Dog Tales + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Let's talk about dogs, shall we? This summer my own sweet Evee is into her twilight years. Her snout is turning grey, she has trouble getting up when in resting position, she doesn't run after frisbees like she used to (she's good for about 5 minutes and then she's done). When we go on our morning walks, she really loves it, but it pretty much wears her out for the rest of the day. She and my dad are the biggest pals. They love taking naps together, he in his recliner and Evee at his feet. She's had a happy life. I've gone above and beyond trying to make her life happy. And she has certainly made mine sweeter.

But it's not Evee that I'll be perseverating on today. I have a few recent stories I'd like to share!

Story 1: I occasionally see a certain fellow dog-owner on my walks. She has two dogs with her and she has them leashed per the park ordinance that all dogs must be leashed. One of them isn't so friendly, by her own admission, so she doesn't appreciate people with dogs that aren't leashed because usually those dogs want to approach other dogs and demonstrate their amazing hiney-sniffing skills. Just as an FYI, some dogs and humans don't appreciate being approached by uninvited dogs or pets. It leads to awkward encounters that shouldn't have to be endured when you're out on a walk, minding your own business. But beyond that, some encounters go way past mere awkwardness. For instance this woman told me about a leashed dog who was approached by, not only an unleashed dog, but an unleashed pit bull and true to the stereotype, the pit bull launched into the leashed dog and ripped the unsuspecting dog up. This was documented on the neighborhood app and an alert went out to watch out for that owner and dog. But not to be reliant on an app, my leash-loving friend with the two dogs now carries a gun. She claims she wants to enjoy her walks. Believe me, whenever we cross paths, I make sure to move over and give her a wide berth! But are her fears unfounded? Who wants to meet someone's crazy dog and get into harm's way?

Story 2: On one of my walks last Fall, before the snow flew (all the way into June), I ran into a man with 4 unleashed dogs. I had Evee with me, and she was leashed. Evee is more similar to the first woman's dog who doesn't like to be approached by other dogs. She becomes defensive of me, and acts very territorial, even though she is a big chicken and will back down at the least show of dominance. So these dogs, although friendly enough, come charging up to us without restraint, ready to do the doggy sniffing thing. Evee doesn't like it and neither do I. We just want to walk! Evee let it be known that she wanted no part of this canine butt investigation. I mentioned to the gentleman that it would be nice if he had a leash on his dogs. He proceeded to dress me down about how his dogs are "in training", therefore, no leash needed, and that my dog was poorly socialized and it was my dog at fault. At this rude and arrogant response, I pushed my way through all 4 dogs and proceeded on my way, hoping never to see them or him again. Fate was not on my side. On our way back, we encountered this shaggy crew yet again. This time he was paying no attention whatsoever to his dogs "in training" and was talking on his phone. Again they approached us and this time I tapped one of his dogs with my walking stick, as a warning to stay away. When he saw that, he launched into me saying I had assaulted his dog and that Evee had bit one of them as well. (She hadn't touched them) He said he was going to follow me and call 9-1-1 to have me cited for dog abuse. I told him to go ahead, I'd gladly do that. The law, after all, states that all dogs must be leashed. Any violation will result in a $350 fine. He had 4 violations. I was more than happy to oblige him. I called his bluff. We walked all of 5 feet and then he turned around. Before he got out of hearing range, I let him know that he didn't own the park and he doesn't make the rules. Don't try this at home. As crazy as he was, he could have taken out some kind of weapon and hurt me or Evee badly. I lucked out. 

Story 3: I was watching 'Hot Bench', which is my current favorite. Three judges work together to come up with verdicts. It must either be unanimous or 2 - 1, with one judge dissenting. Up next on the docket were two dog owners. The first set of owners brought in a little dog with a badly injured eye. Next came a woman with a cute little girl. (They had a picture of their dog, a pit bull. She said it was a mixed breed. But the judges said it must be 1% something else and  99% pit.) The plaintiff, owner of the small injured dog, stated that the pit bull owner was negligent, letting the pit bull come into the yard of the small dog while it was out with its owner. It attacked the little dog, causing extensive damage, especially to the eye, resulting in blindness. They were asking for reimbursement for all medical bills. The defendant maintained that the small dog was being aggressive and territorial. And while it was admittedly in its own yard, it was unrestrained. Her dog had been leashed. Therefore, she shouldn't have to pay anything. My first impression was that the injured dog owners would be fully compensated. But that's not what happened. It was a 2 - 1 verdict that the cost of the vet bill would be divided 50 - 50 because 2 of the judges felt that even though the little dog was in the yard, it should have also been restrained on a leash. (Note to self: It's a good strategy to bring a cute little girl into court and be a witness!) I'm sorry, but WHAT? Do you mean to tell me that I can't let my dog out in my own yard, to do her business and if in her own yard, a dog comes into it, for any reason, and she can't defend her territory by barking? As far as I'm concerned, if a dog comes onto my property uninvited, that's trespassing. But above and beyond that, if a dog, leashed or unleashed, comes onto my property and starts attacking my dog, leashed or unleashed, I will defend my dog and I expect to not be held liable. And if another dog, leashed or unleashed, hurts my dog, leashed or unleashed, on my property, they should definitely be liable for all vet bills. It seems crystal clear to me. I mean, whoever heard of leashing up your dog to go out and do their business in the yard? 

Do you have any crazy stories about dog encounters and their crazy owners?  I must say dogs are wonderful animals. But they can only do so much. Some owners are beyond help! 

Today is "My Post Monday!", a curation of the week's best original content. It's all about posts from Crafts to Camping, Wellness to Wealth, Fashion to Food, and whatever else is on the brain!  I  open up with a post of my own and then follow it up with a linky of the week's top original blog posts! It's all about what the writer thinks, believes, and knows--in other words, they are active, writing blogs. If I happen to find a great original, non-sponsored post, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MyPostMonday hashtag!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize(Affiliate links welcome)