Red and Rover by Brian Basset for April 11, 2021

You don’t know, when it is an unknown dog! One day I went shopping and there was a cute looking hairy dog bounded. I put my hand forward for stroking him, just in this moment he snapped and bit me in the hand. Since this time I am cautious!

That’s my boy

Rover is Mr. Congeniality!

Duh.

Rover is the ambassador of good will! BTW, what’s that dude doing with a briefcase and in a suit in a suburban neighborhood? Hmmm, very suspicious, Ha

Should have gone to Specsavers…..

We have two friendly dogs and social distancing is beyond their understanding, so they are sad.

Happens to me and my Lab often. Some people are afraid of large dogs.

Rover’s about as friendly as they get.

Why do some people want to reach out towards a dog they don’t know (and the dog doesn’t know them) no matter how friendly the dog is or looks? And they often try to pet the dog’s head (our trainer said that some dogs see the hand going over them as aggression) or touch under the dog’s snout. Getting too close to an unfamiliar dog’s mouth is never a good idea (and remember, little kids are often at eye-level with big dogs). Newton is very friendly (although not as exuberant as Rover) but when we encounter people wanting to meet Newt, he goes into a sit/stay and I have the person/s keep their arms down at their sides. Some people may feel I’m overly cautious, but this technique works for us.

Some dogs are quite protective. They may be very friendly to their owners and/or family pack, but find a stranger threatening. I walk a lot and pet dogs whenever I can. It’s usually quite safe, as I approach slowly and watch the dog’s body language. I usually ask “Is your dog friendly” as a way of asking the owner if they are comfortable with my petting the dog.

Rover did everything but lick the guy’s shoes! I think he is definitely a friendly canine!

We had a 110# long haired German Shepard that everyone wanted to pet. He never bit anyone, but we always told people to keep their distance. He thought he was always on guard duty for my wife. Funniest incident was when she was walking him and she stopped talk to two young men that were renting a home for the week on our block. The dog was laying down next to her on leash. One man asked if he could pet Bear and she told him no. The man poo-poo her saying he would be fine and walked a step closer. Bear then sat up. The wife again told the guy no, but he took another step. Bear then stood all the way up. Again the idiot stepped closer. Bear then barked once at the guy, no growl, and the guy finally got the hint and backed off. Bear laid back down and they continued their conversation with the second guy getting a good laugh.

“Does your dog bite?”

“No.”

[bite]

“Ow!”

“That’s not my dog.”

Full body language is important to look at. A wagging tail means they are excited. They could be excited to bite you.

Never can be too careful.

Rover is the friendliest dog ever!

When I was little, my dad thought it was funny to tie a rope around me, tell me to run around in the yard, and let our dog chase me…I hated it. Then as a teenager, delivering papers, a german shepard bit my leg…it’s no wonder some of us don’t like dogs.

Today’s comic gave me a good laugh because Rover is exactly like my lab Bella. She gets so excited about every person or dog she meets and she’s all over the place and her tail goes in circles. Then she settles and lies down with her hindies stretched out behind her – just like Rover. I think Bella and Rover would be best friends.