I love how different the dynamic is for people when they meet/see a new dog. Now, as a disclaimer, I will say, that I totally understand one's fear of animals with good reason (i.e. you've been bit by one, they jump on you, etc.) but I find unnecesary reactions to dogs really interesting.
Imagine if you were walking down the street and people looked at you, shuddered and walked the other way to avoid any interaction with you. I bet that's how Caesar (my 95 pound dog) and so many others feel. It was a concept I learned as I was walking down South Congress, where the homeless bums were avoiding asking me for money for fear that my dog would attack them. I must say, it was a nice surprise, not having to come up with a new, creative way to let these people know that in reality, they were probably more capable than I was of getting a decent job, given their experience in "sales."
I was at a party recently where Brandy Krain, (I have changed her name to avoid dog lovers rushing over to egg her house) a long time friend was so afraid of my dog, she let out a shriek every time he walked by. By the end of the night, I was purposely walking my dog close to her just to hear the interesting noise. Each time he heard it, Caesar tilted his head, almost as if to ask "Hey, what is that noise?"
Brandy's reaction is so common among Indian people and I wonder why. India is filled with random stray dogs, probably carrying diseases that we have never heard of, eating leftover samosa dough off the streets and drinking water that is so gross, a description of the color is almost non-existent in the English language. Yet Brandy, in her fear of my dog, seemed to forget that her homeland is filled with dogs that are just as sweet as mine, and just like humans, are just trying to make it another day.
I'm not saying everyone has to love my dog or others. I am saying that we are so afraid of that which we do not know, that which takes us out of our comfort zone. Dogs, on the other hand, thrive in these environments. They love the idea of meeting new people, trying new foods, playing in new grass. We should do the same.
