Yesterday I felt down in the dumps, and had a hard time shaking it. I was frustrated with Lula on our walk, and she didn't understand why. I ran into another man with walking his large Border Collie off leash. I asked him to get his dog. It walked towards me, away from the owner. I had my pepper spray in my hand, and a rod iron golf club, as well. I placed the club on the ground between the dog and I to create a boundary. "He's not going towards you, he's going towards your dog," the owner told me. He stood there, passively, watching. He made no attmpt to leash the dog.
With this virus, I definitely don't want any people or animals coming close to me or my dog. The man finally put the dog on the leash, but it was an exasperating experience. I guess in these times we are going to have to learn to deal with oppositional people who refuse to follow any rules. I lost my temper and he told me where I could put my golf club.
After doing yoga, working on my latest article, and knitting outside, I felt like my old self again. It is a challenge these days to remain calm and unaffected. Taking a walk is not what it used to be. I may start staying closer to home. It's not worth the aggravation. Lula loves to fetch a ball, anyway. She's happy to lay on the porch or deck with me outside. I spent some time yesterday afternoon looking at my photos from my vacation in Europe. They make me so happy. It was so incredible there. I loved being on the ship and visiting the ports. The people that I cruised with were wonderful. Travelers love travelers...
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It's good that you could recentre yourself after your frustrating experience with the other dog owner, Stephanie. Yoga and knitting are very calming.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
MegXx
They sure are, Meg. Today I took a swim in the lake and enjoyed basking in the warm sunshine.
DeleteI do not like it when unleashed dogs come over to see me and my leashed dog. He only weighs 14 pounds, so I hold my pepper spray. Good for you for being ready to protect yourself and your doggie.
ReplyDeleteI had my pepper spray in my hand, too, Terra. Fortunately, the dog was pretty mellow. He looked at me and listened to me. Next time I will walk the other way.
DeleteI totally understand your feelings. I have been tense and overly emotional lately. My husband and I went on a lovely bike ride the other day. The humidity finally abated a bit and it was a gorgeous day. We stopped at the local bike shop first to have a new tire put on my bike. The shop owner moved my seat when he changed the tire and we couldn't get it back to where I thought it should be, hubby got a little disgusted with me and I made myself miserable for 10 whole miles. When we stopped to turn around and go back, I burst into tears and cried for a good five minutes.
ReplyDeleteI'm frustrated and angry at people who don't want to comply with social distancing and mask wearing. A small town just a few miles from us is having a huge festival this weekend instead of cancelling like all the other events in our area. In the meantime, I haven't been able to see my mom since March because her assisted living is quarantined by the state. I feel terrible for all the people who have contracted the virus and for the families that have lost loved ones, but even those of us who are blessed are negatively impacted by the upheaval this has caused in our lives. It's just been a difficult year for all of us (and I think that's probably an understatement!)
I know how you feel, Bobi. I agree with you about the social distancing and mask wearing. I hope you are able to visit your mom soon.
DeleteI've been using the new format without much difficulty. I have always uploaded the photographs from my phone to the computer first, and then, posted on the blog; the new format lets me continue to do that.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you had to deal with that man and his off-leash dog. At least you were brave enough to say something! I wouldn't have even dared!
I don't think I have been more moody during the pandemic, but, I have felt very disheartened by the way some people have reacted. My fault; I should have known better.
Hi Bless, I upload my photos to my computer, too. I still wasn't able to access them. I will try it again, but I much prefer the old version. It is so easy to use.
DeleteMemories are wonderful! As for the dog and man owner...not too comforting that the dog is "just" going after your poor Lula! Pepper spray is good to have. The dogs that seem to attack are the ones whose owners say their dogs are so good and would never hurt another. Dogs are animals and they don't think, so we have to think for them and protect them. Good for you! I find it is getting annoying wearing a mask. And it seems to make us all "zombies" because no one can be friendly as we are hidden, plus it is hard to see down or around when out shopping etc! Sometimes freedom is more important than other things, such as fear. Andrea
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea. He didn't go after Lula, but he wanted to approach her and sniff her, which I don't want. The owner was not wearing a mask, and I will avoid him in the future.
DeleteI've gone back to the old version and will stay with it until I have no choice in the matter. All the blogs I read say the same thing and I think they've made a huge mistake this time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a rude man - I take it you didn't follow his 'kind' suggestion. :-)
xx
xx
That makes me feel better, Joy. I will send feedback on it. I love this version, and wish they would keep it. It's wonderful.
DeleteThe one thing I don't miss from when I had my dog is the behaviour of other dog owners. We encounter many dogs off-lead when up on the fells but most are impeccably behaved, much to my relief.
ReplyDeleteI think we're all experiencing ups and downs at the moment but your reaction, in this situation, was completely justified. X
Thanks Jules. Sometimes I don't take Lula if I'm concerned about encountering any dogs off leash.
DeleteI think I am grumpier than usual. We are all living on the edge at the moment. I try to keep busy and act as if everything is normal, but it is hard. Some days I just want to scream out loud to release some of the stress and tension I am feeling.
ReplyDeleteReminding myself to be content with all I have in life is what I am working on this week. So much to be thankful for. With all that is going on it is easy to forget the simple joys of life.
I hope you find a happy place for you and Lula to walk without interference from irresponsible people.
Take care of yourself Stephenie,
xTania
Well said, Tania. Lula and I had a great walk together today.
DeleteSo sorry to hear that you had a dark day Stephenie, and I understand why you want to keep your distance from others. I do too. He was not a nice man that you encountered. I bet you felt like taking a swipe at him with the club!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the new blogger. I've tried it and have had to go back to the old version, the new one is too frustrating .
Stay safe x
I feel the same way, Pensive Pensioner. The new blogger really frustrated me. It was so different and difficult to use. Normally I am fine with computer stuff, but I gave up this time. So glad we can still use the old version for now.
DeleteJust found your blog. You know how it goes looking around clicking here and there! I'll have to go back and read some of your older post.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to you walking your dog. I'm having the same problem with dogs off leash which scares me to no end. I live in a neighborhood that has seen many new people moving in and I swear they all have dogs! Drives me crazy many will not correct their dog and so its the same thing every time we meet!
I live in Canada where our Covid numbers are very low, but I am still taking all the precautions I can to stay healthy. Don't leave the house much and when I do I wear a mask and keep my distance. I do get down from time to time but I think that is normal in these times. Take care and stay safe
Jen (from Canada)
That's too bad, Jen. It's frightening to encounter dogs off leash. I didn't expect that in Canada. I guess it's everywhere. Thanks for reading and for commenting.
DeleteI am sorry you are feeling so moody these days. I fear our society will forget the normal niceties once things go back to "normal". Just between you, me and all your blogger readers(!)I am terrified of most dogs, especially dogs that come at me unleashed. I am not afraid of dogs I know though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anita. After Lula was attacked, it made me much for cautious around dogs. I am a dog lover, but not all dogs are friendly. I'm just not in the mood for a hassle with someone.
DeleteThat's quite disturbing regarding that man. Some people are so entitled and they make me nervous. In these times especially , stay safe. Where I live dogs must be on a leash if they are going for a walk with their owner - if found wandering alone, unfortunately they go to the pound, and it's expensive to get them out. I got rather moody during our lockdown, I live alone and had very little human contact. I was really worried about a few people close to me reagrding the virus. And I would add that I find the new google blogger thing so difficult.
ReplyDeleteThey're supposed to be on a leash here, too, swami. We have a leash law. Unfortunately, many people are refusing to follow any laws or rules now. I believe in karma, though. I hope we can figure out the new Blogger, although I much prefer the old one. It is so user-friendly.
DeleteYou have every right to be mad at that man. Lula has been attacked before and of course you are not going to trust a strange dog. Plus it is just rude. I find I am very moody lately with all that is going on it is hard to stay peaceful and positive. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mereknits. Fortunately this dog wasn't aggressive. I have been taking different routes at different times lately. If I see a dog now, I'm just going to take a different street.
DeleteHi Stephenie. I am sorry that you weren't feeling your usual chirpy self. Lockdown has actually made me so chilled and laid back that I am happy to continue living like this... minus the threat of a virus of course.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Cherie. Your garden is looking incredible. I am really enjoying my work and my garden. There are positives to every situation. I have also been having some fantastic phone conversations with close friends.
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