Mind Your #@!! Manners!

I was almost run over tonight. Not by a car. By a bicyclist. It's about the 5th time that's happened. I appreciate you polite cyclists who ring your bells or shout out that you're coming up behind me. As for the rest of you, please remember that sidewalks and paths are not Tour de France speedways. You scare people and you scare dogs. Sometimes you scare dogs so much that they bite you. Guess who gets all the blame then? Right -- the dogs and their owners.

Sometimes we just bark at you. Then you curse at us.

And that's another thing. When did it become OK to curse in public? Yes, I use curse words (growling is cussing in Doginese). But not loudly on the cell phone. Not at the grocery store. Not at the park. Not everywhere people of all ages gather.

Most dogs are taught basic manners. Aren't humans?

De Tour

Yeah, I did get one of those cheery postcards from the vet reminding me that it’s time for my annual exam. This is not good news. Who wants to go to see the vet? I’ve gotta get in shape for this. How’s my weight? Teeth clean? Is my hair OK?

Well, let me tell you, before you even step onto the scale, demand a tour of the facility. Force a technician to take you to into “the back.” Talk to the sick dogs. Examine every room and every piece of equipment. The ultrasound machine is really interesting.

You are not a patient -- you are a visiting practitioner!

(I got a rabies shot anyway, but with dignity.)