July 20, 2003
Last agility class: Dusty takes a jump on her graduation run.
9:00 p.m.
Some days, it feels like humanity is on a downward spiral. This was one of those days.
We worked at the gallery in the afternoon. On our late afternoon walk, another dog lunged at Dusty and snapped at her. The dog's owner then glared at *me*, even though Dusty hadn't even approached the dog. We walked on quickly. Then a car passed by and a guy screamed "Titties!" out the window. Sort of funny, but really REALLY sad at the same time.
After work, we went to the park. Things were going well until we encountered a group of children kicking a socker ball. Dusty started to chase the ball, somewhat hesitantly - it was really funny. The kids laughed, I laughed. Then a little boy kicked Dusty as he walked by. She was so frightened. I picked her up and her heart was pounding against my arm, but she seemed otherwise unhurt.
I recognised this child - we've encountered him before. He kicked a soccer ball in Dusty's face a few weeks ago as we were walking down the sidewalk in the park. The adult who was with the boy asked him to apologise. Today, there was no adult with him.
I walked up to the group of children and said: "Hey. Kid with the gray shirt?" I had his attention. "If you ever touch my puppy again, I'll find your parents and tell them what you did. And I may even phone the police. Stay away from my puppy!"
Then I addressed the other children. "You were all laughing as my puppy chased the ball. If you were upset, or scared by my puppy, the right thing to do is tell me, not kick her. Next time, tell me that you need your soccer ball and I'll take her to another part of the park."
After I finished, I did precisely that and the children grouped in a pre-adolescent huddle by the playground to discuss the situation. They were still there when I left the park.
I know this sounds very crotchety, but what is it about kids these days? *sigh* My puppy doesn't bother anyone, why is this little boy so intent on hurting her? I don't understand people sometimes.
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