Walkies!

Taking Poppy for a walk three times a day is sweet, but it has been VERY informative as to how different nationalities react to dogs.  The amount of fully grown men who are petrified of such a small dog is shocking! 

There are lots of cleaners in our building who literally run in the opposite direction to avoid us.  Now, I know you are saying "Well what do you expect?  I would too if I saw you approaching." but I have to say, we are told regularly that we are well liked within our elite residence.  We are told on a weekly basis that we are the best tenants (yes, I am patting myself on the back as I say this), and we get very well looked after by the staff here as in their words we "are so nice" to them - So there!  To have the cleaners run away rather than greet us with a friendly "Hello" is rather disconcerting.

Ian told me that took Poppy out just before lunch.  He said that he passed an Indian man who backed himself on tip toes against a wall and look petrified as she passed him by.  Baring in mind, Poppy is only about 6 inches off the floor and Ian said the man was over 6 feet tall; it was rather reminiscent of a woman standing on a chair to avoid a mouse.  The only difference being that Poppy would not run over someones feet - She's far too stocky to get close enough to do that.

When we got Poppy, we were offered a choice of other dogs.  One, which admittedly, I fell for badly (yes, I was crying at the thought of leaving her) was called Bear.  A beautiful cross dog who's back came up to my knee and looks like 90% of the other dogs in a home.  She was just one year old and was rather timid at first, but soon became a lap dog.  The problem with Bear was that once she forms an attachment, she wouldn't leave you.  She would pine and get distressed so they wanted her to go to someone who can be at home during the day.  Having seen her with children, she is excellent and would be perfectly suited for a family with a stay-at-home mum.  Sadly though, not for us.  Ideally, we are suited to look after animals which are more dependent.   

The beauty about not taking Bear (we have come to appreciate), is that she can react badly to men with dark skin; barking, jumping, defensive positions... that sort of thing.  As a puppy, she was abused on a building site.  She is responding very well to training, but in her home environment, she still reacts defensively with people she doesn't know.

 

Whilst I loved the dog, how can this be good for someone who lives in the Marina?!  For us, where would her 'home' boundaries be?  In the apartment, hall, reception...?!  On the street in front of our building?  If we had a villa, then it would be a different conversation as it is generally who passes the house in view of the dog, but here...? 

We wouldn't be able to walk her; You have every nationality living in our building, let alone all the nationalities you meet in the street.  She would be stuck inside, a bundle of energy, not being able to do anything.  Granted, in other parts of Dubai this definately would not be an issue, but sadly for us, it would be. 

We loved Bear and it breaks my heart that we weren't able to help her.  Luckily for Bear, she is such a lovely dog, they are training her to stop this behaviour.  To the right family, she would be perfect.  I feel terrible not being able to help her as she is so lovely, but then I look at Poppy and am glad though that we went with our gut instinct.

If you are able to help Bear, or any other dogs, please contact RAK Animal Welfare on 050-4321873 or K9 on 04 885 8031