A new approach to not being "approached" and a reminder about safety tonight

[BG and Gavin]

Have you heard of the yellow ribbon campaign?

Dog owners are used to approaching an unknown dog with caution. For dog owners who have sensitive dogs, an unknown dog coming your way means quickly changing direction, crossing the street or telling the other dog's owner politely to stay away. This might leave the other owner assuming that you don't socialize your dog, your dog is aggressive or as a dog owner, you're just plain "doing it wrong".

The Yellow Ribbon Campaign aims to educate all dog owners on dogs that aren't necessarily able to meet and greet with other dogs. Not because of sheer aggression or poor socialization, but because they are sick, hurt or just need some space for other reasons. For example, they may be a recent rescue or adoptee with an unknown history  and need time to adjust.

Owners with dogs who are sensitive and who would prefer not to have any contact with other dogs while on walks can tie a yellow ribbon on their leash as a sign to please stay away to other dog owners out walking their dogs.

Read more here: http://earthrated.com/blog/have-you-heard-of-the-yellow-ribbon-camp...

**On another note, please be careful with your dogs tonight.  Make sure your dog has his collar and tags on and is leashed or crated if unreliable at the door.  With all the kiddies trick or treating it would be easy for an oppotunistic dood to slip out the front door into the dark night and be spooked by all the ghosts and goblins in the street.**

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

We have lived herer 17 years and never had a trick-or-treater.  Not even when our few neighbors had children.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

We don't get any either! Haven't for over 20 years!  We have a long dark scary driveway that no mother would let their child walk down!!!  Consequently, the candy is ALL MINE!!! hee hee hee!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

This is the second time this has been posted and my wish is that it gets posted more and more. 

As a one-time owner of a dog who loved to go out in the world with her humans,  but absolutely did not want to be approached, petted, talked to, I am in love with this new concept.  This keeps dogs and humans safe.  It is a fantastic idea and the faster it catches on, the better.

[BG and Gavin]

It seems very civilized dosen't it Joanne?  I did not realize it had been posted before.  Spread the word I guess :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

PLEASE. Again, I hope to see this posted more and more and become a international symbol. I truly do

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The concensus the first time it was posted was that it was a good idea, but that not enough people would know about it or know what it means. So the more posting, the better.

[Donna K & Quincy]

It's time to educate the masses.

[Pat and Traveler]

Uh....did you notice what Adina said about all the folks who sent iphone photos for the calendar, or sent them direct to DK, etc., etc.   And the instructions were printed REALLY BIG!!  I wouldn't trust to very many people knowing what a yellow ribbon on a leash meant!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have noticed many people seem to have lost the ability or inclination to read anything these days.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Remember when she posted the instructions and the first comment was someone who had obviously not read one word of the post? I looked at my husband and said, "here we go."

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes, that last post did not get a  good reception. I think I was the only one who loved it.  I believe we just have to get accustomed to things.  I've turned my nose on many new ideas only to find I really liked them second and third time around.

This is a Good Concept and needs to be pushed forward. Especially in this world of rescue dogs, dogs trying to be socialized, humans trying to live their lives with some normalcy with a dog who just has a lot of special needs.  You know, we are going to have a lot more of this because we live in bad economic times and dogs bring in good money.  But good money does not make good dogs, as you well know  :)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I like the idea too but yellow ribbons are currently used as a symbol for numerous other causes. I'm surprised that color was chosen. If I saw on on someones leash I would probably think they were waiting for a loved one to return home.