Prejudice?

[PJ's Mom]

Most of you have seen pics of my Bailey. She's a very sweet girl who would never even think of hurting someone.

When Peej is away for whatever reason, she gets depressed. Today he is getting groomed so I decided to make her feel better by taking her to the park. She loves to be let off her leash so she can run at full speed. On our way there, we saw a little girl who was about 3 and her mom. Bailey, being Bailey walked up to her wagging wanting attention. The mom pulled the little girl away quickly and said, "no".

Then, on our way out of the park there was an older man pushing a baby carriage with what I could only assume was his grandchild in it. (around 2 years old, I guess) He got completely off the path and waited until Bailey and I passed until he would enter the park. There was more than enough room on the path for all of us.

Bailey weighs about 48 lbs and wags everywhere she goes. She loves people and that's pretty obvious to just about everyone. Why are people like that?

I can only imagine how those of you with Pitties and Rotties and other large breeds feel when people do that to your dogs.

Sorry for the long story. It just made me feel bad.

[Jadapit]

Oh do I know how you feel! I have gotten that reaction with Jada so many times and it makes me feel bad also. Jada loves people so much and like your Bailey, she would never hurt anyone.

People can be so strange about dogs sometimes. Sorry that happened to you today.

[Kevin Farmer]

Oh yea,
There are lots of people who think Maximus is just gonna rip off a leg and eat it rite in front of them, but in reality Maximus would only hurt someone if they were a threat to Barbra, me or our son
other wise he is just a baby.............

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I always used to get that with Echo unless I was wlaking her in my Culdesac around everyone who knew her. I couldn't imagine being afraid of Bailey! She looks like such a sweet dog

[RobiLee]

Oh, I'm so sorry this happened to you and made you feel bad. I really understand those feelings. It happens to me once in awhile also. It does hurt my feelings but at the same time I try to understand that I have two large dogs that can look intimidating. Even though I do understand that it still hurts when I see them cross the street. What I really hate is when they look at me and frown and shake their head like I'm crazy for having such dogs. Now in your case...I just don't get it! You have two of the sweetest face puppies ever! Thats when I have to dig deeper and remember that not everyone is a doggie lover like me. I have loved dogs ever since I can remember. Not everyone has that feeling (which is beyond me ). Some just never had that natural love of animals, some were just not raised that way and some have even had bad experiences with dogs. These are things I have to remind myself because otherwish I would just think everyone who didn't like my girls were completely insane!!!!

Ok,those are my thoughts...lol. I do hope you feel better though. Don't let those other people bother you.

Give those pups a big ol' hug from me!!

Robin

[luvofallhorses]

that's rude (((hugs))) don't beat yourself up over it.

[elizabethann]

That's a shame that happened to you. Unfortunately, some people just don't like dogs (or any animals for that matter). I have an Aunt whom I love very much, but she just isn't an "animal person". I've had to learn to live with it...though it's hard at times. Don't worry about it. For every one person who doesn't like dogs, there are a thousand (perhaps hundreds of thousands) that do!

P.S. You're dogs are too cute!

[PJ's Mom]

Thanks everyone. I realize I'm being silly expecting everybody to love my dogs the way I do.

But who wouldn't love this face?



Maybe I need to hang a sign around her neck telling everyone that she won't eat them.

[vinjashira]

some people are not comfortable being near a dog, no matter how friendly they look. my niece is one of them

[luvofallhorses]

AWW I can't resist that face I forgot to add I took Jenny over to the elementary school when it was like 6 o'clock pm and a kid on a bike goes "Why is there a dog here?!?!" I was like because she can be. I think he had something against dogs Jenny is a yellow lab/rottweiler mix and wouldn't hurt a fly!! Same way with Rocky he is a black lab mix and wouldn't hurt a fly unless he has to same with Jenny I am so sorry again. That was sooo freaking rude. I happen to ♥ both of your pups

to vinjashira, I watched on house something or other on tv and this little girl was afraid of puppies or any kind of dog, she didn't care what breed they were she would panic and go back in her house. It was sad but the crew had a special trainer and a psycholigist with puppies and very slowly let them pet them and then she got up to 3 on her lap and started laughing. The most thing she was afraid of was her uncle's dog, Sweet Pea. She said that everytime she sees her she panics and she hasn't seen her uncle in 3 years. The fear she had to overcome was not being afraid of the golden retriever, Sweet Pea. She did overcome her fear in one day the cast said she isn't getting a dog anytime soon, but she can now go play with Sweet Pea and visit him with her family. Interesting IMO.

PJ's Mom I didn't mean to hijack your thread

[tricollie4me]

I'm so sorry this made you feel upset, particularly because you know your dogs so well and know they are so friendly!

However, I'm a mom to five kids and there have been times when I have had to make a decision to keep my kids seperate from dogs if we should meet up on a sidewalk, etc. Not only would it be impossible for me to instinctively know if other dogs are going to behave gently towards my kids, I can't be certain how my children will react towards these unknown dogs. Some of my kids, especially the younger ones, are fearful of larger dogs, and it's unnecessary to "force" a bit of friendship on either my children or the dog/owner. Some of my kids are overly excited when they see new dogs, and their behavior might be unsafe -- they might try to pet the dog but end up poking them, or they might get very jumpy which can get a happy puppy even more excited (and jump back!). Sometimes it's best to let things be, not every exchange is going to be a good one and that's simply the way things go.

Just wave and say hello as you pass, or smile at the child and tell them your dog's name as you go by. You love your dogs, those folks love their kids. Everyone wants to be happy and safe, and as adults (parents and dog owners alike), we choose the best way for that to happen.

(As an aside, one of the reasons we opted to adopt our pup was to get our children more comfortable around animals in general and within our home in particular. Before we adopted our collie, our kids weren't very sure how to behave around dogs. We wanted to teach them how to act appropriately and respectfully with our own dog along with other animals they might encounter at their friend's houses, in the neighborhood, etc.)

[PJ's Mom]

Originally posted by luvofallhorses
PJ's Mom I didn't mean to hijack your thread

It's ok. I won't tell anyone it was you.

Hi tricollie. Welcome aboard.

I have 4 kids of my own..they're teenagers now. They've always been around dogs, either our own or someone elses. I taught them never to rush a dog and to always ask permission before petting one. I don't recall a time where I ever had to drag them away from a dog I considered mean. I guess sometimes I forget that not all kids were brought up the same way. Thanks for reminding me.

[GraciesMommy]

Lots of folks do not like dogs...or are afraid of them. One of my bosses doesn't like any animal, period..around her..and her grown daughter has 2 springer spaniels..in the house...and she hates when they bring them to visit (they live out of town) but she allows it because she does respect others love for animals..SHE just doesn't care for them.
I wouldn't take it personally..they would have probably had the same reaction had it been a 5 pound toy pup...just being extra cautious, I guess

[Ginger's Mom]

Yes, but she does have such a sweet face And I think if it happened with one person while I was out taking a walk, I really wouldn't think anything of it. But to have several people obviously steer clear of my dog when I was on a walk in the park, I think it might have hurt my feelings (especially if I were walking my previous dog-who loved people).

As it is right now, I don't have to worry about it because when we go to the park and Ginger sees children heading her way she makes a wide berth. She just wants to go to the doggie section to play with the other dogs.

[german_shepherd_luver]

SOOOOO cute !!!! i know how you feel i have a german shepherd that weighs near 100 but he is so friendly no one ever gives him a chance