Geez. I've been wary of dogs on leashes, but not when they aren't tugging and growling/barking, and that doesn't sound like you and Bartleby.

Aims and Em can sew Barb's costumes!

Bonny, I totally, totally get the frustration. She was overreacting like whoa, and it's really hard not to feel like you're being made the bad guy for doing nothing more than walking down the street. Having had rott-looking dogs most of my adult life I've certainly been there.

And since I know you, I know where this all is coming from, and what your intent was. But for someone who doesn't know you

I crossed and asked which catering company she works for...in I SWEAR...a non-confrontational tone.

I'm not sure how that could possibly come off as non-confrontational. In 99 out of a hundred situtations, people ask for company names or who they work for in order to file a complaint about them.

On the other hand I want to suggest that anyone who is so freaked out should probably not be stationed on an urban street.

And you're probably right about this. But not everyone wants their phobias diagnosed and treated on the sidewalk, you know?

It made me laugh actually. I hope you can see the humor and don't feel like I'm coming down on you. But you and Mr. B, so non-threatening and sincere, and she on the other hand shrieking, and no, that was just never going to end well.

Pix, if you could teleport up here, I wouldn't waste that time with you showing me how to exercise. There is serious catching up and flopping to do!

So very true.

And eating!

No, Brenda, you are totally and completely right on both counts.

There is no way she didn't know I wanted to call the company. I was being inauthentic, trying to pretend to be interested. So, busted on that one for sure.

I gave it some thought just now, did a little coloring (which is so meditative for me these days) and got clear on what was really pissing me off.

If this woman had actually been terrified, my heart would have gone out to her immediately but that wasn't what was going on.

She was making a scene because she could.

I see it a lot around here in a number of different scenarios and it bugs me every time. I suppose I shouldn't care if people entertain themselves this way but it just irks me.

Plus, there is a little bit of, 'you don't even know this dog'. But, who cares whether they do or not. He's awesome. Full stop.

Aims and Em can sew Barb's costumes!

Oooh... that would necessitate a VISIT!

Competition ballroom gowns really are the shit, y'all. They kill me. How about this one?

[link]

If this woman had actually been terrified, my heart would have gone out to her immediately but that wasn't what was going on.

She was making a scene because she could.

How do you know that?

Oh my. I used to watch the Ballroom competitions on PBS, with Juliet Prowse and absolutely plotz over the gowns.

I'm not even particularly girly, but those dressed make me faint with glee.

How do you know that?

A) I'm a professional when it comes to human emotion. She did not move away, nor exhibit any physical markers for fear.

B) Her general attitude was one of indignation. Also, when a fairly large gentleman put himself between her and the dog (who was still at least 15 feet away from her as we passed) she stepped around him...toward us...in order to keep yelling.

If you had been fearful, would you have not have moved away?

It's irksome, for sure.

Lucy and I were out walking once and passed a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses and this guy, no lie, leapt up onto a three foot high wall and clung there until we were past. But in his defense he wasn't making it about anything other than his issue.

Even with Darby now, if I have workmen or anyone in the apartment the first thing I say to them as they come up the stairs is "there's a dog in here." Because I don't need to freak someone out if it can be avoided. Only once has the person actually had an issue. But at the same time, I'm also not going to pretend that I'm the one causing the problem.

Only once has the person actually had an issue. But at the same time, I'm also not going to pretend that I'm the one causing the problem.

Because I know people have serious issues, I work really hard to avoid adding to their stress. Why would I want to do that? In fact, I do at LEAST one sidewalk clinic a day to help a child learn how to deal with strange dogs.

Next Friday, I'm doing an in-service for a local walking service to help the employees deal with handling their client dogs when greeting strangers on the street.

It's not like I don't do my part. But, sheesh, sometimes is weary making.