I rarely do this but I must I must: if you missed or if you don't read his blog, check out Signifying nothing's disc golf movie posted a couple of weeks ago. I had a full-body, all out laugh.
p.s. also watching this video might lessen any lingering anger you have about dogs or about my views concerning dogs.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
An open letter to dog owners
Ok, so I hate dogs. There you go. I've said it. Sorry dog lovers but it's mostly true. Sometimes it seems safer to criticize the sancrosanct halls of religion than the glorious cultural institution of dog ownership.
It's not that I hate any one dog in front of me panting or chasing a stick or one I'm petting. In fact I find dog faces and actions to be charming (except the nose-in-crotch-move), even cute. And I'm perfectly willing to put up with the nose-in-crotch or even the dog-shit-on-shoe. Unfortunately dogs also bark and whine. And this I hate.
Of course most dog owners think those annoying dogs are the other guys, but I'm pretty sure that can't be true. Those barking dogs all over must be owned by some of the people who think their dogs rarely bark. BARKING DOGS REALLY STRESS ME OUT. And this makes me wonder why people love dogs so much given that they bark, given that they know they will annoy their HUMAN neighbors, keep them up, put them on edge. How does one justify impacting 20 people who live around you so you can once in awhile walk your dog or rub his head???
Annoy isn't quite the right word though; it under-sales the annoyance. It's about more than just an annoyance. Example: Often these days I can't go out in my back yard to pick a tomato because...a stupid dog, one I've tried to make friends with no success, barks wildly at me. This makes me feel like I lost ownership of my back yard and my garden, enjoyments I deserve but are now taken away from me because someone believes owning a dog is vital to their lives.
Yet if the dog is vital why do I hear the owner yelling constantly at the dog to shut-up? I do not understand dog ownership. I simply do not. That's ok but if someone wants a dog please don't share the negative aspects of such a purchase with me, your neighbor. I didn't choose to buy a dog and I don't get any of the benefits (face licks? companionship? goofy looks we anthropomorphize?).
Nervously awaiting attacks from readers.
It's not that I hate any one dog in front of me panting or chasing a stick or one I'm petting. In fact I find dog faces and actions to be charming (except the nose-in-crotch-move), even cute. And I'm perfectly willing to put up with the nose-in-crotch or even the dog-shit-on-shoe. Unfortunately dogs also bark and whine. And this I hate.
Of course most dog owners think those annoying dogs are the other guys, but I'm pretty sure that can't be true. Those barking dogs all over must be owned by some of the people who think their dogs rarely bark. BARKING DOGS REALLY STRESS ME OUT. And this makes me wonder why people love dogs so much given that they bark, given that they know they will annoy their HUMAN neighbors, keep them up, put them on edge. How does one justify impacting 20 people who live around you so you can once in awhile walk your dog or rub his head???
Annoy isn't quite the right word though; it under-sales the annoyance. It's about more than just an annoyance. Example: Often these days I can't go out in my back yard to pick a tomato because...a stupid dog, one I've tried to make friends with no success, barks wildly at me. This makes me feel like I lost ownership of my back yard and my garden, enjoyments I deserve but are now taken away from me because someone believes owning a dog is vital to their lives.
Yet if the dog is vital why do I hear the owner yelling constantly at the dog to shut-up? I do not understand dog ownership. I simply do not. That's ok but if someone wants a dog please don't share the negative aspects of such a purchase with me, your neighbor. I didn't choose to buy a dog and I don't get any of the benefits (face licks? companionship? goofy looks we anthropomorphize?).
Nervously awaiting attacks from readers.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
OR Coast and CA Redwoods
2275: miles driven
7: national forests visited
2: national parks seen (Crater and Redwood)
4: state parks entered (two amazing ones just outside of Coos Bay)
3: P & B sandwiches eaten
22: couples traveling 101 with bikes heavy laden gear
Thousands: redwood trees experienced
1: redwood trees driven through
2: helpings of fish and chips
0: things left in hotels
3: things left in hotel 2 weeks ago in Cedar city
3: visits to the hot tub
1: motel dives stayed at
3: gracious, mostly curious, kid-teen travelers
2700: feet gained on hikes
9: hikes taken
4: motels/hotels stayed in
3: bike rides with the wife
80: miles cycled
1: dangerous cycle ascent and descent on highway 101 into the deliciously dark redwoods
thousands: rocks on the ocean hopped with youngest son
2: days before I must return to work
7: national forests visited
2: national parks seen (Crater and Redwood)
4: state parks entered (two amazing ones just outside of Coos Bay)
3: P & B sandwiches eaten
22: couples traveling 101 with bikes heavy laden gear
Thousands: redwood trees experienced
1: redwood trees driven through
2: helpings of fish and chips
0: things left in hotels
3: things left in hotel 2 weeks ago in Cedar city
3: visits to the hot tub
1: motel dives stayed at
3: gracious, mostly curious, kid-teen travelers
2700: feet gained on hikes
9: hikes taken
4: motels/hotels stayed in
3: bike rides with the wife
80: miles cycled
1: dangerous cycle ascent and descent on highway 101 into the deliciously dark redwoods
thousands: rocks on the ocean hopped with youngest son
2: days before I must return to work
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)