to have lost my temper over the dog?

[justageek]

I just walked into town with the girls (3 nd 2) and my dog, i nipped into somerfield for all of five mins and oats the drama dog howled like someone was cutting her open. Everyone could hear her and were all, aah the poor dog, left all alone... blah blah.

I grit my teeth, and came out and got her then walked to the chairty shop and tied her up again. The shop was FULL of americans as one of the cruise liners had docked. Once again oats howled like a banshee and this american woman stood in front of me at the till started going on about how terrible it was that that 'poor' dog was beng left to howl by its cruel owner and some people dont deserve to have dogs...well if i did, i just lost it, call it pregnancy hormones, or whatever...

I tapped her on the shoulder, said, i would be that cruel owner you are talking about, i have been in here FIVE minutes, shes a bloody puppy what do you expect her to do, talk? dogs howl, thats how they communicate...now why dont you go get back on that ship in the dock and go back to america where arrogant thick people belong?

now i know that was wrong (the american part though i dont think i was wrong to have a go at her frankly!), and would actually go back and apologise for the american part of it, if i could, glad my girls werent near by enough to hear me as thats not setting a very good parenting example, but honestly it really really really annoys me that everyone seems to have an opinion on my dog and how cruel i am because it howls when left alone for ANY time at all?!

"Having a berky..." - Love it

I think it was probably unreasonable, and ironic, that you wigged out and called an American thick and arrogant whilst you're having a rant. They probably only wanted a Help The Aged tea towel or something.

agreed edam, i have only had her two weeks and tried very hard to avoid leaving her on her own at all, until i have gotten some advice on how best to deal with it. My dad wasnt much help his advice was to leave her outside in my garden to howl it out, until she stops. Sounds a bit too much like controlled crying in toddlers to me, breaking their spirit. I am hoping the dog forum people will have some better advice, as i really do not think its her fault and i reallyd o not get angry with her for it.

Yeah, but you are familiar with dogs, you can't expect other people to know what you do. And the dog was howling because she was unhappy - you should have explained she's a rescue dog and her previous owners were very unkind, we are doing our best to reassure her but there's a long way to go yet. Or something.

Yes, would be very mean to get cross with her when she's just reacting to very bad treatment in the past, poor thing.

lol TM7 the way i went on, i think it definately was a bit of the pot calling kettle black! I am just a harassed pregnant mother of two toddlers whom gets enough looks and comments for having so many kids when i look about 18, without the dog comments on top!

Bit of paranoia me thinks.

yes edam and normally i would, but i was already wound up at having to explain myself and herself in somerfield, without having to do it again in a shop 2 mins up the road.

And not that you should ever wind any tourists up...but next time you feel the need, pretend you are blind and tell them you are testing out the new "Sonar Dog" to combat the 'no dogs allowed rules' and could they please shut up as they are interfering with your directions

PMSL oh to be quick witted instead of just bad tempered! i will definately keep that in mind if i feel myself getting het up again!

bless her, i would not worry too much about what other people think tbh since they prob dont have a clue about dogs.
it is a good thing in a way that she does howl, that way you know she is still there! alot of dogs get stolen outside shops.