 Barked: Thu Nov 1, '12 1:34pm PST |
 | |  | | Like everyone else I have been asked all of the same questions when I am out with Mali. Most of the time I try to take my time and educate people about service dogs. However, there are many days I don’t have time, or I am not feeling well and I don’t want to be bothered. I know having a hidden disability, or being “Differently abled” as I like to call myself makes it hard for people to understand why I have a dog with me. It tends to make them ask foolish questions.
On those days when I would rather be left alone and they ask me personal question about why I would have a SD, I tell them; If they will tell me what they did in bed last night with their lover, I will be happy to share why I am differently abled. For the most part they look at me with a second look and say, OH..
I go on to say, you see it is just as personal to ask me that question as the one I asked you; and then I leave them where they stand. Most people understand right away.
One day I took my daughter shopping. There was a man in the store who would not keep his hands to himself. I blocked his advance toward Mali repeatedly explaining to him she was working and that she was a SD. It did not make a bit of difference; he seemed to come around every isle and corner and try to sneak a pat in when my back was turned. Mali did a great job of ignoring him, turning her back to him, but he followed us around the store. I did not see a clerk anywhere or I would have reported him, so I gave up and went to wait at the front of the store while she checked out.
Just as we were leaving he came out right after her…as he came towards Mali with his hand extended I reached out with my hand too. I was sitting down at the time, so my hand was a bit on the lower side, something I did not realize until later. He stopped before reaching Mali and said, “What are you doing?” I told him if he was going to pet my dog I was going to pet him. He looked at me like I was crazy. I told him to come on come pet her and waved my hand a little… his hand was still raised but he took a step back. “Oh come on let me”, I said.” He said” NO!” and left the store, and that was that! |  |  | |  |
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I think I will try that. Yesterday when I was at the grocery store, I was up by the front, this lady and her husband come in with two small dogs riding in the basket of the cart.a mommy and her pup. The store clerk told her that she could not bring in her dogs.
