Dog Walking Anxiety Attack
Confession: I'm afraid of big dogs. I think it leads back to when I was a little kid, and my Grandpa's beagle would chase me and then knock me down. After face planting a couple of times at a tender age, I'm just a little wary of jumping dogs....and big dogs. I know a beagle is small, but when you're four years old...it's HUGE!
So what do I do? Volunteer to walk dogs at the Humane Society. I like dogs, but I don't have any real experience with them. Case in point...the collars confuse me. They are so small that it's hard to see which way they adjust. Bigger? Smaller? I can't tell. At least they have three sizes, so I can match the dog collar to the dog. Of course, that's after I go look at the dog, so I can see what size collar I'll need.
I'm trying to remember breeds, but it's hard enough to remember the name of the dog! I read the card that tells me about the dog, promptly forget the breed, the temperament, and anything else, then take off searching for the dog. Out of 30+ dogs, it takes a bit of time. Then, I step into the cage, wait for the dog to calm down, fiddle with the collar for 10 minutes, and we're off for a walk.
Now, I'm super worried the collar (which I try my best to adjust) will slip off the dog while I'm walking him/her around the loop. During orientation, I learned how to do a field hitch with the leash. Since I'm so paranoid, I use the field hitch on every dog, big or small. On the small dogs, they kind of look like a mummy after I wrap the leash around them. This looks ridiculous, and I've received a few looks around there. I can totally hear you laughing at me right now as a matter of fact. It's cool. I don't mind.
Finally, we're off on the walk, and I'm watching the dog very carefully in case the collar magically falls off. Halfway through the walk, I panic. Wait! What's the dog name? I just looked at 30 names on cards attached to kennels. I can't remember who this is! What am I going to call the dog if they get loose? Dog! Dog!! Dog!!! Come back!
Do you see where an anxiety attack might come in? Despite me laughing at myself as I try and figure out dogs, I have a great time with them. They get lots of hugs and gentle pats from me, along with dog treats. And, I want to adopt Sebastian, the whippet mix. You knew that would happen! Isn't he cute?
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22161466
My other favorite is Sassy.
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22351632
Anyway, I encourage you to volunteer! They really need volunteers on Sundays when the facility is closed, so all the dogs still get a daily walk. 20 of the dogs didn't get walked last Sunday!
See you there on Sunday!
Confession: I'm afraid of big dogs. I think it leads back to when I was a little kid, and my Grandpa's beagle would chase me and then knock me down. After face planting a couple of times at a tender age, I'm just a little wary of jumping dogs....and big dogs. I know a beagle is small, but when you're four years old...it's HUGE!
So what do I do? Volunteer to walk dogs at the Humane Society. I like dogs, but I don't have any real experience with them. Case in point...the collars confuse me. They are so small that it's hard to see which way they adjust. Bigger? Smaller? I can't tell. At least they have three sizes, so I can match the dog collar to the dog. Of course, that's after I go look at the dog, so I can see what size collar I'll need.
I'm trying to remember breeds, but it's hard enough to remember the name of the dog! I read the card that tells me about the dog, promptly forget the breed, the temperament, and anything else, then take off searching for the dog. Out of 30+ dogs, it takes a bit of time. Then, I step into the cage, wait for the dog to calm down, fiddle with the collar for 10 minutes, and we're off for a walk.
Now, I'm super worried the collar (which I try my best to adjust) will slip off the dog while I'm walking him/her around the loop. During orientation, I learned how to do a field hitch with the leash. Since I'm so paranoid, I use the field hitch on every dog, big or small. On the small dogs, they kind of look like a mummy after I wrap the leash around them. This looks ridiculous, and I've received a few looks around there. I can totally hear you laughing at me right now as a matter of fact. It's cool. I don't mind.
Finally, we're off on the walk, and I'm watching the dog very carefully in case the collar magically falls off. Halfway through the walk, I panic. Wait! What's the dog name? I just looked at 30 names on cards attached to kennels. I can't remember who this is! What am I going to call the dog if they get loose? Dog! Dog!! Dog!!! Come back!
Do you see where an anxiety attack might come in? Despite me laughing at myself as I try and figure out dogs, I have a great time with them. They get lots of hugs and gentle pats from me, along with dog treats. And, I want to adopt Sebastian, the whippet mix. You knew that would happen! Isn't he cute?
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22161466
My other favorite is Sassy.
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22351632
Anyway, I encourage you to volunteer! They really need volunteers on Sundays when the facility is closed, so all the dogs still get a daily walk. 20 of the dogs didn't get walked last Sunday!
See you there on Sunday!
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