To think the young folk in tracksuits with dogs get an unfair reputation at times?

[Ullena]

Since around here anyway I have noticed the following:

Their dogs are obedient and pleasant to encounter (no lunging, leaping up, attacking other dogs/humans etc)
Their dogs are incredibly healthy looking (glossy coats, lean and healthy weight, etc)
Their dogs recieve plenty of exercise and human interaction (appear to take them everywhere)
The owners are clean and smartly attired (compared to me, anyway)
The owners pick up after their dogs

As opposed to the entitled bint middle aged lady with the free roaming, free pooping, psychotic mop on legs that I met yesterday whilst walking Eldestdog (11, slowly deteriorating in all ways) on lead Having said mop attach itself to her grizzled old head was not something she needed in her twillight years. And that would be why it was hauled off her by the scruff of its snarly little neck.

Oddly, the young folks in tracksuits with their dogs have never given us such an issue. In fact one of them regularly walks dogs belonging to elderly neighbours, in addition to his own. AIBU to suggest we should appreciate the polite, responsible young folk and their dogs? As a fair few of them are well, just very fond of their dogs really and not up to anything bad at all.

YANBU to suggest we shouldn't judge people on how they dress but on how they behave

Anyone wearing a tracksuit, dog walking or not, deserves what they get

I almost miss the days when Eldestdog would have seen the offending mop off with a stern glance...now I have to step in for her Oh, and then pretty much carry her home too, whilst she shakes in my arms.

The "only being playful" phrase was used too, btw. Stupid irresponsible cowbag.

Considered demanding a duel but settled for reporting the name and licence tag details to local dog warden instead. Although doubtless the owner will simply deny everything, or say that they no longer have the dog, etc.

Am frankly stupefied that her dog has made it to adulthood without being eaten - can you imagine what a dog reactive dog would have done in response?

Was it Oscare Wild who opinioned "only a fool would not judge by appearance" (pre trackie and shell suit days ), i "m in the judge the book camp, and glower at owners who do not clean up after fiddo(like me glowering makes a diff>not)

Yes, it just got me thinking on how all the young types in tracksuits keep being labelled as thugs, etc, when really they are perfectly nice. I myself am now wary of well-to-do looking middle aged ladies with fluffy dogs and smart handbags. I must of course not allow this experience to colour my views, but still...

Eldestdog has recovered, btw. A bacon sandwich will do that, apparently. Vet says she is fine too, thankfully. She is currently sitting in the window awaiting DH's return from taking DSIL shopping for locusts.

Sounds as though you live near me. We've never had a moment's trouble from the young people with big slightly scary-looking dogs, but the snooty women with tiny ankle-biters are another story.

Especially the nit with the out-of-control pug who always bleats 'Oh, it's ok, she just loves children'. Maybe, but my children do not love being scratched up by your dog.