Recent rash of dog thefts lead to disturbing questions.

[Not Afraid]

Apparently there has been quite a few dog thefts lately making headlines. For the past several days, I've had some pretty unsettling comments made to me while walking in Down Town Long Beach (which is a pretty urban area to say the least). Here's a sampling of comments I get when walking 2 pugs and 2 shihtzu:

"Hey, that's the kind of dog that cost $2000. Someone stole one of these dog and the owner is offering a $10,000 reward!"

"Those dogs are REALLY expensive, aren't they????"

"How much did your dog cost?"

"Are those dogs fixed or cat they have puppies?"

(Of course, then there's just the creepy pimp-looking guy who said "I ain't never seen a pretty woman walking 5 dogs before!!!!!" BARF!)

I'm used to people talking to me when I have dogs. It's not unusual nor does it bother me and I usually have some witty or fun comment to say as I'm walking away. But, the comments lately have got my hackles up and I was a bit freaked out today.

There is no "safe" place downtown to walk dogs and I have quite a few dogs in that area - many of them are pure bred. It would be pretty easy for someone to walk up and just take one of the dogs off the leash and run away. Scares the CRAP out of me!

I just hope the "news" isn't giving people bad ideas. I will be one pissed off person if someone gets cranky with me.

http://www.pugvillage.com/forum/images/misc/progress.gif

[CoasterMatt]

Some dickface left a dog at Rose's work tonight...

[madmonkeygirl]

Sorry to hear that NA. I'm always leering about the girls and thankfully we only walk around the mobile home park but still. So protective of my girlies. Some dickface left his dog overnight tonight. Ugh just sickens me to no end. I am so furious. He apparently has done this before.Leaving the dog tied up outside the store. But tonight was the lowest. He had his dog in grooming this black shaggy big dog with hair over his eyes. Very friendly dog. This guy is a real asshole apparently and i think i know who he is too. He had voicemail and then after a few attempts by the grooming girls he shut his phone off. So as not to be bothered. Figures. He did that on purpose i'm assuming. Well he is getting charged an overnight fee but poor doggie. He wanted to go home. He had to stay in grooming kennel with water only we can't leave food for the dog. I have tomorrow off so i won't know how this drama plays out. It might be best i don't. I can't post here what i'd do to that owner if i were around when he comes to pick up his dog.

Just keep your eyes and ears open when walking the doggies. That's why i'd consider carrying mace and definitely take self defense incase. Sickos out there.

[Kevy Baby]

"Are those dogs fixed or cat they have puppies?"Some typos are just to funny to let slip by.

[katiesue]

NA be careful. I'd be a little nervous too.

[Snowflake]

Wow, now that is very weird and extremely disturbing. I'm 100% echoing Katiesue here, be vewy vewy careful NA!

[Morrigoon]

I think if someone starts asking you about cost and breed, you tell them the dogs you're walking are just mixes.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Scary. Keep that little piggy safe!

I have to say, this is another great reason to save a mutt from a rescue instead of getting a designer dog.

[~MS~]

I vote with the misdirected information, oh no this dog is a pound rescue...and I'd start carrying a bigger can of pepper spray!

[DreadPirateRoberts]

You need to add a friendly rottweiler to your menagerie.

[Not Afraid]

Scary. Keep that little piggy safe!

I have to say, this is another great reason to save a mutt from a rescue instead of getting a designer dog.

None of the dogs I am walking are "designer dogs", they are all pure breeds. People usually have very compelling reasons to go with specific breed (I certainly did).

[BarTopDancer]

"This is a new type of Pug. The killer kind"

[Not Afraid]

I vote with the misdirected information, oh no this dog is a pound rescue...and I'd start carrying a bigger can of pepper spray!

I told someone yesterday they they were all rescues because these dogs are expensive to own and that people give them up because they couldn't afford the $700 a month it takes to care for them.

One of the small dogs I do walk is not very nice and will bite if approached. It's hard to convince people that Thurston or Gus are "killers" (the wiggly but usually gives them away) but Louis isn't friendly and I usually say "Watch out, he bites". It keeps most people at a distance.

[Chernabog]

I usually say "Watch out, he bites". It keeps most people at a distance.

Heh you could just say, watch out, I bite ;)

"When Swankers Attack! Next on ... Fox."