In Support of the Little Guy

It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood, so I took the dogs for one of our nice 2 mile walks. It's a perfect Spring day, the sun is out, there is a crisp, cool breeze, the birds are making nests and the bees are starting to buzz around. It's one of those days you are so happy to be alive and well! On our walk, I heard a comment that inspired this post, but first I will give you a little background.

The largest dog we had growing up was a basset hound and that was my first dog, she was awesome! After that we had Yorkies, very small dogs of course, and all wonderful dogs. If you've been reading my posts, you know that I have two border terriers, not big dogs at all, but much hardier than Yorkies. If you've never seen a border, they are similar in size to a jack (parson) russell terrier, about 15 pounds. Also, my two borders became a little fearful after two aggressive neighbor dogs who used to attack our fence. So, I'm working with Fin and Ri, trying my best "Dog Whisperer" impersonation to help them realize other dogs are something they do not need to worry about.

So, back to our walk...We approached the tennis courts where there were matches going on. At the first court we approached was a yellow lab who I've seen watching tennis matches all the time; he's always off leash as he was today. Usually the lab doesn't even notice us, this time, however, the lab growled at my dogs. It was a deep, low growl too, which was kind of weird. Again, I was trying to do my best "Dog Whisperer" so we just kept walking. Quite frankly, I was surprised that this lab was growling at my two dogs who actually seemed oblivious to him; neither of my dogs reacted to the lab! Maybe all those darn Dog Whisperer episodes I've watched are paying off! ;) After the owner corrected the lab (who I should note, stayed by his owner and didn't come towards us), he then made the comment, "those are just appetizers," followed by a chuckle. It may have been because he was with his buddies and felt like he had to comment on the size of my dogs, but it really irritated me! Maybe he was embarrassed that his big lab was initiating something with two small dogs, I guess it's not the most macho thing. ;)

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that comment or comments like that. With the Yorkies I guess I understood it a little because they are so small, but my borders are tough! They aren't prissy-looking dogs, they are scruffy, tough, relentless terriers! The truth is, they could probably give that lab a run for his money! -Not that I would ever want that, but terriers in general are as tough as nails. Borders were bread to go into fox holes for crying out loud!

Maybe I shouldn't have been so sensitive, but today it just stuck in my head. When my dogs initiate a bark-fest, it makes more sense; today, they were angels and I was so proud of them.

Anyway, we finished our lovely walk and they couldn't be happier to be outside, enjoying all the scents and critters running about. Now they are feeling sleepiness set in and are ready for their afternoon naps...Oh, to be a dog!