Tag: dog

Disgruntled

Feeling the hostility: could it be all that solar energy?

Just trying to mind my own business but difficult to do when so many people are acting out their anger. My little town known for being so polite at the four way stop sign is showing signs of being frayed around the edges.

I was so excited to go to the dog park with the dog I am pet sitting. I have been watching dogs and their owners have fun in that dog park for a number of years while doing my show from the station at MVC. When I got the chance to take the dog I was sitting to the park I was so pleased. As it turns out everyone at the park knew Woody and he was welcomed back with open arms. The next dog I took care of the exact opposite happened. Winston has not been trained as well as he could be and has some behavioral issues. I had hoped being around other dogs would help some of these issues. He did good with the other dogs for the most part but the owners did not like Winston. He is ball obsessed and would often go after the ball and then refuse to drop it and would often go and attempt to take the ball swing out of their hand. I was working on distracting him by playing just with me but not before one owner started screaming at me about my dog. I will tell you that being screamed out in front of a bunch of strangers and their lovely dogs is not a nice feeling. When I asked her why she was being so hostile she replied “because I’m frustrated.” Aren’t we all lady. There is a small enclosed area which hardly gets used so I took Winston there while I worked with him not to be so aggressive while playing ball. I try to go at times there are not many people around but occasionally for what ever reason another dog owner wants to come in the small area I warn them about Winston and his challenges. Today a man who I have seen there before who has dealt with Winston and been frustrated with his behavior decided he wanted to join us with his dog. He was holding the ball thrower that Winston goes crazy over and I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea. He then blew up at me, screaming who did I think I was that I could have a whole pen to myself etc, etc, etc. This place that had charmed me with the good vibes of dogs and humans connecting and playing together was soiled with his anger and meanness. 

People are so disgruntled these days and acting out in ugly ways. It’s exhausting to be around.

Sunday Dog

Driving into town this morning, a medium size retriever mutt dog comes barreling down a side street right in front of me and proceeds to run down the middle of the road. I had slowed down but the person behind me just beeped their horn. I pull over to the side and opened the back door, calling to the dog. Big old puppy dog with muddy paws jumps in the back seat wagging her tail like she has been waiting for me. Lucky for both of us the animal shelter would be open in a half hour. I get an espresso to go and the dogs (Sweetie was with me) get a biscuit. No tags, no chip on the runaway. It’s a good day for me as the dog is safe and Sweetie is happy that she is still “an only child”. We seem to find a dog or two about once a year since I’ve been in Port Townsend.