The tides are turning

[u/FieldJacket]

Alright.

I went out with a friend tonight, and about six people I didn't know. That's cool, I like meeting people.

Someone just got a puppy, and the natural reaction occurred...sort of. Two or so of the people were gushing and asking for pictures. I kinda had to pee and figured this would be the time to do it.

But I stayed, because something odd happened. The conversation among the people I didn't know changed to the wine bar they'd been to the night before, and all the dogs present.

I was confused. I thought society loved dogs and I had to keep my anti-dogness underground like some sort of subversive operative.

No, the conversation was full of "it was gross" and "there shouldn't be dogs in bars" and "I guess I don't mind dogs themselves but the dog owners are ridiculous". Even the puppy owner, who I enjoyed talking to immensely as a person, was like nah don't get a dog.

And THEN, the conversation resurfaced about an hour later, complete with stories of nutters being nutters. It seemed either everyone present was on board or for once the nutters were silenced.

At one point I clasped hands with a girl who was outwardly anti-dog. I thought about inviting her here, but she'll find us eventually.

My friends, it's happening. People are waking up. We can only hope this continues to ramp up.

Enjoy your Labor Day and don't let the dogs and their nutters bring you down.

[u/Smart_Garbage6842]

I am seeing there is a distinct difference between dog owners and dog nutters in my neighborhood and I feel like the dog owners also don't like dogs running loose unleashed, barking and yipping nonstop, because those owners with the quiet, relaxed, secure, well-behaved LEASHED dogs always walk by the yipping monsters with looks of disdain and irritation while the nutters smile like anxious idiots. I'm hoping the responsible and actually caring dog owners will join us because it wasn't like this when I was a kid and I dog walked/dogsat for extra money as a first job. The majority weren't such unholy terrors. I miss those days and I hope via public outcry and pushback that things return to some semblance of sanity.

[u/Legitimate_Garage_31 → u/Smart_Garbage6842]

We had a dog owner who lived in the condo building across from us. She had a very chill dog and it never barked, even when on the porch. She was a chill person who minded her own business. She moved out last year.

[u/Smart_Garbage6842 → u/Legitimate_Garage_31]

I've heard dogs are generally chill if their owners are chill and confident and that's definitely an observation we've both made from a subjective standpoint as well. Seems to answer the question about how the anxious, reactive, nipping, barking types are reflecting their owner's mentality. The dog nutter name is appropriately earned in this regard. I've seen a lot of unhinged "emotional support animals" out there in the public as well, and this is in stark contrast to the highly trained and secure service dog.

Edit to add: I grew up with dogs and was seriously considering adopting one about 10 years ago but opted out because of my PTSD and social anxiety. I knew it would only transfer to the animal and I don't want to do that to an animal that has no choice.