This was said to me this morning by a woman who we have joined up with in pack walks at our usual spot multiple times. I’m starting to get the feeling that it physically pains her to see Dudley out walking with other dogs. She knows the whole adoption story, that he was at the rescue for 2 years because no one wanted to adopt a 3 legged dog, that we do acupuncture once a month and yet she still is concerned about Dudley walking. It is just the oddest thing to be shamed for having my dog interact with other dogs when he has a “disability”.
I’m sure that many of the community have experienced the same type of interactions. Ironically the last time we all walked together, she commented on how happy Dudley is. I have decided that the next time she expresses her concern, I will just respond with “Why?” She’s a nice enough person but I joined up with her little dog clique because of a friend who walks with the group. Dudley will slow down when we are heading back to the parking lot and sometimes he takes a break but he’s fine. He isn’t in pain and the other dogs don’t pick on him.
I almost want to say to her, “I worry about your dog when he’s down running on the mud flats and not responding to your dog whistle. Or when you panic if another dog gets too close to your expensive lagatto romagnolo.” It’s one of those things that I just have to shake off, because Dudley loves walking with this particular group of dogs. We had just gotten past the bully breed stigma and now we have to deal with the tripawd stigma. It’s almost like I shouldn’t be bringing him out in public…which just made me chuckle to myself. Since I am as stubborn as my dog, I will just continue to parade him around until those who doubt he should be out walking change their minds…or don’t. Dudley isn’t a delicate flower who will wilt 🙂
She sounds like a condescending bitch. “why?” is the perfect response.
I was totally blindsided…and started to feel more irritated after we had left. It was just so passive-aggressive and with those type of comments, I tend to take some time to come up with the appropriate response if it happens again. After she said it, I responded with “he’s totally fine. He will take a break if he’s tired” I had to deal with some of the same issues when I would walk my 110 lb GSD out there. Kota loved to join up with the pack and would throw a massive fit when we would have to leave. He had a huge booming bark and I would literally have to drag him away from the other dogs, like a toddler at a water park. It is so irritating to have to deal with “oh, he looks like he’s got some pitbull in him. He must be dangerous but wait, he’s got 3 legs so he is an invalid.” The funny thing is that people don’t notice his missing leg until after he’s come up to them. The dogs don’t treat him differently. If they are trying to assert their dominance, it’s because they are dogs…not because he’s missing a leg. Fortunately the area is so gorgeous and Dudley loves seeing dogs and people that I am willing to overlook the vapid comments. And there are plenty of awesome people we’ve met to walk with. I may just start mentioning my GoFundMe for his prosthetic leg to those who choose to continue to “pity” him. That will stop any future comments from happening 😉
I’m also not good with coming up with an on the spot response. I’ve been fortunate thst I haven’t encountered much prejudice with my tripawd – usually people have questions and want to pet her. Being petted by a new person is her favorite thing, so it works well.
Where did you find a full rear prosthetic? I had given up looking. Everything I’ve seen for a rear leg is basically a paw only.
Oh!!! I have no prosthetic leg in the works for Dudley 🙂 That’s just my snarky scorpio humor coming through…When his mobility becomes an issue down the road, I will get a stroller for him. I do think I am going to use the GOFUNDME comment for serious offenders though…people tend to keep their opinions to themselves when you start asking for things, ha ha! And I would make sure to explain that a full rear prosthetic isn’t really an option for him.
Oh – hah! I have a stroller for Loki and it’s fantastic. She is a difficult dog to leash walk because her prey drive is ridiculously high. Last summer I thought she was going to break my arm t trying to get to a bunny. She’ll still bark and squirm at prey from the stroller but I can rush her out of sight faster since I’m not fighting her. I’m pretty sure my neighbors think I’m a little crazy lol. She’s also dog reactive in our neighborhood, but much less so when we’re out and about further from home. I don’t really understand that.
LOL I love the Go Fund Me comment idea! That’s awesome.
Yes, we have had our share of comments about all of our special dogs. Our response: “Don’t feel sorry for him/her, they’re not feeling sorry for themselves!” People say things they would never say to a person with a disability (at least I would hope they don’t, you never know).
I agree that “why?” is the perfect response to that nosy woman. It’s your chance to educate her.
What the heck is a “lagatto romagnolo”?
a lagatto romagnolo is a really expensive dog who has to be imported:) https://www.dogbreedslist.info/all-dog-breeds/lagotto-romagnolo.html
And you are so right about the comments…as Mischief was saying, prosthetics for full amputations aren’t readily available. I was reading the article on the site about partial vs full amputations and it seems that partials are done with the plan of having a prosthetic in the future. I choose to be questionably sarcastic with my responses to the comments that are unnecessary instead of saying “So you think he’d be better off dead rather than have 3 legs?”
It’s just frustrating (and I know we all have experienced this at some point) to see an animal that is happy and thriving being questioned about their quality of life. I’m more worried about this current itchy red paw and hot spot on his groin than I am about his 3 legs 😉
I’ve been catching up on Dudley’s blogs and have loved every single picture of him. Every one. Well, I have to admit, when I saw the “porcupine ” title on a blog I at first thought they were porcupine needles and not acupuncture!!!
I so loved the beautiful story of how you kept the harness and Angel Koda guided you to the perfect recipient for it. What are the odds of you keeping it and then coming across a dog named Koda who loved wearing it?
I remember one person who responded when someone said, “Your dog has three legs!” And he exclaimed, ” oh my gosh!!! I hadn’t noticed!!! I wonder whenever that other leg fell off! I’ve gotta’ go look for it!”
Wonder of that uninformed woman would go up to a War Veteran Amputee and say how it pains her to see him out having a good time with family and friends.
Remember, Dudley could care less about what a hooman thinks about his tripawd hop. He’s proud of himself and knows he’s handsome and loved and that’s all he cares about!!
Thanks for these wonderful pictures of Dudley
I love the one of him walking through the round sunny spots on the ground peeking out through the shade
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
awwww!!! Dudley is so photogenic and has a very expressive face <3 When he gets acupuncture, I always call him my porcupine. I like the fact that he is comfortable enough with me that he can grumble and be grouchy when I intrude on his bed. He is a perfect angel at the vet for claw trimmings but gives me grief. Fortunately, my GSD was like doing the tango with an alligator when it came to claw trimming so I don't take offense at a few growls. Dudley and I are in the teenager/Mom stage right now. He tolerates me, adores me and does the "Mom, Gawd" at times. He is such a happy social dog with both people and other dogs, it really amazes me and is a credit to all who were involved in his care after they got him off the streets.