Muzzle Yourselves

It happened in the old neighborhood, too, but here in the Anti-Canine Belt of Forest Hills, it's worse. I go out walking Jackson, and hear one of the following comments or questions:
1) Does he bite?!
2) Do he bite? Why he got a muzzle on then?
3) That dog must be vicious.
4) Beagles aren't mean... that dog shouldn't have a muzzle on.
5) Why do you have that muzzle on him?
6) What's that muzzle on his face?

It's annoying as hell, but at least these are the people who speak up or ask. I get a lot of dirty looks from people who just walk past silently. I watch moms and dads quickly pull their children out of the way of the oncoming “feral Beagle.” I think it's worse in this neighborhood, too, because it's not very dog-friendly in Forest Ills. The apartment building situation has been well-documented. But everywhere we go on our walks, I see signs warning that grass has been “chemically treated” to keep dogs away. (Um, poisoned?) One sign, near the YM-YWCA, shares the information that “dog waste transmits disease.” (To be fair, pet owners in this area aren't exactly helping their own cause. Are my wife and I the only ones who pick up their dog's business?)

So, anyway.

Stop asking. It's not a fucking muzzle. It's a Gentle Leader. Among its many benefits, it prevents Jackson from gagging himself when he pulls at the leash, because it puts the pressure on the back of his neck instead of the throat. It's not a fucking muzzle. He could bite. But he won't. I will.

[posted with ecto]

On iTunes right now: “Punished or Be Damned” from the album Demos 1977-78 by Screamers, The

Comments

[stereomic]

Anti-canine?!?!? I had 5 such creatures smell me out of curiosity on the way to 7 eleven this morning!

[Becky]

We had the "Sensation Harness" reccomended to us. It fastens around the chest so it doesn't look like a muzzle. It's been very effective for pulling. I think I've seen them at PetSmart but we got ours through a trainer so, I'm not sure. Link here: http://www.softouchconcepts.com/products/sense_sation_harness.html

[Tommy Himself]

Becky, thanks for the tip. We love the Gentle Leader, but your suggestion will stop the muzzle comments. We'll definitely check it out. Thanks again.

stereomic, exactly what were those doggies curious about? and kudos on the proper spelling of 7Eleven. You knew I'd appreciate that didn't you?

T