"Speak when you are angry--and you will make the best speech you'll ever regret." ~ Laurence J. Peter
Just yesterday, I created a post about my dog, Beast, in which I said he is not an intimidating dog at all.
Coincidentally, yesterday afternoon, I was walking him, and as usual, we walked past the open door of the local volunteer fire department. And as usual, Beast made a beeline for the closest firefighters to get his usual back scratches.
But this time it was different. This particular firefighter, whom I didn't recognize, pulled back as if in fear. And then he said, "I told you before, keep that dog away from me."
Now, I don't remember anyone ever telling me to keep my dog away from anyone, but at that point, it didn't matter to me. I was personally insulted. In retrospect, I really don't know why I was insulted, but nevertheless, I was.
So, instead of keeping Beast away from him as he requested, I drew myself up to my full 5'8" height, and asked him, "Oh, really. Why is that? Are you afraid of him? Afraid of a cute little friendly little doggie? Did some big bad dog frighten you when you were a baby?"
He responded by turning his face away from me and waving me off.
I thought it, then I said it: "You are a (colloquial term for a female reproductive organ)"
Lord, forgive me, and be with all those starving pygmies in New Guinea.
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19 comments:
That reall *was* an assy thing to say. I am suspicious of ALL dogs I've never met for the very reason you mention: I've been bitten more than enough, as a child and as an adult.
Boy, you are quite the gentleman, aren't you Mark?
When you thought and said, "You are a (colloquial term for a female reproductive organ)" - were you speaking to and of yourself or to the other fella?
For the other fella may well have had a phobia or other reason to be uncomfortable. You, on the other hand, seemed to have no reason to take offense.
Dan, ER, and Trixie.
What part of--"it didn't matter to me. I was personally insulted. In retrospect, I really don't know why I was insulted, but nevertheless, I was."---- and--- "Lord, forgive me, and be with all those starving pygmies in New Guinea."-- did you not understand?
Let him, or her, who is without sin throw the first stone. Geeeez!
You owe the guy an apology.
Yeah, I probably do, and if I see him again, and if I recognize him, I will do just that.
Good for you, Mark. I'll give credit where it's due, when you've made amends with him.
Good grief, it's a PUG!!! if you are *that* afraid of it, drop kick it back to its owner!!!
Mark - you do not need to apologize to him. Nor any of the commenters. I'm just glad we are OFF the damn terrorist/terrorism/terror thing!
Oh and I LOVED the Larry the Cable Guy reference.
*snort*!
With dogs, as with women, I always let them make all the moves, because you never know what's going on in their head. The only dog that's ever bitten me was one of those yappy little chichuahuas. My future dog will not bite except to protect me. It will strictly obey Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotry.
I'm with Scottsdale. It's your dog, and you know your dog is friendly and harmless. You felt protective, and were insulted and it's perfectly natural when insulted to get your ire up.
You want to make ammends Mark? Then ask God to forgive you your temper and pray that this big, bad firefighter who can probably walk into burning buildings but can't be approached by a cute little animal like Beast, will get over his phobia.
Blessings!
I totally understand being offended and you apologized for your part. Leave it to liberals to throw stones at you that you don't deserve!!
Let me see, I've been bitten by fish, turtles, lizards, snakes, raccoons, horses, cats and dogs and I'm not afraid of any of them. In about a quarter century of working in stranger's homes, I have met pooches galore and you learn to read them. The vast majority think I am there to visit them and I do, the customer loves it when you love on their pet. Pugs are definately one of the most friendly small or toy breeds. My absolute favorite are huskies and malemutes, followed closely by aussie shepherds and sheepdogs and gun dogs like labs and goldens.I will probably end up with labs as they fit my lifestyle best. I need a duck fetcher.
Sheila, I can answer your question, "Did you ever say that this was Beast's tradition on his walk and he was looking for his friends?" with one word. Yes. In the previous post I explained that the firemen had more or less adopted Beast as theut firehouse dog. He loves those guys! However, you are absolutely right. Temper was uncalled for.
Oh, and Beast is a proud Conservative Republican!
Sorry, Mark, but that firefighter was the bigger man in this instance, and I don't mean in stature.
We have 11 dogs, almost all are rescues: A wolf hybrid, a Malamute, 8 Siberians, and a Jack Russell.
Siberian Huskies, who are among the friendliest breeds on the planet, are sometimes lumped in with pit bulls and Rotts and wolfdogs as dangerous animals in many municipal ordinances and insurance contracts.
This is due to in part to ignorance, on the part of people not familiar with the dog fancy.
By giving an innocent citizen a bad experience with a dog and his owner, you are in danger of perpetrating a false image to the public.
Better you had befriended the fellow, than antagonize him needlessly.
When you take a dog out in public, it's not just about YOU. You represent all dog lovers, whether you want to or not, and your actions reflect on all of us, good or bad. Just another angle to think about...
That cute dog scared a fireman?
And this guy is supposed to run into burning buildings and rescue people?
Sorry I haven't been around much either Mark. I've had my hands full at Mike's America with moonbats.
I see you have a good size crop of that pest too.
Happy Easter to you Mark.
And Happy Al-Hijra to your moonbats!
It is beyond amazing that there are those who want to make this a political issue. How about common courtesy? Is that so uncommon in your conservative world? (That seems so antithetical to all you supposedly believe in!)
The firehouse is this guy's quarters while he is on duty. Not everyone loves every animal. It happens. He asked Mark to keep the dog away from him, for whatever reason. Why does this have to be characterized as "fear"? Maybe he doesn't like dog snot and slobber. Whatever. It is his right to ask you not to allow the dog into HIS AREA.
It's cool if the other guys like the dog. Let them pet Beast all they want. This guy doesn't feel the same way. Just apologize to him, let him know that Beast is used to loving on the firemen and you'll do your best not to bother him. It's not like HE has someplace else to go. Mark does.
I really don't understand how you people can make such horrible remarks about a firefighter. And that doesn't even touch on the other issue of referring to a woman's body in such a manner. Gentlemen don't do that, either.
My dog WILL bite, if he perceives even the slightest threat. As a result, I warn everyone that comes near him not to get close to his face, he might bite.
My dog is also adorable. He looks cuddly and loving, which he is to his family and those he has been given time to get to know.
These two facts about my dog cause constant problems. I say to a stranger "He might bite, don't get close to his face" They respond with, "no, no he's so cute, he won't bite me". I say, he might, he has done it before. They refuse to listen, put their hands in his face and about 30% of the time, they get a nip with a snarl that scares them.
Unless you were chasing the man who was scared of the dog, I don't see the problem. I mean, maybe you shouldn't have been teasing him, but I don't even know any men that don't tease each other incessantly. If the dog did bite and you told everyone around you, my experience is they wouldn't listen anyway. I don't think you should give this incident another thought.
WOW! After reading all this my little Pot Bellied Piggy is looking better all the time!
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