I don't trust people who don't like dogs......

Every night when I get home from work and come in my front door, I'm greeted by my 7 year old golden retriever, Jake. No matter how horrible a day I've had, I am always cheered up when I see his sweet mug. He usually brings me something (his rope or a tennis ball) and then kind of goes in circles, wagging his tail like a wrecking ball, knocking over whatever is on the coffee table. He's also a big leaner and practically knocks me over while he leans into my legs, while I give him snuggles and smootches and talk to him like an idiot. This is pretty much the scenerio each and every day. It never ever gets old.

After we've said our greetings, it's time to throw on the Sauconys, grab a poop bag (not a bag of poop, mind you., but a plastic bag to pick up the huge turds he will deposit on the sidewalk), and head out for our nightly walk. Sometimes we just do a quick walk around the block, but lately, since the weather's been really nice, we've been taking longer walks, most nights walking up to downtown West Newton, past the movie theatre and all the shops/restaurants. On our walks, we pass lots of people. People walking home from the commuter train, people on their way to a movie or the Boston Sports Club on the corner to work out, or the liquor store, or CVS, or to pick up takeout at Shing Yee and Blue Ribbon. We pass joggers. We pass parents pushing kids in strollers. We pass people out walking their dogs too....Jakey's favorite is when we see his friend Owen. There are lots of folks out and about in my hood. That's one of the things I love about living here.

But, on more than one occasion, I've observed something. I noticed it again tonight. Whenever I pass someone on the sidewalk, I either smile or say hello. Every time. It's just friendly and neighborly and courteous. Most people will return the greeting. Some people even stop me because my dog is so handsome! But then, there are always a few assholes that either completely ignore me when I smile or speak to them, or will go ahead and make eye contact with me and then give me a grouchy puss. What the F? How hard is it to just smile back at someone. Does it really take that much effort to say a one syllable word? HI! Even if you don't like dogs (which I admit, I don't get, and am very skeptical of a person's character if he/she dislikes mutts), you don't have to be unfriendly and give me dirty looks. I have obviously shortened my dog's leash, have moved him to the opposite side of me, so that he is not in your path, and am carrying a pungent bag of shit so that you will not step in it and soil your shoes. I don't know if it's that you don't like my dog or if you think that I am a bad seed. Whatever it is, it's just uncalled for. Life is too short to be in such a bad mood........