“Let him walk!”
The tanned, sports-attired man with matching girlfriend yelled out to me as I passed, pushing Oscar on his buggy, Nero in his chariot.
“I’m sorry?”
He doubled down.
“Let him walk!”
Yes. I was mildly irritated by this impertinent opening conversational gambit from a complete stranger who presumed to know all about my dog’s condition and our relationship from a cursory glance en passant.
It’s not the first time this has happened. Last week a woman passed by us on the promenade by the boats with her small child on a scooter and uttered a smiliar snap judgement, pronouncing it loudly and distinctly in the performative parenting style oh-so-familiar to those of us who have ever been in possession of a toddler. “What a lazy dog!” And a former classmate has wondered on FB what exactly is the point of having a dog if he’s only walked in a buggy.
What causes this unwillingness to put themselves in the position of the person they’re judging, I wonder? Could it be related to the lowest common denominator diet of dumbed-down drivel which people seem only too happy to be spoonfed in today’s world? Why don’t people make the slightest effort to think before they speak and, you know, see if they can work it out themselves?
I suppose it’s not these people’s fault if they lack the mental capacity and self-awareness to understand how extent of the self-own these comments display. Further, I’m willing to bet that I wouldn’t be on the receiving end of these comments if I were a huge, middle-aged Anglo man with his mask slung under his nose. People don’t seem to question their own motivations. Witness too the utter privilege of not for one moment considering that you might be mistaken. By contrast I would find myself paralysed with agonised, overthinking self-doubt lest I expose myself to rude dismissal.
I could just ignore, I know, but of course, being me, I can’t just ignore and every day’s a school day.
“Why do you think he’s in the buggy?” turned out to be a good conversation starter. I explained that, yes, he does walk but his old legs won’t take him very far and when he starts to exhaust himself and stumble, he can simply climb in, ride and enjoy the scenery.
It’s been such a good investment, this dog buggy, and I swear that being able to get out and about; see different things; make friends with people who don’t just stare and make hostile judgements silently or otherwise has enhanced Oscar’s quality of life immeasurably. If people want still want to make harsh and ignorant judgements, so be it. I’m just trying to do my best for a beloved family member.
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The more I learn of people the more I like dogs
My thoughts exactly
Good grief! Someone actually wondered on FB what exactly is the point of having a dog if he’s only walked in a buggy??!
I’m so glad that you’ve been able to enhance Oscar’s life with his buggy rides. Well done to you for standing up for Oscar and for making the effort to educate the tanned, sports-attired man and his matching girlfriend. Let’s hope these two at least learn to think before they speak in future.
Yep.
I’m optimistic for guy +gf; I continue to read classmate’s posts in disbelief.
The sheer insolence and ignorance of people.
I used to carry an ancient, beloved Maltese in a basket, so she could enjoy the fresh air. She was very frail and half-blind and soon tired when walking. But she still had a marvellous quality of life in other ways.
People would say “ oh ANOTHER handbag dog”. Fools … ignorant fools.
That is dreadful. What is wrong with some people? A lot.
Just before Christmas there was an afternoon where I really thought Oscar’s time had come. Now, through the love and care of three vet teams, and some from us, regular excursions out in the buggy, good food, he’s like his old self, just a little bit wobbly. As he approaches his 14th birthday, I want to do all I can to help him thrive and finally bring him home.
That makes me so mad. I just knew by the title what was going to ensue. As you say, I’d never in a million years feel it was my place to make such a thoughtless comment. 100% because you’re a woman, without a doubt. 💙💙for the boys x
Totally #sigh