05/23/2024
Guys, I promise this isn’t another usual my-dog-on-leash-other-dog-off-leash type of post. It gets good! (Or I think it does 🤣)
The other day I was on the local public park (not a dog park, but dogs are allowed) walking Menta. We were on a high movement area, so I had her on a leash. Another dog, off leash, sees us and starts approaching. Menta wasn’t interested and started moving away, but the dog got to us before we could leave. So she politely greeted him back, they sniffed for a few seconds, all perfectly good and fine. Dog was young and wants to play, so he offers a couple of very polite play bows, but Menta declines and moves away. Dog gets the message and moves on.
Quite good, right? Here comes the juicy part:
As I’m leaving owner comes to me with a speech more or less like this:
- Hey, if your dog is autistic and doesn’t even play with other dogs, go somewhere else! Don’t come to the park and ruin the other dogs’ days!!!!!
I heard this, a wave of fury started taking over, but suddenly I think I had a lightbulb moment and switched gears completely.
With the biggest, friendliest smile, I opened my arms as wide as I could and go:
- Ohhhhh! Come here! I want to give you a BIG hug!
*panic in her eyes as she backs up, speechless*
- Hey, don’t run, I’m so friendly, come on, I just want to give you a hug! I’m friendly, I just want to hug!!!
*still speechless and backing away with terror now*
- Wait? You don’t want my friendly hug?
-....no...
- neither does my dog. Have a nice day.
As I walked away, I saw her just standing there, speechless, and she was leashing her dog! 😅
I think I’ll try this approach more often 🤣
