i can't seem to mind my own business...

[pixie_lily]

occasionally i find myself experiencing a very strong urge to butt into other people's business. i'm not just talking about friends and family; i mean total strangers. this has happened the last two times we've taken cooper to the park. let me explain...

friday evening, we walked to central park. as soon as we got there, we came upon 3 young

Comments

[thesnowyday]

One of the reasons I am a cat owner is the behavior you described at the dog hill. Some dog owners are such awful people. I'm sorry.

[pixie_lily]

our experience the day before, at the dog show, had been SO different: everyone there obviously adored their animals. i never heard a harsh word; even when the dogs "messed up" during the agility competition, the owners would hug and praise them.

the people at the dog park just made me madder than hell. they were there for themselves, NOT for their dogs.

[erooarooarino]

what is an alpha roll?

[pixie_lily]

from: http://dogs.about.com/cs/basictraining/a/alpha_roll.htm... )

[erooarooarino]

oh...that's so mean to do to a dog! It sounds totally abusive! I'm glad you spoke up.

[pixie_lily]

it used to be common practice to alpha roll dogs; thankfully, a "kinder, gentler" method of training dogs is gaining favor.

i just wish the woman at the park had heard about it.

it was like 1) seeing a child get spanked for being scared (i forgot to mention that the woman had been yelling at the dog for allowing another dog to mount her, and the dog nipped at the woman when the yelling and scruff-shaking got to be too much...THEN the woman alpha rolled the dog.) and then 2) after the child is thoroughly afraid and humiiated and confused, seeing all the other kids on the playground come up and start tormenting the child, who is looking to mom for help, and begging, and crying, but the mom just ignores the whole thing...

it REALLY made me sick. it's still making me sick.