When people comment on your dog...

meames_2

Womble is old and slow on his walks now. People often stop an "aww" at him. A few people jokingly say "you look like I feel old fella" or "he's an old one isn't he?".

Today walking him on our usual route I passed a group of kids aged 10+. One asked if they could pet him, i agreed cos he loves fuss. One of the young kids pipes up "looks like he is dying to me". I was taken aback and said "thats horrible". Her and her friend sniggered.

I was about to walk off but was quite cross, the girls mum was further down the street. I went to tell her mum, because i thought it was thoughtless and really the girl needs to learn some things aren't appropriate. However, quite embarrassingly I burst into tears and really struggled to get the words out. The poor woman was looking at me as if I was mad!

She called the girl over who said she said the dog needed a drink of water, which really was a lie. But she did get sent in probably because her other didn't know what else to day with a sobbing woman on her drive!

Have you ever reacted to comments people make on your dog? I'm feeling a bit embarrassed now and may have to take a new route until the nights have drawn in.

PasturesNew

I was listening to the radio one morning this week and the presenters were out and about and stopped a man by saying "Good morning - I see you're walking your dog .... what's his name?" the man replied and there was a brief discussion about dog walking routes and how lovely it was there. The presenter then finished the impromptu interview and the man piped up: "My name's..... nobody ever asks my name.... they only ever ask about my dog's name... but I've got a name too..."

meames_2

Thats true, you see people in town and smile, say hello not really knowing who they are and then try to remember which dog is theirs.

whitewing

Good for you for politely reminding the children that remarks can be hurtful and to think before they speak.

I am sure the mother will handle it appropriately with her daughter, and will understand why you were tearful too.

Don't be embarrassed, put on a smile when you meet them next. Most people are lovely, and will be more sorry about their own thoughtlessness.

zaksmum

All the comments I get on my dogs are favourable, thank God, though Lucy has a way of looking as if she gets beaten up everyday of her life - I reckon she thinks she'll get more dog treats that way!

Don't suppose the kids meant any harm, meames, but it does hurt.

Once when my old dog got attacked by a Japanese Akita in the local market, I was a sobbing wreck. He had two puncture bites in his neck which would've been far worse had the owner not dragged the Akita off him, but I was distraught.

Quite embarrassing really.

I'm sure the people concerned will just forget about it.

elsien

"Who's taking who for a walk?"
Most days on a regular basis.
Which used to mightily p1ss me off because mutt was generally walking to heel or ambling gently along. Probably prompted by a combination of very small owner and largish ugly dog.
The worst one was the woman who started screaming at the top of her voice from about 30 feet away "take it away, I'm scared of dogs." Again, mutt on lead, completely oblivious to screaming madwoman, but passersby looking at mutt as if she'd tried to kill her.

Or on a more positive note, "can I have your dog's phone number?"

lisawood78

I always get 'Oh its massive, Oh it's a horse/donkey/put a saddle on it. Who is taking who for a walk, bet it eats loads, where does it/they sleep, bet you have a massive house.

And with the harli, oh look at that dalmatian.

To the point now if walking them with someone else we always have a book (jokingly) runnig on which comment will come out first. You could put a saddle on it/bet it eats loads are always top of the list.

Perils of dog ownership.
I hope the young girl got a few words about what she said to you op, and also for lying.
I hope you feel a bit better now

Eliza_2

I was walking along a disused railway with my dog on an extending lead, which was stretched the width of the path, there was no-one else on it. Suddenly I was aware of a sound behind me and saw a 'serious cycler' type just getting off his bike. I quickly pulled Moll over to me and apologised for her being in his way, he said ' Not at all, she has just as much right as me to be on this path', smiled, got back on his bike and rode on with a wave.

I nearly proposed to him on the spot!!! Very different attitude to most cyclists on this path.

I used to have a dog who immediately put on her 'Big Issue' look as we used to call it, when fussed by people out and about. I'm sure people thought she was starving, I should have carried a cap with me, would have made a fortune.

rising_from_the_ashes

meames wrote: »

Womble is old and slow on his walks now. People often stop an "aww" at him. A few people jokingly say "you look like I feel old fella" or "he's an old one isn't he?".

I used to get that a lot with Ben .... (have no idea how old he really was but he was pretty ancient) - really for around the last 3 years I had him:D.

It was always nice tho' and I'd probably have reacted exactly the same way you did (((hugs))) - hope the little madam gets a telling off from her mum :mad:

With Maisie, it's usually comments like "her coat's so shiny what do you feed her", "how old is she" (usually after she's run around like a loon after something) no-one believes that she's nearly 6! She's def having her puppyhood now!:)

Wellyboots6

I usually get 'aww isn't she friendly'. Tyson needs to man up a bit I think!

I also get asked how old he is on a regular basis and people think I am telling porkies when I say he is 7.

People also tend to tell their own dogs 'ooh he is too big to play with you' little knowing that if their dog tried to play with him he would likely run away with his tail between his legs!

mammyof7

lisawood78 wrote: »

I always get 'Oh its massive, Oh it's a horse/donkey/put a saddle on it. Who is taking who for a walk, bet it eats loads, where does it/they sleep, bet you have a massive house.

And with the harli, oh look at that dalmatian.

To the point now if walking them with someone else we always have a book (jokingly) runnig on which comment will come out first. You could put a saddle on it/bet it eats loads are always top of the list.

Perils of dog ownership.
I hope the young girl got a few words about what she said to you op, and also for lying.
I hope you feel a bit better now

lol I,ve also heard every single one numerous times. Blue's a blue merle and i,ve also been asked if she is a dalmation! What makes it worse is that she isn,t even black and white!