Yesterday was a milestone i'd rather not remember. the day went off as always, with you following me, giving me model behaviour through the day and the evening. K was in bangalore and was to return later in the evening. Around 8 p.m after we'd both had our dinner, we went down for a potty break and a walk. you were already very excited cos there was dropped yogurt in the lift you wanted to lick and i didn't let you...a few other's got into the lift (they - building secretary, were terrified for no reason - pet hating assholes)...so why couldnt they wait for us to go down and use the lift later? they insisted on climbing in and i had to use all my strength to restrain you... you are used to being petted and so couldn't understand the hostility.
with the excitement and i think the urgency to pee, you peed in the corridor, in full view of the building association secretary and treasurer. I went to get the cloth i keep handy to clean up after you, in a fraction of a second, you escaped from my grip and ran toward the badminton court where a family was playing. every evening there is a group of kids who play with you at the badminton court, and for you this was no different. the kid of this family is a cantankerous one. she threw a shuttle cock at you and began to run, shrieking all the time in a high pitched voice. you thought it was fun and games and started to run behind her. i was chasing behind the both of you, asking both of you to stop. Kids being kids, they are more agile than 30 yr olds... and you being you, obliged. soon there was yelling and screaming and shrieking and about 10 odd poeple who were around in the parking lot/ badminton court/ lift area were all trying to catch you and you were delighted that so many people wanted to play. but quickly realised they were pissed off with you and not wanting to play. i think it broke your heart in that moment, and you lay down near the lift.
i apologised to the family whose kid you chased. there were 12 people pointing fingers at you and me and accusing me of letting loose on them a dangerous dog. i didnt want you or me to go thru any more than necessary nonsense, usually a quick and sincere apology is all that matters, so they got one...then i hugged you and told you i love you and that we should go walk....
It doesnt matter that she provoked you and threw stuff at you and then ran. it matters that you are a dog and a dog has to be well behaved, disciplined and trained at all times. no matter if you are just a baby, you still are a huge threat to anyone who even sets eyes upon you. have you noticed the number of people who shrink away when you are on a walk? even if you are paying no attention to them? or the number of people i have heard telling their kids "dont go there, that dog will bite" instantly instilling a morbid fear in the mind of the little child, who will grow up to be a stone throwing ass.
we went on our walk, you knew something was terribly off and were so subdued. when we returned i left you with the security guard to go and check if the kid was ok. I told the father that you'd escaped in a flash of a second from my hands, seeing that someone was playing as there are kids in the building who play with you everyday. that i wasnt making an excuse, but that it wasnt intentional and that you wouldnt hurt anyone. he brushed it off sdaying it was ok and that his daughter herself was wanting a dog. i also asked him to apologise to his wife on my behalf as she was (understandably) agitated and told me to keep the dog chained or locked up. i walked a few steps and encountered the lady in question. i told her the same thing, about the kids and the flash of a second reflex action. she then asked why you werent well trained. i wanted to ask her how trained her kids were at 5 months, but i held myself, explaining that you were still a puppy. she then said she was afraid you would bite. i empathised and said i knew just how terrifying it would be to be chased by a dog, and that you are docile and would not bite. i had to hear the snide comment of "all dog owners say that their dogs dont bite". i didnt want to argue or reason with someone who thinks that the mere sight of a dog is dangerous. i simply said i agreed with her and walked away with you.
you came back upstairs and wanted to sit in my lap. i knew you were upset....we comforted each other, as i was also roughed up a bit. i wish this would not have happened, but it was inevitable i guess.
i know its traumatic and terrifying to have a dog run after you. i am not denying that. i feel very guilty that my reflexes were not sharp enough to catch you. i've made a resolve to have you on a tighter leash and not try to make you make friends with hostile people.
I narrated this story to K when he got back from bangalore. he was furious at the people who thought you were dangerous....saying that some of the kids in the building are a bigger nuisance than you are! typical K, blinded by his love for you...but at the end of the day, i think we all needed that.
