I Confess, I was rude.

[DawnCt1]

Even my husband was shocked! I am never intentionally rude, even when people are rude to me but then I have never been asked such a question before. DH, Connor and I were walking into Pet Smart about an hour ago. A woman was leaving with a dog. We were a couple of feet past her and she shouts out,"He's not fixed"?!! I said no, although I thought it was a funny thing for someone to notice. She said, "Would you consider breeding him with...., I didn't even wait for her to finish her sentence, and just said, "Never" and walked into the store.
I guess I am taking my job as Connor's "foster mother" seriously. Connor doesn't belong to me. He belongs to my friend who is a breeder, who is also a very reputable veterinarian, and takes her responsibility as a vet and as a breeder very seriously. She has his eyes checked annually by a veterinarian opthalmologist. She just skin biopsies yearly, He has blood work annually, he has had his hips checked, etc. She is really opposed to designer breeds and I guess I have heard her say it enough that it was an automatic response for me. I felt so bad when I left that I called her up. She said she was proud of me. I guess she will let me keep Connor.

 

[LuvOrlando]

i don't think you were rude. I would have been shocked to learn someone was checking out my pets package like that and would have taken the uninvited advances as startling too. Who on earth looks? Yikes and Ewwww!

I wonder, maybe you might have been kinder if she didn't first remark how your dog wasn't fixed. That would have totally caught me off guard too and who knows what would have tumbled out of my mouth, I think you used restraint, I probably would not have. Again Yikes and Ewwww!

 

[DawnCt1]

i don't think you were rude. I would have been shocked to learn someone was checking out my pets package like that and would have taken the uninvited advances as startling too. Who on earth looks? Yikes and Ewwww!

I wonder, maybe you might have been kinder if she didn't first remark how your dog wasn't fixed. That would have totally caught me off guard too and who knows what would have tumbled out of my mouth. Again Yikes and Ewwww!

I was totally off guard with that one. The fact of the matter is, I have absolutely no say over who he mates with and I would never do it, no matter what they offered me and even if it were the perfect dog. It would be the same as stealing.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would think "no" or "I don't own him" or I don't have the right to breed him" would have been nicer to say. "Never" is pretty harsh.

My mom had a lease situation with her first malamute, and she almost certainly would have told the whole truth "I don't have the right to breed him" if asked. However, you were already, it seems from your other post, having a weird day at the pet-stuff store, and maybe you were on edge already.

 

[wilderness01]

I don't think you were rude either. You ended a conversation quickly that is all.

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

I would never be quick enough with a response, but too bad you couldn't have said "Oh, is he broken?"

 

[monkeyboy]

Not what I thought but...

 

[DawnCt1]

I would think "no" or "I don't own him" or I don't have the right to breed him" would have been nicer to say. "Never" is pretty harsh.

My mom had a lease situation with her first malamute, and she almost certainly would have told the whole truth "I don't have the right to breed him" if asked. However, you were already, it seems from your other post, having a weird day at the pet-stuff store, and maybe you were on edge already.

A "No thank you" would have been fine. She didn't need an explanation. I think my "Never" could have translated into "your dog is not cute, nice, correct, etc, etc". All dogs are cute.

 

[DawnCt1]

I would never be quick enough with a response, but too bad you couldn't have said "Oh, is he broken?"

 

[Mimi1965]

Wowser-that trip to PetSmart really got some thread ideas today

 

[DawnCt1]

Wowser-that trip to PetSmart really got some thread ideas today

It was literally a 5 minute, pick up the dog food trip, in and out. Who knew?!

 

[Buckalew11]

"Never" implies to me something like, "over my dead body", lol or as you say not with your ugly dog. So, a bit rude, but I'm sure it felt good to say it as you kept walking by. Saying "never" when I have has felt awfully good to me.

 

[DawnCt1]

"Never" implies to me something like, "over my dead body", lol or as you say not with your ugly dog. So, a bit rude, but I'm sure it felt good to say it as you kept walking by. Saying "never" when I have has felt awfully good to me.

No, I really felt bad. If she were in the store, I would have apologized. It was out of character for me.

 

[Dancemom03]

No, I really felt bad. If she were in the store, I would have apologized. It was out of character for me.

I got that and agree. I think you're probably taking it harder than she is right now, just b/c it wasn't your normal demeanor. Those walks into/out of the store though really aren't the place for others to start up a conversation. One can't fault themselves for not always having the perfect phrasing when taken off guard.

Either way, your answer would not have been what she wanted to hear. The only difference I can see is that you didn't draw it out.

 

[Buckalew11]

Well, don't be too hard on yourself. I have said things that came out like I didn't mean them before and wondered why the heck I said THAT?! But, equally, I have been nice and ondered why I could not just be a little sterner, direct, or whatever.
It happens.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Wowser-that trip to PetSmart really got some thread ideas today

And to think I almost started a thread about my trip to PetSmart yesterday!

I was pulling into the parking lot at a low speed and a lady had a mini-dachshund on one of those retractable leash things. For anyone not familiar with them, they have a lock feature on them to keep the length as long/short as you want. If it's not locked, the dog can pull the cord all the way out, usually 15 feet. You cannot grab the cord as its being pulled out or it will slice through your hands. (Yes, I know this from experience )

Anyways, the little tiny yappy dog ran out in front of my car from behind another car! Thank God it was making all that noise and I saw the little thing for a split second! The owner did apologize when I got out after I parked, but then commented that "she likes to chase cars". Um okay lady. So you're in a parking lot with a known car-chaser, and you didn't lock the leash length?!?


Dawn, I don't blame you for your reply. It probably did come across as a little rude, but at least she knew you were not up for any discussion about it! It's possible, if she was pushy enough to notice and ask in the first place, a less emphatic reply may have opened the door for a debate.

 

[famofsix]

If someone was shouting at me when I was walking with my stud I would probably say "never" too

 

[teskak]

Having come back from a dog refuge which was full of the results of back yard breeders & owners who do not understand that when you cross a kelpie with a cattle dog, (either intentionally or as a result of fence jumping) you get a dog that is really really good at jumping fences and have urges to herd small children.

Well duh

Back yard breeders who just see a dog of a particular breed (not caring if it is pedigreed back to a Westminster Champion) or just of the type with untold inherited problems and likely to be put down at some early age as an excuse to make a quick buck just bust my buns.

Frankly those who want to make a quick buck probably are unable to be educated about responsible breeding & the concept of if you bred it, you should have a level of responsibility over the dog for the rest of its life.

Your response was right. Unfortunatly the other owner will not think of their behaviour and just be affronted by the response.

 

[DawnCt1]

Having come back from a dog refuge which was full of the results of back yard breeders & owners who do not understand that when you cross a kelpie with a cattle dog, (either intentionally or as a result of fence jumping) you get a dog that is really really good at jumping fences and have urges to herd small children.

Well duh

Back yard breeders who just see a dog of a particular breed (not caring if it is pedigreed back to a Westminster Champion) or just of the type with untold inherited problems and likely to be put down at some early age as an excuse to make a quick buck just bust my buns.

Frankly those who want to make a quick buck probably are unable to be educated about responsible breeding & the concept of if you bred it, you should have a level of responsibility over the dog for the rest of its life.

Your response was right. Unfortunatly the other owner will not think of their behaviour and just be affronted by the response.

Your response made me laugh out loud, except you are right. Backyard breeders are as irresponsible as puppy mills. Neither one has the interest of the breed, nor the dogs at the center where it should be.