It's really too bad that didn't become an educational experience for the woman. She needs to learn that is a BIG, BIG, no-no. Although, like you, I probably would have been too shocked to say anything. Who does that kind of thing?

I shudder to think what Liz would have done. She does NOT like strangers and has bitten someone before, although it was at home. She has also snapped at people who have approached her when we are out. I try to be very careful with her and she just loves going places with me.

Ugh! Huge pet peeve of mine too (no pun intended). I will often carry Vinnie in my arms and he is one aggressive little guy. If he's in my arms and someone tries to pet him, he lunges with all his might. But this has also led to some really funny experiences....

We were down at Eastern Market (in DC) doing some shopping. I was holding Vinnie in my arms because it was crowded and generally trying to be concious of who was around me (so that I could give the "No, don't pet him. He bites!" speech before someone attempted to reach out to him). Anyway, a boy (about 9 or 10 years old) comes up from behind and, before I could even see him, reaches out to pet Vinnie. Vinnie responded in the only way he knew how - he bit the kid! Now, the kid's mother was about 10 feet ahead. The kid started to run up to his mom, and he looked like he was going to break out in tears, but you could tell he was thinking that he was really too old to cry. It was hilarious. His lip was trembling and he was holding his finger looking back at me and Vinnie, but he didn't want to tell his mom what he just did. I heard his mom ask what was wrong and he said, "Nothing." It was hilarious. I will never forget the look on that kid's face and I am sure he will never do that again!

I can't believe she did that!! What was her reasoning? What a crazy lady!

I would think she was trying to steal my dog.
I do have people ask to hold Dink all the time, and I say no.

Wow. I never even let a stranger hold my dog. Levi loves everyone, but he doesn't like to be held by strangers. He squirms a lot, so I just don't allow it. It's common courtesy to ask before you pet someone's dog. I can't believe a grown woman grabbed Chloe! I could maybe see a kid trying it, but an adult?? That is ridiculous.

Like some of the other posters, I would have thought she was trying to steal my dog and in tightening my hold, I'm afraid my dog might have gotten hurt, then she would really have me to deal with. By the time I finished, I doubt she would ever try it again. :eek:

i would have flipped a lid on her! i don't even allow my nieces and nephews to pick up my dogs since they are small and can be dropped and badly hurt by people. they do wriggle out of my arms so i can only imagine someone else holding them.

HOW DARE that woman do that to you and the poor dog? is she nutts? i would have screamed at her like she was intending to steal them for sure.

Wow! I can't believe that! I would have reacted probably in a not so polite way.

I'd probably say no, even if they did ask to hold mine (a stranger in public). They are so fragile after all.

Vinnie responded in the only way he knew how - he bit the kid! Now, the kid's mother was about 10 feet ahead. The kid started to run up to his mom, and he looked like he was going to break out in tears, but you could tell he was thinking that he was really too old to cry. It was hilarious. His lip was trembling and he was holding his finger looking back at me and Vinnie, but he didn't want to tell his mom what he just did. I heard his mom ask what was wrong and he said, "Nothing." It was hilarious. I will never forget the look on that kid's face and I am sure he will never do that again!
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Andrea,

I can't believe you think that was funny!

That is why I stopped taking mine to the pet stores. Not only did Barney contract kennel cough once while shopping in petco, but I dont like people touching my dogs when they have their own dogs in tow.

That's TERRIBLE! I, like you, am not the type that doesn't allow anyone to pet or touch Jackson, etc. But I really appreciate when people ASK and surprisingly, most do. So I haven't had too many issues with this. Jackson is very shy with strangers and it will definitely set him back if someone just ran up and picked him up (luckily, he's a bit bigger, so I guess he doesn't look as 'inviting' to pick up, LOL). Wow, just wow. I would have flipped out.

I was so appreciative yesterday when I was in the pet store (our local one) and a little girl, about 3yrs old, said "ohh doggy!!" to her mommy, and the mom politely asked me if she could pet him. I said 'Sure!' and told Jackson to go say hi... which he did and started wagging his tail, and the mother was so thankful and told me 'Thanks SO much for allowing her to pet him - she loves dogs!' I love when people are like that. Because it's great socialization for Jackson and ALSO for the child to learn how to behave around a dog.

OH MY! I know EXACTLY how you feel! I had an old lady (pushing a walker!) just grab Teddy out of my arms the other day! Teddy squirms when I carry him sometimes and when she did it I was afraid that she would drop him! Or even snap at her, which he does to me sometimes as well!

I vote for Stupid! I can't believe that someone would grab a dog. I usually keep my fingers through Deuce's harness to stop him from squirming out and keep grabbers at bay. I am also a great screamer and good kicker. But certainly a lady;)

Someone takes MY Chloe like that, after she snaps at them, i will cut their hands off!!! and giving a BIG piece of my mind!! people dont understand, our furbabies are just as children to us.... how would they feel if a total stranger take their babies like that???!!

Some people just have the nerve! I can't believe someone would just take your baby right out of your arms. Sakura loves going to Petsmart because she loves attention. But all the people ask me before they pet her. I even had to younger teens ask to pet her and if she was mean to kids because that's what they had heard about yorkies. I'm an extremely shy person but if someone decided to take my girl out of my hands their face would meet my shoe.