This could easily be a diatribe about judgement. Lord knows I have a lot to learn about loving people.
I finished putting Ritter in his crate in the bed of the truck and put the groceries in the back seat. I returned the cart, was about to get in, and heard a voice behind me.
“Poor Fucking Dog!” The disdain in the woman’s tone was overwhelming.
I’ve been labeled confrontational my entire adult life. I’ve been good about suppressing the aggression in most circumstances, but not always. I don’t like being shot at, physically or verbally. So, when a random woman dropped a mental grenade and tried to just walk away, I engaged the target.
I turned to see who it was. The woman gave me the filthiest of looks and I was genuinely taken off guard. My mind gained traction and I felt inclined to see if she would be willing to discuss her opinion.
“If you have something to say, please say it to my face.” No response given, no slowing of walk, not even a slight head turn. I made another attempt but there was zero response- she was a verbal terrorist.
Why do we unleash our unsolicited opinions on others?
Let’s acknowledge that dogs are different than humans and apply the so called “Platium Rule.” -Treat others as THEY want to be treated.
Dogs don’t want to be treated like humans, they want to be dogs. If one studies dogs and realizes how they operate, their needs, instincts, etc then they will hopefully see that:
- Dogs need purpose. Ritter is a service dog. He goes with me almost everywhere. He reminds me of things, watches out for me, communicates to others on an unconscious level, provides visual feedback of my mental state and allows me to focus and become more productive.
- Dogs like dens.
https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/dog-dens
The woman passing obscene judgement on me missed the reality of Ritter’s situation. He was with me in the grocery store, protecting me, keeping me on task, bringing me hope, peace, clarity, happiness, and providing a sense of well being to a majority of people that observed him. I’m sorry to those that are afraid of dogs but not that sorry. Would you prefer that I open carry a pistol and walk about with a menacing look on my face everywhere I go? I think we can agree the dog is a more socially acceptable option.
So what is the quality of life for my poor f-ing dog? I would wager he eats healthier than the morbidly obese woman that was hurling obscenities at me. He eats only raw meat which I source in the most natural ways I can. He’s well loved, well groomed, well trained, and his safety is paramount. As my teammate, I’m just as concerned about him as he is for me.
Riding in a vehicle is dangerous for all occupants, regardless of species. Gunner Kennels is leading the way in safe transport for dogs. Roto-molded construction is strong, keeps the inside cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. The crate is strapped down in the back of my truck and far safer than having Ritter in a harness, buckled into the backseat. There is a ton of airflow but I also have the all-weather kit to keep out rain and hold in heat on the cooler days. I have the fan bolted to the ventilated door to keep him cool when it’s hot.
Gunner Kennels are made in the USA! They support Veterans and First Responders and graciously donated a kennel to me when I got Ritter from Baden K-9 last year. I was happy to purchase the accessories for the kennel to improve his travel experience. I have a renewed sense of gratitude to these organizations that have selflessly improved my quality of life.
I’m sitting outside while writing this, enjoying a beautiful day. The cool breeze ruffles the leaves of the centuries old maple tree that shades me. Ritter’s chest rises and falls peacefully as he lays near my feet, occasionally looking up to investigate movement or sound. So much adventure to be had in this rich life we live together.
P.J. Hughes
May 17, 2020 18:16Well said my friend..Most people are not “dog” people and they really do not understand your partner.
Even more are just stupid,,, not ignorant,,, just plain stupid. This woman had no idea what she was talking about and ran her mouth in order to prove her point.
Easier said then done,,, however,,, please don’t let stupid people pull your chain Marine.. Your partner, family, & friends know that you take care of your buddy than you do yourself.
Just another stupid civilian… “F ” it and roll on.
Drew
May 17, 2020 21:02I don’t let people light my fuse normally. If they were attacking me personally it would likely be a non-issue. This woman was attacking me as a provider/protector/team leader. I can not abide such behavior. I have grown over the last few years and stopped arguing with stupid. I generally form an intelligent response and then will not respond to any further comment. I do not go quietly into the night, but I also won’t throw my pearls before swine.
agoh7872
May 17, 2020 18:04So was she upset because the dog was crated? I thought at first you had left Ritter unattended in a hot car which would have been something to deal with. Dealing with verbal terrorists is hard for sure. You have probably come a long way in controlling your response which is commendable. Is there a certain criteria to getting a service animal for PTSD?
Chris
Drew
May 17, 2020 20:54Organizations have different requirements to obtain a dog. Generally, the more reputable the organization, the more difficult to get a dog and the longer the wait. But, you get what you wait/pay for. Some organizations do charge but they should be vetted extensively before signing a contract. I applied to a US based organization and had to do an application to GET an application. Then the application was massive, required significant medical documentation, and video questions answered. Then they preform a series of phone interviews after reviewing the application. It was a very arduous process. After 12 months on the waiting list they asked if I still wanted a dog. When we were approaching 18 months of waiting they requested that I redo my paperwork.
In a future post I may go more into obtaining Ritter. Obviously I didn’t go with that first organization…
“Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.”
https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm