The other day, Dagny and I were out for one of our many walks around the neighborhood and came across a little unleashed dog in the middle of the road who seemed to be alone. As we crossed a busy street to get closer to this dog on a nearby side street, I realized he was walking briskly right into the path of an oncoming bus that was barreling down the avenue. I scrambled trying to think how I can best get him out of harm’s way right when a voice called, “Fifi!! Come!” from behind one of the vehicles on the side street. Crisis averted, I thought. Sort of…
What happened next?? GO!
Keeping your dog safe
A loose dog roaming around isn’t a rarity in France. In fact, I probably see this two or three times a week! And although it bothers me (hello people — there are things called CARS and kidnappers not to mention all sorts of other trouble a dog can get into on his own), I try to focus on keeping my dog safe because that’s within my control. I can’t save the world. But we do have an obligation to our pets to protect them and train them and make sure they are out of harm’s way. Anyway, when I see a random dog walking toward a busy road, of course I will do whatever I can to make sure everyone’s safe.
So back to the story….
When this man, who seemed to be cleaning out his garage with his wife, called his dog back onto his property, I wrongly assumed he’d leash the dog up or put him inside. Anyway, I told him his dog almost got hit by a bus but he was too busy cleaning his garage with his wife to really care. So we continued on our way and about three seconds later, the dog reappeared from his garage and crossed the side street (didn’t look both ways first, since dogs often don’t) toward us.
He seemed friendly enough at first and started sniffing Dagny but while emitting a low growl.
The man came out from behind his van again and called the dog but it made no difference because this dog was in the middle of a growling sniff fest. The owner didn’t seem all that bothered, but I didn’t like this situation at all so I went down to pick Dagny up so we could move along. In that moment, the dog lunged at Dagny and bit her butt three times. Before this could escalate, I raised my voice at the dog and said, “YOU DO NOT BITE MY DOG. GET OUT OF HERE!”
I picked up Dagny and my heart was racing. We were both shaken. Luckily, the dog’s bites seemed to be just nips and nothing serious but I was annoyed. I comforted Dagny hoping the owner would utter some sort of apology and at least put a leash on his dog. But no such luck.
Instead, the man said very nonchalantly from across the street, “Oh, it’s nothing. She’s fine. Fifi, come on!” I responded, “No sir, it’s not fine. Your dog bit my dog.”
This pic I took of Dagny sleeping has nothing to do with the story. Just melts my heart though.
He brushed me off and I figured before any heated words are exchanged, I’d best be on my way. So Dagny and I continued on — her tail wagging (a good sign). And then once I had a second to clear my head, I looked back at the house (dog was still roaming around) and realized….. wait for it… it was Tom’s boss’s house.
The man was Tom’s boss’s husband and his boss was the woman in the garage who had taken the day off. Dammit.
Out of all the people I could have gotten into an altercation with, it was Tom’s boss’s family. Of course it was.
Now normally, I wouldn’t care what was said because I did nothing wrong at all. In fact, my response was pretty tame and things could have been, much, much worse. Besides, we’d never met, so how would they know it’s me? Oh yea, we’re in France and I’m the only one in the area whose accent is NOT North African. His boss is no dummy so I’m sure she could put two and two together — she knows we live in the neighborhood.
Thankfully, we got off easy. The dog could have seriously injured Dagny or gotten hit by the bus. I could have said a lot more than I did. But I kept my cool except for yelling at the dog (in an effort to protect my own). And so far, the boss hasn’t mentioned this at work. And Tom still has his job… hoping it stays that way!
Ever have an altercation with a neighbor over their dog?
Poor Dagny ! I have been lucky and have not been in an altercation with a neighbor over their dog. Now, when walking my dog I have met some other people walking an aggressive dog. It’s alarming and I am thinking I should carry a spray of some sort to stop an attack on my dog or me.
A Jack Russell Terrier bit my Westie on the tush too a few years ago. I didn’t see any blood in the white fur, but I discovered a scabbed over bite mark a few days later. Ever since, I now walk with a 3 iron golf club just to be safe. Glad Dagny wasn’t badly hurt, but It is still traumatic.
Oh man I just laughed out loud at the 3 iron golf club part. That’s terrible but I’m sure it’s effective! Anything to protect our dogs!
Ohhh your poor pup. Never mind about the Boss, you were fine.
Now as for that unleashed mutt, sounds like it has a short life span with those terrible owners. How sad,
What a weird situation all around! At least it seems like everything is fine, though.
oh yes I’ve had altercations. My dog is a terrier mix. And he was a stray that we rescued. So, he hates big dogs and HATES pit bulls. It’s a little better if these dogs are on a leash. Because then at least, I can kneel down and greet these big dogs so that my own dog knows they are friendly.
But dogs who aren’t leashed are a problem. And I was walking my dog in a neighborhood park one afternoon and this pit bull just charged him. I picked up my dog, but two other giant dogs came rushing at him and I couldn’t move because these dogs were jumping on me trying to sniff (or play or bite) my dog who was now at about my chest height.
The dog’s owners finally came over and subdued their dogs. I was noticeably pissed, so I said a: “jesus christ” (it could have been worse and I could have cursed a lot more). And wouldn’t you know, the pit bull owner said: “actually, his name is Romeo.”
I’ve seen his dog before. That pit bull has run out into oncoming cars. He’s a pain and he really needs to be disciplined, especially because he’s a pit bull (and people are scared of them and this is a “bully” breed). That poor dog is going to end up being put down one day, and all because his owner is an idiot. I feel sorry for it.
That’s really a shame. Dogs are only as good as their owners and if this lazy guy who can’t even leash up his dog can’t see how it’s for his dog’s protection, well he really is an idiot. Poor thing. Glad your dog was OK. That’s so scary!
Oh no that is terrible, both that Dagny got bitten and that the dog belonged to Tom’s boss. It is such a pity some French people have such a lax attitude towards their dogs, their safety and their behaviour. I saw 2 dogs loose on the road when driving from the next village to here today, no more than 5kms.
Thank you for adding this canine tale to #AnimalTales