Put a leash on it! An anonymous guest blog….

I have a confession to make, and it will make me very unpopular. So unpopular, in fact, that I am writing anonymously. So here goes: I don’t like your dog. I don’t want to pet your dog. I don’t want your dog to jump up on me, no matter how cute you think it is or how friendly you think your dog is being. I want no part of it.

Before you render me heartless and cruel, please consider that I had a very successful career in both a service industry and the non-profit world. And on Sundays in college, while most of my friends were hung over and sleeping until noon, I taught Sunday school to middle and high school students after Mass. I recently delivered Meals on Wheels to some of the shadiest parts of Charlotte, and I financially support a number of philanthropic causes around the country.

So I am not heartless. I am just not a dog person. In fact I’m not really an animal person at all. I’ve found it is socially acceptable for people to say, “I hate cats.” But when I tell people, “I hate dogs,” I am barraged with judgment and horrified faces. “But they’re such great companions. They’re so loyal. You don’t like them at all?” I will not dispute these wonderful arguments, and I respect the choice of anyone to own a dog. I only wish that my respect would be reciprocated. Instead I find that dog owners try to convince me how wonderful dogs are and try to force their dog-lovingness on me.

I live in a community in which 80% of the homeowners are also dog owners, so it is inevitable that my child and I will encounter a dog on our morning walks. Usually I smile and say, “hello, Doggie,” and roll right on past. I get very annoyed when dog owners let their dogs come right up to my ankles and sniff me. I am not forcing you to be nice to my child, please don’t force your dog on me. I remember once wheeling my child past a man walking three 100-plus pound dogs. I smiled and waved, and as we passed I heard him say, “What? No love for the dogs?” The man paid no attention to my child, and I am supposed to fawn over his pets?

Of course not all dog owners are like this. Many of my neighbors read my body language and general discomfort around their animals and act accordingly. But for those of you who can’t possibly understand, I’ve put together a few guidelines that will help you deal with people like me:

1. Do not allow your dog to jump on anyone when a guest arrives at your front door. I remember once getting pounced on at a friend’s house while wearing a just-back-from-the-cleaners skirt. The dog left its paw prints on my skirt, and I was none too pleased. I would not let my two-year-old leave his/her grubby prints on your fine clothes.
2. Watch the body language of your guests, and only let your dog out when entertaining guests you know are comfortable with dogs. Some good friends of ours always keeps their dog in the garage when we visit because they noticed that when we first met their dog we didn’t so much as pet it.
3. Please don’t assume that I, as a stranger, am interested in petting your dog when we cross paths. Unless I make a specific motion to rub your dog’s head, or unless I inquire about his name/breed, please hold tight to your dog’s leash.

**A side-note from Katie: I have a dog. I love my dog. I understand that other people may not. Which is why I love this post. A big thanks to the writer of this blog post. You’ve given us dog owners some helpful tips!