Oh, my God, the dog licked me!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I love dogs and animals of all sizes and shapes. After having a bird and a guinea pig, Monty is finally my first dog and what a good dog he is. We are hoping to pass the Therapy dog certification with Delta Society in February 2012. In the meantime, I keep his training routine going. While back I got him a dog vest with patches that read: "I'm friendly, ask to pet me. Therapy dog in training." We take Monty everywhere with us so that he can get socialized with all sorts of people and environments. As all of you doodle owners know, we all get stopped quite often since our doods are just irresistible, correct? Therapy dogs or not, there is just something special about doodles that makes other people want to pet them. I bet you get that all the time when you are out and about with your dogs. Correct?

So today I got a reaction that I have never experienced before. Here is what happened:

I was shopping for a paining easel at Michaels this morning and Monty was with me. I picked up the clumsy box and was making my way to the checkout. Those of you who shop at Michaels know that the isles are quite narrow. So here I come with the box under my right arm, holding the leash with a healing Monty in my left hand. There is a couple of ladies standing in the isle, their back turned to us looking at something. They are on Monty's side. So I squeeze right behind them with my box, Monty following me. There was no pull on the leash whatsoever. Suddenly I hear one of the lady's screaming: Oh my God, the dog licked me. How disgusting!" I turned around to see her angry face looking directly at me. Wow, really? At best, maybe he touched her leg with his wet nose as he was passing by. There was really not much room. Sorry about that. I totally understand there are people who do not like dogs and do not find our fuzzy doods irresistible (well, I don't really understand, but I know there are people like that). I was so flabbergasted by the reaction of the woman that I did not know how to react. I understand that I have to be careful being the dog handler, but it's not like I had to fight with the dog to stop harassing the lady. He was just walking behind her. I know Monty did not lick her. He does not react to people who are not facing him and not talking to him in a high pitched voice about how cute he is. Since I did not know how to react nicely to her scream, I just kept walking to the cash registers.

Oh well, lesson learned. And by the way, Monty got "attacked" by 3 other shoppers who wanted to pet him as we were standing in the line for the checkout. All commented on how well behaved he was. He understood none of it, but it helped me to get over the whole unpleasant situation.

 

 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Thanks for all your comments. Yes, I will learn to apologize to people who get touched by my dog and freak out. It was just such an unexpected reaction that my brain turned into a mush. Now that I know it can happen, I will be ready.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I wouldn't worry about it, but F's response might have helped in case she complained. I would rather be licked by a dog than handle the money that comes from the cash register...LOL!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

First off how nice that you can take Monty into Michaels, my Michaels would not ever allow that. secondly, oh well lady, get a life!

Seriously though I guess you could have said, so sorry, but don't worry, he has had his shots, and then under your breath maybe you could have said hopefully so did you. ha

[Janice Hammond]

Some people are amazing aren't they? I f you don't like dogs....... you don't like people.Last Sunday I took Sadie to have her Christmas picture taken with Santa at PetSmart. I could hardly get outof the store so many people were petting her and making a fuss. One woman walked right out into the parking lot just to "pet her one more time".Of course Sadie just lapped it up.

[F, Calla & Luca]

A simple "I'm sorry if he touched you", might help and prevent them from reporting this so doodles can keep[ going there. My doodle (when I had only one) was kicked out of Michael's long ago for doing absolutely nothing wrong.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I might have been tempted to say something like, "Yeah, my dog thought your leg was pretty disgusting, too!"  Not really - knowing me, I would have done exactly what you did and walked on without a confrontation, even though a confrontation might have been more satisfying!