Canine Fears

I suppose this post won't gain me any friends, but here goes........

I'm not a big fan of dogs.  While I think there are a number of cute breeds, my desire to pet a dog is fairly limited to docile, mild mannered ones, such as a collie or basset hound, and the older, the better.

My dislike for dogs began at a young age, growing up in a township that didn't have any leash laws.  Everyone's dog in the neighborhood ran wild.  Most of my memories of bike riding involve being chased by a dog, nipping at my bell bottoms.  My brother and my best friend were both bitten by dogs, with me watching in terror.  Thus began my despise in particular for German Shepherds.  As luck would have it, when we moved here, the family five houses down owned two German Shepherds, who frequently got loose.  So my own kids had their fair share of being chased or barked at while simply walking to the bus stop.

Walking most days about three miles in our development, I've had way too many encounters with dogs.  There are very few dogs who can just quietly watch you walk by.  Most bark incessantly, whether they are watching from the screen door, behind a chain link fence, or my favorite, the invisible fencing.  I choose to cross the street and sometimes walk in the other direction if I don't see the dog tied up (been chased one too many times).  Personally, I can't understand how the people inside the houses all around can stand the barking.  We have a lot of walkers/joggers here, so it's likely to be constant barking most days.

My worse case scenario is when I go to someone's house for the first time, ring the doorbell, and instantly hear the barking and the claws on the door.  UGH!  The door is opened and the dog is immediately jumping all over me, while the owner stands there and keeps saying, over and over, "Rover, stop that!" As if the dog understands English.  And I'm left standing there, attempting to hold my covered dish or purse above my head, for fear it will be knocked out of my hands or chewed.  Then, it's following you around, either attempting to lick you or sniff your private parts.  Um, no thanks.  I've even gone so far as to say, "I'm afraid of dogs!"  For some reason, no one wants to believe that.  Gratefully, close friends who know me will put their dog outside or in the basement.  It's weird to me how few dog owners 'get' that there are those of us who don't enjoy all of that, and in fact, dread it.

The absolute worst??  We have relatives who rescue Greyhounds.  It's not unusual for them to have four or five at the same time.  Imagine miniature horses running around a crowded home, knocking things over with their tails.  They seem to be the worst breed when it comes to personal space.........they will lay down on the couch ON TOP of you, put their noses in your drink, and practically knock you over when you stand up.  Even my kids, who are generally not fearful of dogs, are super annoyed by these guys.

You might be thinking, 'She must be a cat person!'  Not really.  My best friend growing up had a Siamese cat who freaked me out.  The constant sneaking up behind you and jumping all over the furniture was not my thing either.  I guess my kids have lived a deprived childhood, without any pets beside fish.