topic Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!! in Among Friends

Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

RinaRina — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:24:04 GMT

I've been going to a local dog park since I got my dog last September. The park is enormous and has no trees. For 10 months, it's been pretty much the same core group of people, all of whom are much younger than I. (You'll understand the relevance of the "age" issue later.)

Anyway, it's summer, so everyday, I bring my umbrella and lounge chair and angle myself where there's the least amount of sun exposure. The "younger" dog owners, pretty much just "roast" in the sun, which is understandable. When I was younger, I was a "sun-worshipper" too, but at this late stage in my life, no thanks!

Yesterday, we all decided to leave the confines of the dog area and take a stroll on one of the trails in the park. Guy #1 said to me, "you can't take your dog because I walk fast." His roommate, ("Guy #2") then said, "just leave your dog here, and I'll watch him" (he has 4 dogs). I declined, and sat back down in my lawn chair. As Guy #1 left the dog area and approached the trail, another member of the core group appeared and he motioned for her to join him -- WITH HER DOG. I immediately got up and shouted, "hey, wait for me." They didn't wait. I had to catch up -- with my dog.

The trail walk was beautiful, and took about 15-20 minutes. When we returned to the dog section, I asked some of the people who'd remained at the dog section, if they wanted to hit the trail. ("Let's do it again!")

Guy #1 agreed to walk again and this time, Guy #2 and another dog owner came, with his dog. But before we left, Guy #2 says to me, "you can't take that umbrella."

Here's the conversation: (abbreviated version)

Guy #2- "you can't take that umbrella"

Me: "Why?"

Guy #2-

1-Why do you always bring that umbrella?

2-You look ridiculous.

3- The sun is not even out. (it was)

4- You don't need to wear those sunglasses either.

Me: "You're being rude."

Guy #2 - I'm exercising my right to free speech.

You get the idea ....

I've gone to this park almost every day since last year, but now, I'm not sure if I should go back.

This isn't the first time, Guy #2 has started an unnecessary disagreement. Three months ago, he got testy with me because I didn't let him "sit" my dog while I had my knee replacement. Yesterday, he accused me of being "too protective" of my dog.

Well, frankly, what business is it of his?

Something's not right.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

qualitygal — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:17:16 GMT

Why is everyone so rude and angry now?

Who needs that aggravation?

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

pommom — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:16:02 GMT

RinaRina: I can understand how disturbing and frustrating this must be for you. My suggestion is that you find another dog park. My reasoning is this: it doesn't sound as though it is an enjoyable experience any more and who knows, your dog may find a new adventure stimulating. I'd not go back.

Life is too short to put with up with these antics. Life is to enjoy and savor every moment. You owe it to yourself and your furbaby. Good luck.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

RinaRina — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:35:12 GMT

Can you imagaine how flabbergasted I was when he said he was exercising his "right to free speech"???

Uhhhh .. really?

His right???? To insult me?

Honestly, I'm a little afraid for my dog, to tell you the truth.

Maybe I should've posted this on the "Pet Lovers" board.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

Annabellethecat66 — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:27:32 GMT

@pommom stated exactly how I feel. I don't have a dog but my daughter recently tried to adopt a puppy. She had to return the puppy for further training as it was unbelievably agressive. She'd hired trainers (2 different ones) and they all said the same thing, return the dog, you can't handle it.

I mention this because it was her first time having her own dog at the dog park. Previously she'd always had her friend's dogs.

She said she'd noticed at different parks there were different people who seemed to think they had the run of the dog park. They didn't but they THOUGHT they were the mayor of the dog park.

My advice to her was to go to another park. I said that this is what happens in life. There are always going to be people who for one reason or another she will find irritating (be it their fault or just the way she feels toward them). I said that she was an adult and one of the wonderful things about being an adult is that (unless one has to work directly with the person) she is able to avoid these individuals.

Like the other person said, "Life is too short to be around people who irritate you. Go somewhere else". I used to tell my girls when people were mean or rude to just be glad they weren't part of thier life and they could get away from them.

She laughed on the phone and said, "Thanks Mom! I'd forgotten you'd always told us that...."

now I'm telling you.....be glad you don't have to see these irritating individuals. Your dog would probably like a change anyway.

Every Saturday (even though I have 2 cats and never had a dog) I watch the TV show "The Dog Whisperer". He says "dogs live 'in the minute'". I believe it.

One more thing.....It shows how much smarter you are than they are anyway, you have enough sense to shade yourself from the sun, they don't.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

Gram W — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:35:05 GMT

Smaller cities may not have more than 1 dog park, We have 1 but have multiple paved walking trails in the county. [Thank you tax payers. Trails paved for bikers and hikers but city streets and highways full of holes.] We are required to carry bags to pick up after our pets in and outside of the park. No problem but not all pick up. Our dogs are welcome all over the city, even at the side walk cafes. I love my dogs and cats. Not all dogs are well behaved and kept on leashes. Enough said.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:44:07 GMT

I agree....very rude...sounds like he may have some mental health issues.

I quit taking my Malts to the dog park after my Holly caught Sarcoptic Mange from another dog. That was a nightmare to deal with....

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

Suzy Q from PA — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:48:22 GMT

I have been visiting the local dog park every evening for several years and am a part of what we call dog park groupies. We even get together for lunch(no dogs) once a month! Over the years we have run into either dogs or people we do not necessariy choose to spend time with. People are easy....just avoid by moving to another part of park .....dogs not so much.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

Buck-i-Nana — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:48:40 GMT

OK, so the guy was a jerk. Ignore him! Is the park unsafe for you and your dog to just walk the trails alone?

When I take my dogs to the dog park, I go there for them. I enjoy watching them romp and explore. Occasional conversation with the regulars happens, but it's not a social gathering by any means.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

queendiva — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:51:24 GMT

@RinaRina: I, too go to a local dog park daily; also a same core group at the same late afternoon time.

Do NOT let these jerks get you down. Avoid them. Avoid speaking to them, but remain with the group. Think now about what you will say to them the next time they make a rude comment to you. If they wants to walk the trail, do NOT accompany them, even if everyone else in the group does. Enjoy the peace and quiet while they gone and go as you did with another group at another time.

When there is someone at the park who I do not enjoy so much, I just try to avoid (her). One woman always talks at length about her favorite subject- herself. Lucky for me she is moving out of state soon and she is not a daily fixture at the park..

Just be pleasant to all and to their dogs. You can't change rude, but you can avoid it. Keep going to the park, ignore those two jerks and enjoy the park, the dogs and everyone else.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

equss — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 17:59:44 GMT

@RinaRina wrote:
Can you imagaine how flabbergasted I was when he said he was exercising his "right to free speech"???
Uhhhh .. really?
His right???? To insult me?

Honestly, I'm a little afraid for my dog, to tell you the truth.
Maybe I should've posted this on the "Pet Lovers" board.

Because you say you are afraid for your dog you must listen to your little vouce and avoid this individual. Trust your instincts that something is off with him and either change your schedule or go to a different location. Your dogs and your personal safety are what is important. Remember the book Gift of Fear.....this may apply and not worth it

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

RinaRina — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 18:04:52 GMT

@Nataliesgramma wrote:
I agree....very rude...sounds like he may have some mental health issues.

I quit taking my Malts to the dog park after my Holly caught Sarcoptic Mange from another dog. That was a nightmare to deal with....

Funny you should mention that. I've seen quite a few mangy "looking" dogs at this park. It's pretty clear, some people just don't take care of their dogs like they should.

Guy #2's female dog is not spayed and he lets all the neutered males hump her when she's in heat. Back in March/April, when he insisted I allow my dog to participate in their little canine orgy, I declined, and didn't go back to the park for 2 weeks. Honestly, I was just repulsed by the whole thing. He's too cheap to spay his (2) females.

On Tuesday, one of the owners told him his male dog had fleas. Disgusting!

I'm sorry, I may not be returning to this dog park because it's so close to my house. It was very convenient.

But I have a rule; no one has carte-blanche to insult me .. especially people who hardly know me.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

KingstonsMom — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 18:07:47 GMT

Next time, tell him/them that while they're exercising their right to 'free speech', exercise their right to minding their own business as well.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

Noel7 — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 18:08:13 GMT

@RinaRina

What a jerk he is! I'd advise you to avoid him and NEVER leave your dog or anything else with him.

Plenty of people have to avoid the sun, especially those who have had skin cancer. The man is ignorant to push you in that area.

YOU take charge, maybe smile, but just say NO and do your own thing. Don't even bother responding to him.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

Noel7 — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 18:10:17 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
Next time, tell him/them that while they're exercising their right to 'free speech', exercise their right to minding their own business as well.

*******************************

LOL! @KingstonsMom

I love that

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

queendiva — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 18:12:08 GMT

@RinaRina: I belong to a community members only park. All dogs must be up to date on shots and unspayed dogs are obviously not permitted when they are "in season". There is also a county dog park nearby that, like yours, appears to have few rules. I do not go there.

Based on your comment about the guy bringing his dog in heat to the park, he is indeed a jerk with capital letters. No changing or reasoning with someone like that. Keep away from him, but not the park!

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

CrazyDaisy — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 18:13:01 GMT

So much drama you have in your life....

You cannot control what people say, you can only control how you react.. Ignore him.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

RinaRina — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 18:14:04 GMT

@Buck-i-Nana wrote:
OK, so the guy was a jerk. Ignore him! Is the park unsafe for you and your dog to just walk the trails alone?

When I take my dogs to the dog park, I go there for them. I enjoy watching them romp and explore. Occasional conversation with the regulars happens, but it's not a social gathering by any means.

Oh yeah. Three murders -- dead bodies were found in the park during Christmas.

In fact, one of the women who didn't walk with us yesterday because she didn't have on comfortable shoes, mentioned going on a bike ride on the trails. I told her NOT to do it alone. It is not safe. We all know that. That's why we're always in a "group". We all come to the park at the same time. I told you, it's the same "core" group of people -- and for good reason.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

Perkup — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 19:06:10 GMT

I guess I'm a different kind of dog owner. I keep my dog clean and flee/tick free. I honestly don't want him around dogs that I don't know are cared for in the same way, thus I do not patronize dog parks. There are many people in my neighborhood who have well cared for dogs, and who walk them every day. DH and I can't do it every day, but we go as often as we can. And for some reason, our pup thinks he is above some of the other dogs and won't associate with them. ( I guess he's a bit of a snob.)

Anyway, dog parks around here have all sorts of "not so loved" dogs, and some that can be a bit vicious, so we don't need them or use them.

Re: Guy @ Dog Park RUDE Beyond Belief!!

abbeythe 8th — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 21:38:44 GMT

@RinaRina

Maybe I missed it but why are you afraid for your dog?

How can a stranger make your dog participate in a dog orgy? How can someone tell you you cannot take a hike with your dog or your umbrella?

This dog park doesn't sound like a place I'd like to be.