If I Still Owned a Pet...

I like to think I am a dog lover. I don't have a problem being around dogs. I am not allergic to them, frightened by them, grossed out by them...nothing. I believe the soul of dogs has to be one of the most beautiful of God's revolutionary creations. They are truly man's (used in the sense of humanity) best friend. It's the owner's I seem to have a problem with. Here's a list of things that peeves me about dog owners. So...If I still owned a dog...

1. I still wouldn't allow them in my kitchen.

   
   

   

   Could You Resist?

   
   
   
   
   
   

   If this surprises you then you are someone who allows your dog in your kitchen. I used to work for a Department Store. The story has nothing to do with the Department Store but I still won't name it. Every so often the Managers and the Employees would have what we called a "Pot Roast". Basically everybody would cook something and bring in their dishes to share with everyone. There was this one employee that was one of those owners that bragged about letting her dog taste the meal while she was cooking. That her dish was was made with ingredients that were all safe for dogs. I can remember thinking, First, "Uh...please tell me you keep the utensils separate and the dog is not in your arms while you're cooking" , and then "Why would the ingredients need to be safe for dogs at work?" I can remember asking one of the other managers to please make sure to identify which dish belonged to whom so we could...thank them for the dish they brought. But it was more to identify which dishes to stay away from. My Office employees and I started just ordering pizza on those days and eating it in the office.

2. I still wouldn't walk my dog to do their business in someone else's yard.

   
   

   

   Ummmm...please not in my yard.

   
   

   I believe this to be one of the most disrespectful things dog owners do. If you don't agree then I will give you a little scenario. You've just finished paying THOUSANDS of dollars to have the yard of your new home laid in a nice beautiful Zoysia grass. The lawn has just for the first time completely attached itself and rooted. The grass is perfectly green and you're up early on your new orl old lawn tractor about o cut it for the very first time. You get it perfectly cut, edged, and cleared of any extra clipping that will turn brown on top of your perfectly green grass. You grab maybe your wife and kids and spend the day playing outside in your new lawn. Your kids had so much fun outside they want to do it again tomorrow. The next day you wake up early and make a cup of coffee. Put your robe on to head outside and just sit on your porch to see your beautifully cut grass and clean edges, While sitting there sipping your coffee a neighbor from down the street is walking by with their dog and stops to allow their dog to do their business on your perfectly green grass. The neighbor may even pick up the waste. You see it one time and you let it slide. No harm no foul. Or is it. Over time you get comfortable believing your neighbors are good enough people to keep picking it up. But they don't. After a while you start noticing round brown spots in your perfectly green grass theat you just paid THOUSANDS of dollars to have laid. These brown spots come from the neighbors letting their dog urinate in your yard and it has killed the grass. Meanwhile...every time you walk to your mail box all you can see is the front of your yard being killed off by gallons of someone elses dog urine. Would you be upset if I asked you to pay to have my yard fixed? Technically it is property damage. Or can you pay to give my family the security to feel safe to play in the grass without fear of stepping in a neighborly pile of shit? How about this...don't get a dog of you don't have a place for them to do their business on your own property. Why are you taking your dog out of your yard to defile someone elses? Take away another family's sense of security in their own damn yard. Sounds selfish doesn't it. Think about it next time you see someone standing in your yard letting their dog defile your property when they have their own. They are not afraid to step in their yard!

3. I would build a fence if I intended to let my dog roam free.

   
   

   

   Fenced in Dogs can roam free in your yard.

   
   

   Nothing is worse than getting towards the midway through your morning run and noticing one of your neighbors has a large blue pitbull sitting in their front yard watching you come down the road. By the time your winded ass notices the dog is not tied to a chain and is free to rip you to shreds, it is in a full sprint headed towards you. ADRENALINE RELEASE!! Now you're in a full panic sprint back the way you came. Delightful! Or maybe you notice a mother pushing a stroller down the street toward the same home that this beautiful dog is loose. Your dog does not love other people the way it loves you. Don't assume your dog will be kind to everyone. Especially if you own a dog that is considered a "scary" dog. I know we all have our freedoms, but does it have to be at the cost of humanity? Don't let me add on that the loose dog now roams free and impregnates your dog. Now YOU have the expense of a pregnant dog and possibly several puppies on your hands.

4. I would still respect the fact that everybody is not an animal person...or may be allergic.

   
   

   

   Stores or businesses please carry Epinephrine in First Aid if it is Legal.

   
   

   As a former Loss Prevention and Asset Protection Manager, it was part of my job to protect the Managers, employees, and customers that entered the building. One of the things that used to "irk" me was people who would bring their non-service dog into the store and either place them in a shopping cart, a child's stroller, or let them walk about the store with or without a leash. As a dog lover I understand loving an animal. I also understand what you believe to be your rights. I definitely don't want you to leave your dog in a heated vehicle. But there are some people who are horrifically afraid of animals. There are people who terribly allergic to dogs. Please have the decency, the humanity or humility to understand that everybody doesn't share your love of your animal. There is no requirement. There is no law. Please have the decency to leave your pet out of the store. WHILE ON THE SUBJECT...it is understood that some people have emotional support animals. It may help that person with the emotional support animals, but what if it causes another person to need emotional support in the immediate area... Or what if it causes some child to have an allergic reaction and their throat starts to swell in the store. Now there is a medical emergency because you have to have this animal with you while shopping for some clothes. How about this...at the time an emotional support animal wasn't the same as a service dog. Service dogs are professionally trained to provide service to a person, I knew the lady who trained them in our area. She was respectful to ask me if it was ok for her to use our store to help train her blind clients. She would be responsible for any damage. The only thing I asked in return is that she let me know her safety concerns so our store could make the changes to be safer for her clients and their service animals.

5. I would still have my dog accustomed to being outside for periods of time.

   
   

   

   
   

   This kind of goes back to the "not everyone likes animals" thing. Here's the thing...my mom does not like animals at all whatsoever. Being a woman of color raised in the South, there were times where dog were intentionally released upon them and chased them even as children. Some unable to outrun these colorblind, trained to kill animals. I believe an understandable fear has grown inside her because of those days that has never gone away. I never really thought about it until now. Her love for me when I was a young child overshadowed her fear of dogs when she let my dad bring home a dog for me and my sisters. I also have many friends and loved ones who are allergic to dogs, so my dog would have a beautiful place outside to call home, and allow my guest or guests to feel comfortable and safe while visiting.

   
   
   
   

   In conclusion? I kinda think it doesn't need to be said. There are many other things that could be included on this list. If you would like to see another list, please drop us a line and let us know your pet peeves.

   
   

   

   What a Magnificent Animal

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   ~Renaissance Blvd King