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Sick of people w/dogs walking them up to and on elementary school property
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Anonymous
I'm 17:18. Not second-class citizens. Nor are dog owners (or dog people, since I don't love the "owners" idea; I have two dogs.) Just suggesting that your perspective will change when your child is born. Mine did. But I was really sort of joking and I didn't intend to offend. |
Anonymous
I am categorically not an inconsiderate dog owner. Either you are misreading me or you are still deliberately misunderstanding me. I will gladly, happily, always walk around small children (or anyone! really!) whenever possible, whenever I am on a walk, with or without a dog! Always! The limited situation I am describing is when it is IMPOSSIBLE to do so -- when the normal arc around will not suffice and my only options are to walk in the street or walk (politely, as gingerly as possible, with a neighborly smile and "excuse me," through the group blocking the sidewalk. I promise, my rogue poodle and I are not charging through yards or mowing over your toddlers. And I don't even mind the careful negotiation through a group when it is impossible to walk around -- ALL I mind are the stares or glares I occasionally get when I do so, because I truly do not understand the alternative. And to the person who so helpfully categorized me as childfree person trolling DCUM? For the second time in this thread -- I'm PREGNANT. Look. I bristled at the tone and generalized nature of OP's post. I am not a person who lets my dog run wild; I don't bring a dog on school grounds; I am not a DCUM trolling to advocate the rights of canines; I don't expect you or your kids to let me plow you down on the sidewalk; I don't let my dog lick or jump on anyone. I was just sticking up for the many responsible dog owners/people out there, of which I am one, and in doing so, happened to mention why I was defensive. If I was too defensive about the original post -- and maybe I was -- then all these posters piling on me are the same. This whole forum is kind of mean, actually. I'm sorry I participated. |
Anonymous
I don't blame you one bit! I am pissed at the way some posters responded to you. So anxious to sting! I COMPLETELY understand and agree with you. If I am hogging the sidewalk while chatting with a friend, I will step aside when I see anyone or anything approach. People: read her post. She isn't barreling into sidewalk chatters, she is trying to squeeze by them. Wouldn't it be so simple and sweet to just let her and her dog pass? And, event though this poster clearly stated she is pregnant, what right does anyone have to tell her to get off the board if she wasn't? i actually would think it is kind of cool to have a non-parent perpsective on some topics discussed on DCUM. We weren't always parents and since we need to share this world with non-parents, then it would do us all good to give each other respect. People get too defensive over the smallest issues. We are on this earth for a short time, let's make the best of it. BE HAPPY! |
Anonymous
sorry--but I don't remotely think the OP wwas referring to all dog owners --the title of the post completely contradicts your premise.. And frankly the nasty tone got started when she referred to "clueless toddler parents". Since she has not yet had a child she is actually the one who is clueless on this issue. Many of us here have been on both sides of this experience and see that her view lacks perspective. And I'm quite happy, thank you. But no, she she should'nt try try to walk through a group of little kids. We're not talking about an underground tunnel here where there is no way to get around the group. Stop exaggerating the facts to justify your actions, |
Anonymous
Thank God I can't afford to live in Georgetown. |
Anonymous
OMG, this response is awesome, esp likening hubby's tongue to dogs. Love it. |
Anonymous
Now you are confusing me with someone else. I NEVER used the phrase "clueless toddler parents" or anything close to it. If there was a post that used that phrase, I assure you it wasn't mine. And for the third time, I am not trying to barrel over or through your children, I promise. Are you people seriously telling me that when you happen to be standing in the middle of the sidewalk with your children, making it difficult for people to get around you, that you just remain there, completely immobile, as someone approaches, forcing the person approaching to venture into traffic or cross the street? Seriously? ALL I am talking about is when there are kids standing around blocking the sidewalk and the parents then glare at me when my dog and I try to politely squeeze past. That's all! I promise you that as I am doing so, I will say "excuse me" and hold my dog's leash as close to me as possible -- but if you don't give so much as an inch, and my options are to either (1) trample someone's flowers or (2) step off the sidewalk into parked cars or, worse, into moving traffic -- well, that's all I can do, so please don't glare at my dog as we try to get past you however we can. As I have stated a number of times already, this is an admittedly rare situation (though apparently not as rare as I thought since so many DCUMs would apparently do the exact same thing). I really think that what I'm talking about is common courtesy (just as not letting my dog ever lick or jump on anyone is common courtesy) and because of that, I don't believe that my perspective will change when I have my child. I hope to teach him that he is not entitled to stand immobile in people's way, that he should be polite and considerate to everyone, and that "everyone" even includes random folks on the sidewalk. And to the PP who said she got it, thank you! |
Anonymous
I agree, it's hysterical! 
Thank god for some dog common sense and perspective. |
Anonymous
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I think this post has gotten a little out-of-hand. There are clearly responsible and irresponsible dog owners, just as there are responsible and irresponsible parents.
For those of us dog owners (me included), we should be aware that not everyone likes dogs. I try to keep my dog on a short leash around people. If I see someone when I am walking him, especially people with children, I step to the side and command him to sit until they walk by. This avoids people being scared and also asserts my "alpha dog" over him  There are places where dogs are allowed and places where they are clearly not allowed. I liked to follow laws and regulations and I keep my dog out of places marked "No Dogs", but I don't appreciate people trying to tell me that I need to keep my dog out of places where dogs are allowed. If you don't like dogs, go to a "No Dogs" park and if someone with a dog shows up, you are within your rights to point out the sign, since the dog owner is breaking the law.
On a different note - for those of us with kids, we should also realize that we also need to keep our children under control and within our reach. I can't tell you how many times I have been to the park or the mall play area when completely obnoxious children have run over my daughter. Some of these children's parents are worse than dog owners, because they are off to the side, chatting on their phones or talking with their friends. I have seen biting, hitting, knocking down, and other scary behavior. Sometimes, I would rather take my daughter to a dog park than Tyson's corner - it is probably safer! OP - I am sorry your kids are so scared of dogs. I used to be extremely frightened of dogs until the past few years. What helped me was to be introduced to dogs in a more calm setting one-on-one. It is good to have a healthy respect for animals, but I hope that they are able to get over their fear. |
Anonymous
I don't see an issue with your dog licking any member of your family. However, I would never want anyone else's dog licking my children. |
Anonymous
My dog only licks family members who want to be licked or people who approach our dog (like little children who want to pet him). He doesn't randomly lick people. His tongue is not that long and he is always by my side when we are out. If you are in his face, he WILL lick you. If you don't want to be licked, don't get in his face Dogs need personal space, too!
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Anonymous
I live in the city, and I can't imagine how you would let your dog EVER get close enough to a child to lick his/her face. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen. And it's rude and intimidating to toddlers. Your dog needs "personal space?" Then move to the country. |
Anonymous
| As my dog gets older, she gets crankier around children. She adores people in general and other dogs but something about the little kids in my neighborhood (who are a little scared of her and would slowly reach out to touch her gingerly) sets her off. I no longer let kids pet her. Dogs can change as they get older and, even if parents aren't paying attention to their little ones, I make sure the dog doesn't get close to them. |
Anonymous
pp, thanks for your honesty and judgment. I often wonder if some people use their dogs to express anger, or as a weapon. The behavior of some dog owners seems bizarre. I once knew a man who slept with his dogs, and insisted that the woman in his life share the bed with the dogs. He had trouble finding a girlfriend. He was one of the most angry people you could imagine. He seemed to use the dogs as a test to see what he could get away with in the future. |
Anonymous
I grew up with large dogs, but licking my face and mouth is DISGUSTING, more so when it's not even my own dog. For toddlers, not only is it particularly dirty, it also poses imminent danger - after all, your dog is still an animal and there could be something about the toddler/child that sets him off. In addition to leashing your dog, it needs to be on a shorter leash rather than a 20 ft. leash where it goes wherever it wants. There are joggers, pedestrians, and other citizens of the city who do not want to trip over the damn leash or be licked by someone else's dog. |