Yesterday morning, I was taking a pleasant walk with our dog, Winston. At least it was pleasant until I saw a woman with two dogs approaching us, on the side of the street we were on. I noticed that one that was unleashed! To play it safe, I crossed the street. Winston does not seem to realize he is a dog, and is somewhat shy around other dogs.
Well, just as I was crossing the street, the woman kneeled down to leash the second dog, and let the first dog go! That dog, leash trailing behind, made a beeline for us (in spite of her trying to call it back…disobedient dog!). It was all over Winston, and not in a friendly manner. I was pissed!
When the woman came up to us, both dogs were all over Winston, scaring the poor thing. I yelled at the woman, and usually I’m a very nice person (I think)! I told her “You should always keep your dogs on a leash. You should know better!” and managed to get Winston and myself away. I was so mad the rest of the way home 
. Do you think I was over-reacting or not?
Then, what do I see after I get home? A reminder from The Literate Housewife Review that next week she is hosting the Dog Days of Summer. How could I resist, especially after seeing the button below?
*button designed by http://anovelmenagerie.com
Jennifer (the Literate Housewife) is planning on reading and reviewing the following books, and invites us to join her in reading any (or all!) of the following:
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Secrets of Happiness by Sarah Dunn
The Dogs of Babelby Carolyn Parkhurst
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
I’ve read (and loved) “The Art of Racing in the Rain” (mentioned here, but not a full review). “Secrets of Happiness” and “The Dogs of Babel” both look good, but I’m going to make it easy on myself and re-read “Travels with Charley” by John Steinbeck, since I have a copy of this book already.
I read ”Travels with Charley” such a long time ago, when I was a little girl, so reading this now will probably be like a new experience– although I think I remember a couple episodes from the book. My dad had a copy and I picked it up and read it. Somehow it ended up in my own library and that’s why I have this copy. Here is what it looks like.
It’s a mass-market paperback. Don’t you wish that new books still cost “only 75 cents”?
I am sure that Charley is a much better dog than the two dogs that Winston and I had to deal with yesterday!
Hope you enjoy your dog days of summer; and maybe you’ll join me in reading one of these books, or even a different book about dogs. Let me know if you do!
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I definitely don’t think you overreacted. I would have done the same thing and I also consider myself a nice person. It is dog owners like her that gives dog owners like us a bad rap. We have it bad out on the trails…people let their dogs go and it ticks me off so much. Lucy also thinks she’s people and doesn’t know how to handle strange dogs well.
Nope, you did NOT overreact! We have the same problem with Riley, too. I never let her off-leash, and I always cross the street to avoid other dog-walkers. (Luckily, she’s oblivous to other dogs unless they’re actually in her face, but if they do get in her face she will start a fight.) It drives me crazy when people let their dogs roam. Plus, it’s against the law here.
Oops, forgot to say: I love the photo!
Sorry about poor Winston’s bad experience with that “dog.” No you did not overreact. We have the same problem with loose dogs on the beach. The beach is my favorite place for relaxation and I hate it when the dogs are running wild. I have been known to yell for the dog owners to “Call your dog,” as they are circling us and barking loudly. They usually say that he is a good dog and will not bother you. I respond, “Well, I don’t know that, do I.” Give Winston lots of love.