The Grumpy Dog Issues Lady

Ok, first let me point out that I like dogs. I grew up with dogs. I've owned dogs. My dad bred dogs when I was a kid.

Dogs are fun, and good to have around especially when you have kids. Sometimes people just need someone to listen and have no fear of it getting around :) Can you tell I was a kid that used to go outside, sit by my dog, put my arm around her and blahblahblah and sometimes bawl... cause really? That dog ain't going to judge you no matter how much of an irrational teenager you are! And it sure as heck isn't going to tell that really cute boy that you are desperately in love with him.

Anywho, as I was walking around my neighborhood yesterday searching out parents of the little punks that were picking on Goober... I noticed a LOAD of dogs. Some small, some big. Mostly nice dogs. Very few confined. One dog ran up to me, sniffed me out and wagged his tail. If EB had been with me he would have been TERRIFIED.

I continued on my way and proceeded to go in my front door, blocking aforementioned dog from coming in with me (he seemed set on it). After a few minutes I heard scratching on my front door. So I headed back outside to see if this dog had tags... mainly cause I really am not fond of having my door scratched up by a random dog.

Low and behold he had a tag. Yay! Hammer was his name (who names their dog that?!) and he was a sweet dog, but from about three blocks away. I called the phone number on his tag and got a voicemail. So I decided to walk him home... hoping for a fence or something to keep him there.

There wasn't a fence, but a chain in the front so I tied him up and went on my way back home. Kind put out that it was left to me to take care of someone elses dog.

Later I got a call from the lady of the house saying thanks for bringing him back and that she had just let him out to "do his duty" and that he usually wanders off, but comes back after a while. I replied that I was glad he had a tag so I would know where to take him. Her reply? He had been picked up by animal control a couple of times and so they decided to get him a tag.

Now, here's what I don't understand. Having been a dog owner myself I understand that sometimes a dog will escape, sometimes they run off when you are cleaning the car in the driveway and let them out while you are outside. What I really don't get is if a dog has been picked up by the animal control more than once, shouldn't that be an indication that they shouldn't be running around loose? While I'm glad they got a tag for the dog, many people wouldn't bother to look for one and would instead just call animal control.

I know that people think their dogs are sweet and not bothering anyone. I know that. I don't have a problem with how nice or not nice their dog is (which sometimes totally changes when their owners aren't around). I have a problem with the fact that my youngest son is scared spitless by cats.... let alone DOGS... which are usually bigger (and whom, I might add, might not be current on their shots and might actually be a danger to my children).

Then there is the whole dog doo on your lawn thing. I know dog owners don't think it's that big of a deal... it is after all a lot less than what they clean up on a weekly basis. Thing is, I don't know it's there before me or one of my kids step in it... and then I get to do that whole, scrape the crap off the bottom of the shoe with a toothpick thing. And that is besides the fact that this is one of the main reasons I don't currently own a dog.

Now, I don't want to be a pain in my neighbors butts. I don't want to complain to them, mainly because they are nice people and generally law abiding ...besides there are already laws about having your dogs loose. Shouldn't that be enough? If you have a dog. Get a fence. Then you won't have to feel bad about the dog not being able to run around a bit, then you won't have to make sure they don't run off when you let them out to relieve themselves. I now fences are pricey. I know! I've put one in myself. But if a fence is too much, isn't a dog too much?

I just don't get it I guess.

I Hate Being The Butthead Parent

So today Goober went out to the bus stop.

Oh, the dreaded bus stop.

If you remember there are three kids that insist on teasing Goober while they wait. Goober has done a pretty good job of ignoring them so far, but it does bug him. He tells me about it. And for a six year old to remember to tell me about it when he gets home from school, after seven hours of other stuff, says something to me.

Today I simply stood at the door and watched the kids at the bus stop. The ones that are being little turds noticed and started making actions etc towards me with loads of attitude. Goober ran over to me as I went out and got the mail and told me "mom, those are the kids that call me ______"

I simply walked over to the bus stop, looked at them and said I would be finding out who their parents are. (They have, after all been warned by Jer a couple of weeks ago) And I promptly turned around and started walking.

I'm pretty sure I ruffled them, since they started to yell to me "for what?!" (my reply was "you know what.") and other flustered "I know I'm in trouble" type things.

I hate being the parent kids hate. I don't want to talk to parents.

I want to move, if only to get my son away from these bullies. Honestly, I know it could be worse, they could tease him throughout the day, but it still pisses me off.

Cold Day At The Park

Jer joined an indoor soccer league recently, which of course means that he needs to practice his soccer skillz with some guys outside in the cold on a Saturday morning. lol I took the kids and hoped we wouldn't get frostbite.

The kids seems to have fun though! We walked around the park a couple of times, watched Jer play for a bit, played on the playground (and got wet bums from the wet slides), and rolled down the hill. :)

Probably the last trip to the park outside of sledding this year though.

Dad's Doing His Job!

Riling up the kids before bed!
(if you can't tell he is using EB to bounce on Missy, making her laugh so hard she can barely breathe)

Happy Halloween!

Iron man using his flight stabilizers!

Ooooooh Sad Puppy!

This was EB tonight. We went
Trick-or-treating at Jer's work this evening and
he did NOT like his little hat with the puppy ears on it.
Actually, he didn't like the costume at all and
any time he was reminded he was wearing it he
would try to pull it off.
But he was so darned cute in it....
I had to get a picture, even if he was a bit distraught.
Awwwww, poor kid.

Of hairspray and bathtub rings...

All of my kids loved the hairspray even if all of them aren't huge fans of taking baths. I guess it was worth it to them though... they all want it again today! ... guess I won't be scrubbing that ring out of the tub till AFTER halloween.