{"id":8009,"date":"2026-04-23T13:46:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T12:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/?p=8009"},"modified":"2026-04-23T13:46:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T12:46:43","slug":"a-casual-walk-turned-tense-when-a-stranger-criticized-my-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/?p=8009","title":{"rendered":"A casual walk turned tense when a stranger criticized my dog"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I have a two-year-old rescue dog named Toby. He was injured in a car accident, which left him missing some part of his ear. He&#8217;s been in our family for quite some time now, and his presence has been a blessing to us in every sense.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But there is something that has been irking me for a while. As I already mentioned, Toby is missing a part of his ear. It definitely stands out in a park full of other dogs. Or, even in a place where there are almost no dogs at all. So, as one can imagine, I have to put up with a lot of unwanted \u2018feedback\u2019 from people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Complete strangers who think it&#8217;s perfectly fine to come up and say things like, \u201cSuch a nice dog. Too bad it&#8217;s missing\u2026 so much of that ear.&#8221; Or, \u201cWhy don&#8217;t you take it for some reconstruction surgery?\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">The day I clapped back<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Usually, I ignore such comments with a smile. But I reached the limits of my patience one day. Toby and I were taking a walk at the local park one day, soaking up the fresh sunlight of the newly settled-in summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Out of nowhere comes this guy in a tee and torn jeans and says, \u201cWhat happened to your dog? He looks horrible.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I wanted to ignore it as usual, but that day, something changed inside me. I responded, \u2018Don\u2019t mind me, but I think you need a better fashion sense. That bright red looks really tacky on you\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Angry dog owner scolding her shih tzu puppy because it ran away at the park. Attractive woman talking to her dog about its bad behavior\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/KytKzTC8gevP9uhB27rVqQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net\/images\/2026-04\/e6d71b1b-e484-40df-bee3-b7f3526278da\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">As expected, he looked taken aback. I continued, \u201cAlso, I don&#8217;t appreciate comments like this on my dog. Thank you.&#8221; Then I strode forward, Toby leading the way. I didn&#8217;t glance back to gauge his reaction. But he was probably too stunned to say anything.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">When to break the silence<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">When a stranger critiques a dog\u2014whether they\u2019re commenting on a unique breed trait, a rescue\u2019s <a data-yga=\"{\" ylinkelement=\"\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/conditions\/skin\/hair-loss-dogs-causes-symptoms-and-treatment\" data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:patchy coat;cpos:1;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">patchy coat<\/a>, or just a face that &#8220;only a mother could love&#8221;\u2014they are commenting based on their own expectations of how a dog should look.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">My dog doesn\u2019t know he has a bad ear; he only knows he is happy to be outside with me.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Young Hispanic woman enjoying a wellness break in an office lounge, holding a fluffy dog on her lap while engaging in a lively conversation with colleagues seated nearby.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/R63pvmipi4Y6Q373id0HeQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net\/images\/2026-04\/f1e3320f-258c-47bf-a6f5-4c2c05ff6eb1\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">You may think keeping quiet will help you move past all this. But sometimes, it just encourages rude behavior. It&#8217;s then that you need to speak up and set boundaries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tolerating can only work to a certain degree; beyond that, you will need to step in and be the \u2018defender\u2019 for your dog.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">What I did that day is something every owner needs to do. Maybe not the exact same reaction, but something similar. One of the most effective ways to handle a rude comment is with a polite but pointed question.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Suppose someone says, &#8220;That&#8217;s a weird-looking dog,&#8221; or &#8220;Why does he look like that?&#8221; Here, you can simply respond with, &#8220;Why do you feel the need to say that to me?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This shifts the focus back onto the <a data-yga=\"{\" ylinkelement=\"\" class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/insight-is-2020\/201801\/why-people-give-unsolicited-advice-though-no-one-listens\" data-i13n=\"cpos:2;pos:1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:stranger\u2019s behavior;cpos:2;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">stranger\u2019s behavior<\/a>. Most people who make these comments do so because they expect you to just take it. But if you call them out, they often stumble.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It often makes them reconsider their comment. And it highlights the absurdity of their comment without you having to raise your voice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Another approach is the \u2018Positive Pivot.&#8217; If someone makes a disparaging remark, you can counter it with a fact about your dog\u2019s character. &#8220;He might not meet your beauty standards, but he\u2019s the gentlest soul I\u2019ve ever met,&#8221; or &#8220;She\u2019s a rescue who has overcome so much, and to me, that makes her the most beautiful dog on this street.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This shuts down the critique of their looks by reminding the stranger that a dog\u2019s value isn&#8217;t found in their coat or their symmetry. No, it&#8217;s much, much more.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This idea applies beyond pet ownership to a lot of life aspects. While there are certainly certain situations that deserve silence, it is not a universal option. Nothing has a \u2018one-size-fits-all\u2019 solution, and you should never treat anything that way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Always remember that your dog is a precious member of the family. It is important to advocate for them when needed. They love, guard, and keep you company at every moment of your life. So, it&#8217;s only fair you return the same.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I have a two-year-old rescue dog named Toby. He was injured in a car accident, which left him missing some part of his ear. He&#8217;s been in our family for quite some time now, and his presence has been a blessing to us in every sense. But there is something that has been irking me [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8010,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7224,1551,691,11573,11575,206,1839,4838,355,11574,11580,69,56,409,6942,2225,11583,883,502,85,406,2756,48,923,814,67,320,66,9034,1103,76,11582,2650,2243,11579,6652,11578,47,11581,1515,11577,46,11576,456],"class_list":["post-8009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pets-news","tag-accident","tag-behavior","tag-blessing","tag-casual","tag-casual-walk","tag-coat","tag-comment","tag-commenting","tag-comments","tag-criticized","tag-criticized-dog","tag-dog","tag-dogs","tag-family","tag-ignore","tag-injured","tag-irking","tag-left","tag-life","tag-love","tag-mentioned","tag-missing","tag-named","tag-park","tag-part","tag-pe-ts-fun","tag-people","tag-pets-news","tag-presence","tag-reaction","tag-rescue","tag-rude","tag-sense","tag-stranger","tag-stranger-criticized","tag-tense","tag-tense-stranger","tag-time","tag-toby","tag-turned","tag-turned-tense","tag-walk","tag-walk-turned","tag-year"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8009"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8009\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}