Two days ago, my sister-in-law wrecked her car on the way to my house by swerving to avoid hitting two dogs who were hogging the road. The same thing has nearly happened to me a number of times. One icy day, after a near accident with my babies in the car, I decided that, if it came to a choice between someone's dog and MY CHILD, that dog would be flat and I would have no regrets.
That didn't stop me from reflexively slamming on the brakes just a couple of months ago to avoid ramming a dog who veered into the road just as I was passing him. He had done the same thing to the two cars ahead of me--I was watching. If I'd known he was trying vehicle-assisted-suicide, I would have been more helpful.
Ever since that day my three-year-old yells, "Stupid dog!" every time I have to slow the car down suddenly.
This morning, after doing a few household tasks, I followed my two youngest girls to my Mom's house next door. I immediately noticed that there were only three muddy boots on the front porch. After checking around the house, I headed to my sister's construction site. There I had the joy of beholding two dogs playing tug-of-war with a pink and red rain boot while other dogs watched, drooling.
I yelled as I ran toward them. They stood and stared. The tug-of-war winner cocked his head at me with the boot crushed between his teeth. I yelled the dog owner's name and one of the workers said something that made the dog drop it. And I yelled some more as I waved the boot in the dog's face and said things amounting to "No! Bad dog!"
I don't know what those construction workers thought about me as I stomped off, but I don't care. I wasn't about to lose another boot to those. . .unspeakable. . . . . .
8 comments:
How irritating! Why would a construction worker bring his dog to the property?
I'm sorry that it's my construction site that has brought all the dogs to town. Hope the boot is okay.
hee hee! your description of the dog boot feast and the drooling onlooker! hee! but grrrrr. yeah, that's weird that the worker would bring his dog...wish all dogs could be as faithful and sweet as skippy. all other dogs are dumb dogs. :)
It's not just one worker. There are four or more dogs there most days. Some gravitate from the neighborhood but most come with their owners.
I've asked myself why they bring them and I think the answer is that they're afraid of what would happen to their own stuff if they left them home.
I was at a dinner party last night and told my story about dogs in the road. I mentioned my anger toward dog owners who let their dogs roam free.
At this, my friend's husband said, "We let our dogs roam free. I don't think it's nice to keep them cooped up."
My thoughts? I don't think they'll feel very "free" when they turn into roadkill.
Start leaving chocolate out for the dogs. Oh wait, they'll probably just throw up on your door stoop. :(
Sorry, by the image your daughter yelling "stupid dog" made me laugh.
Oh, good writing, Edith.
Chaucer is a wonderful dog too...
Personally I wouldn't allow dogs at the construction site. Dogs together are really dangerous for little kids...ie Chris Nass' little brother who got into the middle of a few dogs and was mauled to death. Not trying to be an alarmist, but it's a reality.
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