u/LeavingRealityBrb

While we were on our walk today, a small dog ran up on us barking - not aggressively, just excited. I look around for an owner, see someone calling the dog, holding a leash. Been there before, so I wait while this person catches up to their dog. The small dog is playing with Lara and my lab mix, keep in mind, my dogs are leashed.

When this guy eventually gets to us, he starts screaming at me to ‘get my fucking dog’. I’m confused, I ask what he means. He starts pointing at Lara, screaming again to get my dog. I tell him his dog is the one who ran up on us, my dog is leashed, I only stopped so he could get his dog back on its own leash. He threatens to kick Lara, at that point I’m done, so I start walking away. This dog once again follows because genius still hasn’t leashed his dog. I turn and tell him to get his dog since he has a problem with my dog being near it. Cue more screaming at me and threatening my dog.

At no point does he have a problem with my lab mix. Only the staffy. How is this her fault in any way? Why is it when I walk my staffy people give wide berth and lift their children, but the aggressive small breed that’s barking up a storm doesn’t get the same reaction? Socialising my other dogs were so easy, socialising my staffy? Nightmare. Not because of her, but because people see her and immediately think she’s dangerous. Does anyone else deal with this? Cause I’m tired guys, I’m so tired of dealing with the preconceived judgement of my dog, because of her breed.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve met some fantastic people while out with my dogs, that fall in love with them. I get constant complements on their behaviour and how polite they are from people who take the time to see my dogs. Majority however? See the staffy and go ‘oh scary dog’ - Are we looking at the same dog? 🤦🏻‍♀️

7 and a half years with the best girl ❤️

I think he’s pleased with himself 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Fresh out the bath

We lost my dog Kayla on the 19th, we got her ashes back, I put the box down so my other dogs could sniff, and she cuddled them 😭 This dog makes me sob sometimes. I got Lara at 5 weeks old (Yes I know it’s too early, she was rejected by her mother, I was constantly in contact with a vet to make sure she thrived) and Kayla helped me raise her. Lara is way too emotionally intelligent.

Both pups done well though! 😂 They’ve had their walk and a jumbone so I think I’m forgiven 😂

Last Sunday we lost her adopted sister who helped me raise Lara from 5 weeks old. She stayed by her side til the very end, and she’s spent the week trying to make us laugh and make sure Kayla’s (pictured in second photo) brother is doing okay, she keeps bringing him his favourite toy and spitting out part of her treats for him to have. She’s such a loving pup 😭

She had a suspected stroke, and crossed the rainbow bridge. She was my best friend for the past 12 years. I don’t know how to even begin process losing her.

I love you Kayla ❤️

We’re on the way to the vets, she’s been really sick lately, so hoping for some answers and hopefully not awful news

Edit to update:

Wow guys, I posted this in a panic on my way to the vet, I wasn’t expecting this outpouring of support! 😭 thank you all so much for the love and well wishes! Onto the important part though;

Kayla’s going to be fine! I was extremely worried because she’s been pretty sleepy, not herself and in pain, I found lumps, I was expecting the worst because she is an older dog (she’s 12)

Fortunately, she has a pretty bad but highly treatable UTI, that’s been causing her symptoms. She has antibiotics and painkillers and should be feeling better soon!

The vet also took a quick needle biopsy, and although the lumps are pretty large, they are just fatty lumps, at the moment they’re not restricting movement too much (they’re on her chest and leg), and the vet is happy for them to be monitored for change. They may need removed, they may not. For now, they’re not in a hurry to remove them.

And the final part, she’s had a growth on her lip, she’s had this before and it burst before it needed removed (literally the day I took her to be assessed for the removal surgery), it came back, bigger and badder and this time hasn’t burst. Although the lump is large, the base that connects it to her lip is small, it’s a quick procedure that should take maybe 20 minutes, so we scheduled that today for the beginning of August.

Thank you all again! Kayla and I appreciate it!