[ancora_imparo]

A few days ago, I walked Jaeger to the neighborhood IGA grocery store. I'm legally blind and cant drive, and our dog trainer recommended to take him there (in lieu of somewhere "better" like petsmart) because it has a steady stream of people and I could get there on foot.

It's a small, overpriced store, but its the only one within a few miles, so if you have transportation issues, this is the place to go. Jaeger and I were sitting on the curb quietly, and an old african american lady and her grandson walk by. She asks in a frail, high voice if I was giving away my dog. I thought she was kidding, but she wasnt.

Startled, I made a joke and told her no, not today, that I'd keep him. It shook me up a bit-not that she'd ask, even, but that people would just walk their dog down to the nearest store and hand over a living creature. From the way she acted (polite, matter of fact, non confrontational) it gave me the impression that this is a common occurance here.

Then, a few days later, I'm walking Jaeger, and there are two young kids (8-10)playing football. The boy comes over, and asks to pet my dog, so I let him. The girl comes over, doesn't really ask (though she sort of pauses) and we all start chatting. I know some of y'all dont let strangers handle your dogs (and I'm starting to see why!) but Jaeger's a bigger guy and loves people (plus, we're training him for therapy work and he needs all the manners lessons he can get!) so I usually let people approach with the stipulation that they let me dictate how things are going to go down.

Both kids seemed "nice" but it was easy to tell that the boy's parents were more hands on then the girl's, just by their behavior. The girl asked me things, in a non confrontational sort of way, as kids do in their innocence. You know "can I pick him up, can I walk him, can I have him," etc etc. I didnt think much of it and explained that he was working to be a therapy dog to help others, and that was an important job. She commented about how he was an "easy" dog, and I explained that he certainly wasn't and I had to train him all the time or he thinks he runs the place, plus we've had potty training issues. We started chatting about the boy's football game, and the next thing I know, the girl had turned to my blind side and grabbed Jaeger's leash, yanking it out of my hand and running away.

In a panic, I called to Jaeger (who could tell something was wrong.) He veered, and lunged, and threw her little body off balance, yanking the leash out of HER hand and ran right at me, where I scooped him up. I explained why she was being inappropriate in as calm voice as I could muster, and explained dog theft was illegal, even if she "wanted" him. I then walked immediately home.

In any other situation, I'd have marched her to her parent's house and possibly told the kid off. I know if Jaeger hadnt come to me I'd have had no issue chasing her down and tackling her (as gently as possible) to the ground. The thing is, I could tell by the way she acted before the incident that she probably didnt have the most attentive parents, and she truly didnt know any better. I hoped the way I handled it made her understand. I was afraid if I took her to her parents they either wouldnt have cared or would beat her (she didnt have any marks on her, but I just had this feeling....) and neither of those situations would have done any good in the long run.

Seriously, people. MY dog. MINE!