put your bloody dog on a lead

Usually I agree. I'm always giving my heart. Cutting it open; slicing a piece off. Take it - I don't need it - let me listen to you - let me help you - let me look after you - especially if you're a scumbag.

But I did the opposite today.

I gave a piece of my mind to a Provincial Dog Owner in my Provincial Town, while we were out having picnic in our local park.

'Is that your dog?', I asked. 'Put him on a lead right now. My daughter was bitten by a dog the other week* and your dog is roaming around scaring little children'.

'Oh, I can control him from here!' she said stuffily, pointing at a distance of 100ft or more.

'I don't think so,' I said. 'If he were to bite someone right now, what exactly would you do? And have
you heard about the new laws on dog owners going to jail if their dogs kill children? Incidentally, can you be sure he is not defecating, from that distance?'

And so we continued for a few minutes. Maybe I was a bit harsh, but the dog, although small and probably harmless, was panting, crazed, and roaming around making children leap into their parents' arms (mine included).

So she put the dog on the lead in the end, scowling at me and telling me we'd be better off having a picnic in a park where there were no dogs (as if we could find one). I told her we both knew she was wrong, and she'd better apologise, but she didn't; nevertheless the encounter left me strangely energised. I had protected my babies; I had fought a battle and at least not lost. I had engaged with Provincial Dog Owner and at least not lost the battle.

Giving a piece of your mind is sometimes much more satisfying.

 *note to reader - it was not severe and she was under her father's care at the time - not that it was his fault either - I blame the dog owner ;). He did then prevent me from speaking to the medical staff treating my daughter which has led to a huge fall out, but that's another story.