like this; “OMG! CAN I PET YOUR PUPPY EEEEEK, ITS SO CUTE!!!!!!”. Sometimes I will say “I’m sorry, she bites”. She doesn’t bite, but sometimes I don’t want to deal with someone’s bratty kid.
There have been too many occasions where I have cringed while watching some brat man-handle my dog or reach down and pick her up… my 3 pound squirmy dog… over pavement… *sigh*. Sometimes I just want to have a nice peaceful walk with my little girl.
I will always stop for one of my neighbors kids, she is very gentle and sweet.
All kids are different.
I must admit that I am happy this woman knows her dog enough to tell you not come near with yours. The dog that lives across the street from us is not friendly so when Lula and I are on our walk, one of us will cross the street if of the same side. This doesn’t give me a general distrust for schnauzers, in fact Lula made friends with one yesterday at the dog spa.
Just as People, each dog is different.
I don’t worry about my neighbor’s dog getting loose. I worry more about mine getting lose… and getting lost.
I am not fearless, but I try to live life with open eyes, an open mind and an open heart.
Its OK to not trust a dog right away, just please don’t rule them out before you get to know them.