Monday, September 15
My friend is in town visiting and we had fun going to a bunch of small Wisconsin towns going to bakeries, bookstores, and thrift shops. I don't usually go into bookstores, so it was fun to wander around!
My friend is in town visiting and we had fun going to a bunch of small Wisconsin towns going to bakeries, bookstores, and thrift shops. I don't usually go into bookstores, so it was fun to wander around!
Tuesday, September 16
We met up with Sarah for brunch in Madison and then, on her advice, went to the State Capitol where we climbed all the stairs to get to the observation level where you can walk around the whole building several floors up. It was fun, but terrifying. Then we walked up and down State Street and I finished our exciting agenda with a trip to Costco.
Wednesday, September 17
Lunch at a local spot. I'm a bit creeped out by the empty birdcages. That's all.
Thursday, September 18
I was doing a fun photo shoot with Hannah when a woman walked by. I nodded and kept my arms around Hannah.
"Can I pet her?"
"Oh, sorry, she's not nice to strangers."
The lady kept coming at us. I tensed. Hannah growled. The lady put her hand out. Hannah barked. "Please, she's just uncomfortable around new people."
"I like dogs."
"I'm sorry, she's..." Hannah is squirming in my arms. I'm holding her tight. Hannah's growling and her hackles are up.
The lady shook her head and walked away.
I warned her. I told her Hannah wasn't nice and if she'd listened and just kept walking, Hannah would have ignored her. Is this my fault? Should I do something different?
I don't know. I beat myself up about having a reactive dog. But she's so sweet to us and she's so happy with her little pack. She doesn't need other people and we live in a small enough town that I can avoid having her interact with others. I feel like I am at fault whenever people have these interactions with us.
We live by a pre-school and the little kids frequently ask me if they can pet her and I say "thank you for asking, but she's not nice to children" and they have ALWAYS backed off. It's always the adults I worry about.
My precious Hannah.
Friday, September 19
My friend and colleague has had some bad medical news. She's optimistic and cheery and filled with hope. After lunch today I had to leave my office because I just couldn't focus anymore so I stopped by her office and asked if she wanted to go for a walk. We walked the perimeter of the campus and stopped by a little flower garden. She's going to be okay. She has to be okay. I am very much on edge about this right now.
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| My Googling leads me to believe this is Early Amethyst Japanese Beautyberry. |
Saturday, September 20
Just me and my best kitty. If you want to know, that tail is simply the most luxurious thing in the whole house.
Sunday, September 21
It was Hannah's worst day - bath day! She was mortified and embarrassed and grumpy. Now the whole house smells like wet dog, but for the next day or two you won't have grime on your hands after you touch her, so that's a win for the humans.
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You have until Wednesday to cast your vote for the CBBC book. Here's the link to the Google form if you haven't already voted. Things do look like they've settled into a winner, but it can go in any direction with a few votes from any side.
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When were you last in a bookstore? Climbed a really tall building?
Ima start with a rant about the lady who kept approaching Hannah. THIS IS NOT OKAY!!! WHAT THE FRICK IS WRONG WITH HER?????????
ReplyDeleteDoggo likes us and people that she meets when the planets are in perfect alignment. Everyone else is The Enemy, and I've been in situations where someone wouldn't take the hint and got the growl and the bark. My special peeve is when people ask "can I pet your dog?" [correct] but they assume that the answer is yes and approach the dog while they're asking [all kinds of wrong]. I wish that I could wave a magic wand and make Doggo comfortable with the world, but the fact is that she either missed out on the socialization window with people and/or had bad experiences, so she's never going to be 100% at ease with the world. Like Hannah, as long as other people aren't around, she's a very happy, sweet soul.
Everything else here is good stuff! I don't go to bookstores very much either, but I enjoy browsing with a friend. As you know I've been there and done that with your capitol. Nothing on this planet is more luxe than Zelda's tail.
Right? What is wrong with people? We were really having a lovely time together and then that lady ruined the mood and made me think poor H was the devil dog. She's just scared, you know?
DeleteDude. What is UP with people like that?!?! You did nothing wrong. Hannah did nothing wrong. That lady ignored a CLEAR boundary that you set, putting all of you in danger. I am furious on your behalf.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry your friend is going through something scary. ❤️
Zelda and her tail are magnificent. My cat also has a lovely tail and I admire it regularly. Sometimes it seems to be its own entity.
(This is Suzanne. Also, thanks for the cat sitting advice!)
I don't know how you get a neighbor who likes cats, but that's what my basic advice comes down to. Luck!
DeleteWhat was wrong with her? You told her not to pet Hannah. That's one of the first things gs I teach my kids- ask if you can pet! Heck, I've even been warned about cats who look welcoming who really want the world to burn. It's all on her, not you or Hannah. Hannah, you're a good girl guarding your humans. Sorry about the bath!
ReplyDeleteI used to spend so much money and time in bookstores- but rarely now. I do try to visit the bookstore in my town every other month and buy something there- if a kid is with ne, I'd definitely spring for books! I did just buy Hemlock and Silver, but that was through an online place that gives credit to the local bookstore.
Yeah, we have to warn people about Zelda, too. You have to watch her body language VERY carefully because she'll switch from wanting pets and cuddles to vicious in an instant.
DeleteI am listening to Hemlock and Silver RIGHT NOW. What are the odds?
People are so fucking weird.
ReplyDeleteBut you know what's not weird - a visit from a friend! It sounds like you had a great time together, how lovely! I was just in a bookstore...wait, what is time...I guess it was in August. It feels like sooner than that but here we are.
I am so impressed you can bathe Hannah yourself! I have never been able to bathe my own dogs.
Well, Hannah doesn't actually require "grooming," like shaving her fur or anything. We Dremel her nails once every week or two and the bathing is just slopping on some shampoo and rinsing. I actually do a DOUBLE wash, though, because if I just wash once, she just smells like wet dog. If I wash twice, she smells like a wet dog with a nice shampoo. Ha.
DeleteSince everyone has vented about that lady, I don’t need to. Glory be to Hannah. Now I have to look that up.
ReplyDeleteHere we go: “ Glory be to Hannah" references the hymn of praise found in the Bible (1 Samuel 2:1-11), which Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, sang after God answered her prayer for a child.”
Interesting. I honestly didn't even know Hannah was a Biblical name. I am obviously a heathen.
DeleteI wonder if it would help if you said to people like that idiot, "It's not you, it's her." It's like she took it as an insult to her dog-friendliness, so maybe you can start with that? I don't know, some people are just going to do the stupid anyway, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the sad-Hannah, cat floof, and bookstore shots, those always make me smile!
Maybe you're right. Hannah won't know if I just 100% throw her under the bus. I have strongly considered buying a leash cover that says "Do Not Pet," but I've heard horror stories about people just reading "pet" and going straight in. *sigh* I sometimes wish I could put Hannah in a bubble, but I also know that a bubble would be the WORST for her.
DeleteI don't own a dog, but feel like Rule #1 about asking to pet someone else's dog is to actually listen to what they say. I'd also argue that it isn't that Hannah isn't nice to strangers, she's just rightly wary. I mean, don't we teach our kids to have a healthy fear of people they don't know? It goes against all animal instincts to be okay with someone you don't know coming and TOUCHING YOU. You're clearly not doing anything wrong, Hannah's not doing anything wrong, and the lady did the right thing by asking and then the very wrong thing by completely disregarding your answer.
ReplyDeletePoor Hannah. My kids used to behave the same way about baths...and know I have to bang down the door after 20 minutes to get them to stop their showers. I have a feeling Hannah won't grow out of her dislike of showers like teenagers, but those eyes do make her look like she is living under a horrible regime.
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. It's stressful to watch someone you care about struggle and suffer and feel helpless.
I rarely go to bookstores and am not really attracted to the idea of browsing. I find it all a bit overwhelming and prefer to look at book reviews online in the comfort of my own home.
YES!! You have just articulated how I feel about bookstores. I get so stressed because I KNOW there are a million books there that are on my TBR, but I don't have a system for finding them and there are so many books and so many authors and I just end up leaving without buying anything.
DeleteWhen were you last in a bookstore? Recently wrote a post about it. Saw Gywneth while I was there. 😜
ReplyDeleteClimbed a really tall building? Years ago I'd say. I have climbed up a lot stairs at a ball park to get to my cheap seat, though. Kind of the same.
Do you get nervous when you have to climb up to the cheap seats? I think it would make me very nervous.
DeleteWow, that woman was out of line! And, a lesson to be learned here- ALWAYS ask before you pet, and listen to the answer.
ReplyDeletePoor Hannah on her bath day, ha ha. And, love the photo of Zelda!
I LOVE bookstores! One of the things I'm looking forward to when I visit my son is he has FOUR bookstores within walking distance of his house.
I voted! Eagerly awaiting the outcome.
I am so excited for you that you'll get to go to all those bookstores! Yay! Soon!
DeleteThose Beautyberries are indeed quite beautiful! I’ve never been to Madison (or WI in general); your pics make me want to visit. Last bookstore I went to was an independent shop in my town, but over a year ago. I know they do lots of events and a variety of book clubs, which I need to pursue. Last tall building climb was probably 8! years ago, the cathedral in Berlin. It was def more harrowing than I anticipated! Narrow/spiral steps and … very high, ha.
ReplyDeleteWisconsin is beautiful! Well, I should amend that it's always beautiful, but sometimes the weather lets us down.
DeleteI get so nervous when I climb up and up. Sheesh. I feel like I was braver when I was younger.
You are definitely not in the wrong with the stranger approaching Hannah. You clearly let her know what Hannah was comfortable with and she should have RESPECTED that!
ReplyDeleteI was in a bookstore when I visited my sister at the end of August. I bought a couple of books, and what made this bookstore so special - two resident cats that staff let us know were happy to be petted!
I love it when stores have dogs and cats! And even better when you can pet them!
DeletePoor Hannah. And you. We have the same situation with our dog. One day while walking at a park, a lady came along who asked if she could pet Pooch. I answered no, he really isn't friendly, and she said, "oh come now" or somthing equally derisive and went for him, and he naturally barked and lunged at her. The woman looked rather surprised. I said - "Well look at that, I DO know what I'm talking about!" Then she just looked offended and walked off in a snit. If I were you, I would take this attitude, and if you tell someone not to pet her and they go for her anyway, make a note of saying - "I TOLD you." We also find that kids are much better about asking (we always thank them) and backing off when we way no. Please don't feel responsible in any way for Hannah's personality and for adults being so clueless. This really is her fault. - Dianna
ReplyDeleteI do feel responsible for Hannah's personality. She was SO GOOD when we first adopted her. We had parties and she let everyone pet her and then COVID hit and now she is so reactive. BUT. We know that she is and I understand why and it's my responsibility to protect her and all the idiot people who think they will be the ones to be her best friend. *sigh*
DeleteThose pictures of Hannah getting a bath! She is not happy, and yet its so adorable! People don't seem to get that not all dogs are approachable. Although my dog is sweet with us, she has some triggers that can cause her to nip, like her being cornered or a stranger approaching her. We've had a couple incidents with my kids' friends who get in her space too quickly. I try to warn people that come to the house not to pet her directly when meeting her, but it frustates me when they don't listen. She growled at a contractor, who stuck his hand in her face at the front door, all the while saying, "Yea, I get it some dogs don't like new people." He was lucky he didn't get bit. I have to ask them to back off more forcefully when necessary, but they should listen in the first place. I think its a personality thing with dogs. Some are more skittish with people than others.
ReplyDeleteYeah, shepherds are naturally protective. It's inborn that they protect their flocks and since we humans are Hannah's flock, it makes sense that she's protective! And it makes sense that she's nervous around people since PEOPLE hurt her in the past. Oh, well. I'll just keep working on my strategy for telling people, "Don't touch her. She's mean." Maybe I should just say it that straightforwardly!
DeleteUgh. Has your dog ever bitten anyone? It's so scary when it happens!
Yep, my nervous pup has bitten, fortunately nothing serious. One time she nipped my daughter's friend who rushed to pet her before letting my dog warm up to her. Another time, at the vet of all places, my dog was nervously hiding under the two-seater bench in the exam room. She bit the vet tech who reached under to get her out. Its embarassing and, obviously, I don't want anyone to get hurt. Now she gets a muzzle at the vet and I vigorously remind the vet staff not to handle her if she's cornered. (My cat is absolutely scared and acts like a feral tiger at the vet and requires lots of sedation. So glad they still want to work with my furry babies!)
DeleteYou did everything right — she was the problem. I love dogs, but if someone said that to me, I’d totally get it! 💜
ReplyDeleteRight? Like, C said above, it's her, not you!
DeleteI don’t think you did anything wrong. I guess I would add the word NO at the beginning of your reply, to make it extra clear. “No, I’m sorry, she doesn’t like strangers”. But this woman thought it was about her and her special relationship with dogs that would mean Hannah doesn’t like strangers, but Hannah will like HER. Stupid.
ReplyDeleteI thought of Hannah on Saturday, when I saw her doppelgänger at a nearby protest. Miss Ghetti is very friendly and loves people, though, so I got to pet her.
I love bookstores…I try to go regularly, and I try to buy books sometimes to keep them going.
The tallest building I’ve been in lately has to be the observation tower we went up in Golden Gate Park at the museum.
Yes! I am so glad we went up to the observation tower. That was higher than the Capitol, that's for sure.
DeleteI’ve taught my boys to ask permission to pet a dog. The woman was the person who was in the wrong. You tried to tell her multiple times! That’s on her! If kids can figure it out, why can’t a gross *ss woman.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry to hear that your friend had concerning medical news. :(
I don't understand some adults, really. I get wanting to pet all the dogs, but if someone says now, you don't do it!
DeleteI haven't been to a book store in way too long. I saw an Advent calendar that's shaped like a book store and has little drawers that look like book spines - and I can't stop thinking about it - and I DO NOT need it...but I'm obsessed. It's way overpriced. I'm not ordering it. Thank you for listening to that little ramble!
ReplyDeleteI think you should order it! Everyone should get a fun Advent calendar!
DeleteEchoing what J said above--I think its a-ok to be super direct in these instances. Some people are completely oblivious/don't respect boundaries.
ReplyDelete"Can I pet your dog?"
"No."
Yes, I think I'm just going to start saying. "No, you can't pet her. She's mean. Thanks!" I don't know if I have it in me to be so direct, but I'm going to try.
DeletePeople who won’t listen to pet owners about how to approach their pets are just self-absorbed assholes (excuse my language!). I feel like one of the (few, small) ways in which I can recognize myself having become an adult is developing the self-control not to try to hug every dog I walk past. Because I want to! I really want to! But it’s not my dog and I don’t want to upset the dog, or mess up any kind of training the owner has been working on; I don’t want to encourage a dog to react or run to strangers. (Occasionally I pass someone walking their dog and as I go past I hear the owner praising the dog for not reacting to me/being still etc.) I’m so annoyed for you and Hannah!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely praise Hannah for not reacting. LOL. Because it so rarely happens!
DeleteI also want to hug/pet every dog that walks by, but I can't! Because not all dogs want it. *sigh* Thanks for validating my experience.
My opinion is that you are OBVIOUSLY not at fault when adults are stupid about your dog, but, based on my own experience, the encounters will always leave you feeling embarrassed and at fault, which means those adults are doubly assholish.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your friend and am sending fervent good wishes.
I've always found the children more respectful too - one reason why my hackles always go way up when people start ragging on 'young people these days' is that I have many more upsetting encounters with adults.
The kids are always so brokenhearted. But I don't want them to get bitten! They are respectful, though. I feel like it's good parenting when the kids take the no pretty well.
DeleteShe asked, and then didn't listen to your answer? There's something wrong with that woman. I'm always really careful to ask, and then if it is OK bring my hand down long underneath their chin which is less threatening. We have the opposite problem in that when Riley is off lead he has to go up to every other dog owner, say hello and get a pat, which I think is mainly because he is hoping someone will give him a treat. He will sit in front of people who he knows have something and beg.
ReplyDeleteI really hope your friend is OK.
If we ever get another dog (seems unlikely because they're so expensive), I want a friendly one. LOL. I can see how both are problematic in different ways. *sigh* Also, having a food motivated dog makes training so much easier. Hannah just doesn't care (and I wouldn't, either, if I could only eat what she eats) and she's very stubborn, so it's harder to get her to do things. Oh, well. Every dog is perfect in its own way.
DeleteI am angry on behalf of Hannah that this person did not listen to you. Why ask the question if you're not going to listen to the answer?! Ugh. When I had Dutch, I had to do the same because he was deaf and blind and very protective of me, so when someone came up to him that he didn't know, he immediately when into defense mode. That's just how some dogs are! You did the right thing. I'm sorry she didn't listen and it made you question yourself. You are a great dog mama and Hannah is rightfully wary of people!
ReplyDeleteLast time I was in a bookstore? Two weekends ago! I'm not sure the last time I climbed a tall building, though. I mean, probably when I did that stair climb. UGHHH.
That's a very good question, Stephany. Why ask if you don't care what the answer is?!
DeleteThe stair climb. I was thinking about that as we kept climbing higher and higher. LOL. It was probably eight flights (maybe? I don't know) and I was DYING. LOL. Imagine doing hundreds. (I cannot.)
I'm so sorry about your friend. I hope everything turns out okay.
ReplyDeleteMy granddog Zydrunas is like Hannah. He is part pit bull, however, so most people don't even ask, but when they do, they listen when we say no. That woman was an Idiot. And a lot of other things as well, but I choose to be decorous.
I prefer not to do tall buildings. The last time I was in a really tall building would have been when I was in...Chicago? The Willis building? But I didn't climb stairs to get to it. Stairs are not my friend lately at all.
The last time I was in a bookstore was when I was in my nephew's bookstore/record store/cafe. Here is a shameless plug: https://shiptoshorelorain.square.site/ just for family pride.
Arghhhhh people. I would love to pass people who actually know how their dog reacts like you do. I don't think you did anything wrong here.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry your friend is having a medical thing and I can only imagine how unsettling it is. Hope you both are ok.