OR There are leash laws for a REASON, people!

We took a little stroll around the block last night.  We’ve been doing this quite a bit lately.  It takes about 10 minutes to walk around the block and gets us some fresh air and exercise before bed.  We often go around 10 or 11 at night so yes, the boys are asleep.  And we leave them here.  Alone.  In a house that is completely locked up while they’re sound asleep.  But whatever.  Probably not our wisest act but there you have it.  Anyhow, we generally take Beetoe along with us.  We don’t take Poptart because a) she will not have anything to do with a leash and b) she’s usually tucked away sleep with Harry in his room at that point.

So last night we took off after watching “Wild Hogs”.  We don’t generally encounter many neighbors as it is pretty late at night.  It’s better this way because earlier in the day we’re far more likely to run into other people and/or other dogs.  And Beetoe is just not a friendly sort of animal.  She doesn’t mind Poptart, but then she’s another rat terrier and Beetoe probably recognizes that.  Plus they’re roughly the same size.  That goes a long way.

Anyhow, last night we came across a couple who was out walking their large, black, unleashed dog.  They were on the other side of the street though, and their dog seemed disciplined enough to stay with them rather than cross the street to see what Beetoe was all about.  Disaster averted.  As we came around the block, however, we encountered these people again and this time on our side of the street.  We tried crossing the street but it was too late.  The other large, black, unleashed dog wasn’t going to let it go that easy this time and followed us across.  What followed was predictable.  The other dog (unleashed, remember?) went to sniff at Beetoe’s butt.  And Beetoe done lost her shit.  She snarled, she squealed, she ran in circles around Kile as he tried to pick her up and avert a major international incident.  It started to escalate and I distinctly remember hearing myself say, “Pick her up!”  Finally, Kile was able to grab her up.  The lady apologized which we pretty much ignored.  I know at that particular moment I was trying to regain my breathe which had mysteriously left me.  We just kept walking and I muttered rather loudly, “I knew that would happen.”

Honestly?  No one is the worse for wear.  Yes, even Beetoe.  No harm was done, she just doesn’t like her butt sniffed.  Especially by large, black, unleashed dogs.  I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I keep mentioning that this dog wasn’t on a leash.  And yes, there are leash laws in this town.  Now, I’m pretty sure this couple thought their dog (their family member, surely) was such a good dog it couldn’t possibly need a leash.  Because this dog wouldn’t harm a flea and listens to their every command.  Well, every command but the one telling it to stay when it got sight of Beetoe.  And I know the dog was a nice dog.  Had to be, otherwise Beetoe would have been mincemeat at the first snap of her wee Beetoe jaw.  The other dog was just being “friendly.”  Thing is, the leash law goes both ways.  It is to protect other dogs and people as well as to protect your dog and yourself.  We never take Beetoe out without a leash even though she’s a very good dog here at home.  Because I know she’s anti-social.  These people should have had their dog on a leash because of my anti-social dog.

The way I see it, we did all we could.  We had our dog on a leash and tried to cross to the other side of the street to avoid confrontation.  The owners of the other dog dropped the ball by not having their dog on a leash.  I can understand trusting your dog, really I can.  But for pity’s sake, PUT A LEASH ON YOUR DOG.   Or don’t go for walks.  Those are the choices.