Obviously, a lot of people love dogs and are more than willing to do whatever it takes to enjoy their companionship. That is their view of the world, making it a paradise for canines. What quirk of the human brain causes that dementia, I don’t know. I like dogs well enough, but I’m not about to chain myself to that job, for me, it isn’t at all worth it.
My view is that dog ownership is a big responsibility, that it isn’t for everyone, and that far too many people own dogs who shouldn’t, thought they could, thought they should, but…shouldn’t.
I’m sad for them, glad for me, so I’ll just smile and keep to my side of the street.
It is a big responsibility, and it is work, but it’s not anywhere near as difficult as I expected it to be. I got my first dog (and first pet) ever two years ago at the age of 36, and I can’t believe how much joy he’s brought me. It took me months to finally drop the hammer and decide to get a dog, as I take the responsibility very seriously and realize what it entails, but it turned out to be not as bad as I thought (except for the first week or two house training him.) And taking him out two or three times a day for walks has been great additional exercise and ensures I spend time outdoors. And I know one day it will bring great sadness, but I figure, better to love and lose than never to love. I didn’t really understand it until I first got a pet, but now, I can’t see living without a pet.
I know how you feel, Pulykamell. My best friend and “cat from hell” Beru died last summer after being by my side for 17 years. Only woman in my life that never let me down. I got her when she was 6 weeks old. First pet I ever had on my own. She died at 17, in my lap, in her house. Devastated me. I sobbed like a baby, and dug her grave and buried her myself in a box with one of my old Tshirts, with her favorite toy in there with her…
God, I’m fucking tearing up now just remembering it. That cat got me through more rough times than all the Xanax in the world.
Since everyone else seems to be forgoing the opportunity (politely offered by the OP) to call him a dumb-ass, I will do so. Over the course of 18 months, at widely spaced intervals, this woman has asked him a total of three times whether he picks up after his dog. Apparently in a reasonably straightforward and calm manner, although the OP discerns from her body language and tone that she does not credit his assurances.* On the third occasion, the OP engages in a hysterical overreaction and screams profanity at her; she overreacts in turn.
I can understand that it is annoying to be questioned in that fashion. But only mildly so, and your reaction suggests that you have some anger/self-control problems. OP, you are a dumb-ass and should be ashamed of yourself, both for foolishly escalating and also for engaging in offensive behavior that was not justified by the woman’s previous actions.
*______________________
As a backdrop to this situation, it seems reasonable to posit that there has been at least some dogshit issue in the neighborhood, possibly in this woman’s own yard. It’s also possible that she has seen the OP allowing his dog to go in the yards of the neighbors with whom he has a “reciprocal agreement” and therefore has some basis for suspicion, not knowing of the agreement.
Your dog was 36 years old when you got him? In human years or dog years?
I kid, I kid. I have had many dogs. They do require work and dedication, but the rewards more than outweigh all the work. And once you have a well-trained dog, the work is minimal. My dog is cleaner and has better manners than some roomates I’ve had.
Nah, I think he was justified, even though I personally would not aim to escalate the situation. In my neighborhood, his reaction would have been judged as restrained, if anything. Sometimes you just have to tell badgering assholes to fuck off.
Uh, no. Just no. She does not have some kind of implicit right to confront someone on the basis that she ‘thinks’ that their dog might have shit on her lawn - or apparently on the lawn of someone else who she is going to champion. I don’t ‘get’ how this confrontation is justified in any way. I don’t care how many fucking dogs, on leash or at large may or may not have shit on her personal lawn! That is not the problem of any and all dog walkers who happen to catch her eye!
Unless she actually observes said dog in the act of crapping, along with observing the negligence of said dog’s walker, in the act of ignoring said dog’s crap and just moving on - well then, no!! She’s got nothing! If she had actually witnessed some egregious behavior here and then confronted the OP - well that would be a whole different thread here, wouldn’t it? But just to see a dog and think 'he might shit on my lawn! he may have shit on my lawn in the past! he’s a dog, he shits! therefore, I have every right to be aggressively confrontational and piss off my neighbor! ‘Cuz I’m pissed off that he even has a dog!’
crucible, in two posts in this thread you have eloquently expressed the exact thoughts I have had on many occasion. (I am polite to dog owners and their dogs, but in the same way I’m polite to woo-ists, fundies, and CT’ers. My patience comes close to wearing thin, though, whenever a pet owner complains about something related to owning a pet. Just shoot the damned thing!* And, I did get annoyed (again, I was polite to their face) when our child’s main babysitter, a 16-year-old, had to discontinue services for over a month because she was distraught that her pet rabbit had died.
Our original [noparse]:rolleyes:[/noparse] was much better still. Our new one doesn’t work at all, at all, in the way we’ve been accustomed here to using it. [noparse]:rolleyes:[/noparse]
Forgive me for not being from the US, but can someone explain to me how it would even be possible for you to be walking your dog through her yard* so that the ‘disputed messing’ could take place? Unless she is implying the dog is getting into her yard at other times when you’re *not *walking it, which would be a completely unrelated issue as to whether or not you picked up after it when out on actual walks.
Maybe it’s a definition thing, but a yard (to me) is the *rear *garden of a house, and would be entirely fenced/gated off in the UK for security and privacy, so certainly not an accessible space for pedestrians.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the woman in the OP has cats that shit in everyone else’s vegetable, herb and flower beds, and would go ballistic if someone complained about it.
