That went well - NOT!! (long again - but need to vent (and have a stiff drink!))
So I went to the park, with my friend Hilda and her sharpei (who's also been branded vicious) and Frank with Nadia, the most beautify Vizla (sp?), who's just turned one. I very politely and calmly approached the 'expert', who was standing with another of the Queen's entourage and held out the copy of the section about Tug of War from The Culture Clash. I very politely said, "thank you for you opinion on tug of war. I happen to base my opinion on this book, which is one of many I've read. If you are going to give opinions and tell people you are an expert, you may want to widen your scope of reading materials to include other opinions. I am not, as you implied, ignorant and trying to promote a dangerous dog. My dog is very well socialized, plays rough but well and is, above all, a dog."
She wouldn't even take the article. She would not be persuaded that I was anything but ignorant on dogs. Her dog is three times national obedience championship (or something, who cares) and so she is an expert and tug is not something you should ever play with your dog. At this point also, her friend says to a woman passing by with her baby, "you'd better watch those two dogs (points to Mason and Wrinkles (the Sharpei)), they are very dangerous and will attack!! I was stunned. Thankfully I know the woman with the baby and she knows Mason and knows the truth. She said "hey, you want to see vicious - I have an 8 year unsocialized rottweiler - now SHE has issues"!
I have to say I'm not proud of how I totally lost it at that point. I stated very loudly and with quite a few profanities that how dare they start telling people my dog is dangerous, when he clearly isn't. How dare they pass judgement and condemn for no reason and maybe they should muzzle themselves. The friend told me to watch my language and I told her she was not my mother so to 'go away rudely'! My friend Frank then spent 20 minutes trying to point out that I was one of the most responsible dog owners - my dog was still in training, I was constantly paying attention and working with him (Mason during this time was a dream - coming whenever I called and playing so sweetly with Nadia and Wrinkles!). She still would not have it and said she was probably going to have to call the police in the near future when my dog attacked someone!
At this point a group of children walked through the park. Mason and Wrinkles (as usual I might add) ignored them. Nadia, being the one year old that she is, barked at one, who cringed. The friend said loudly "see, vicious!!"
I will not take Mason back to that park as I would never put in him a position of jeapardy. Should he ever be attacked by another dog (which has happened), it will be assumed it is his fault. I may let him walk through there if no one is around and I probably won't pick up after him!!!
Thankfully I have a group of friends who all have 'real dogs' and all adore Mason for his rambunctious play and his personality. In fact, they often seek me out as Mason is one of the few dogs guaranteed to wear another dog out with running and playing.
Honestly, I am stunned and shocked at the hostility and ignorance. I didn't sleep much last night, I was so angry - and still am.
Hmm - Xenaprincess - I just reread your post - I like the idea of a boxer tug of war tournament in the park!!
Thanks to you all for your support. We boxers owners are so lucky to have, know and understand this special breed. I love all dogs, but this one is truly the most amazing. If I had a perfectly obedient "national champion", I'd be bored with him by now - the one at the park just got to lie at his owners feet and occasionally chase the ball - he never plays with other dogs and, in my view, doesn't have nearly as much fun as Mason and his buddies!
OK, enough venting - I could go on all day!
Thank you all again for listening!!
Sandra and the wonderfully 'vicious' Mason (slurp, slurp, kiss, kiss!)
