I just finished posting this on another board, but I'm just so upset right now, I need to vent some more. I've copied and pasted it from the other board.
Okay, so we go to the dog park, and things are going pretty well. Everyone is running around and having a good time (well, except N&P who are on leashes and moaning about it the whole time).
I see a couple of bassetts heading our way and I was like "aaawwwee, just look at those ears flapping in the breeze" as they ran down the hill. A kid came down with them, with the mom trailing behind. (do you know where this is going yet?)
Some of you have probably heard me mention on here before how Gunther is afraid of children, particularly b/t the ages of 5 and 12 (this one was around 10). I was watching the one bassett, who N&P were saying hello to. Gunther was standing a few feet in front of me, facing me. Suddenly, the kid runs w/i about a foot of Gunther and scares him. He kind of shimmies over to my mom and barks at the people standing next to her (probably thinking it was them).
Now I was willing to give the kid the benefit of the doubt the first time, as kids naturally run around. But then he comes running right by us again, actually looking at Gunther to see what he would do. Well, Gunther sees who is doing the running and runs at the boy, barking. The kid runs behind a large bush and teases Gunther, running from one side to the other. I call Gunther over, and he obliges. Next to this bush is a wooden slat fence which separates the lake from the rest of the dog park. The kid goes on the other side of the fence and makes faces at Gunther. Gunther runs over there barking again. I call him back again.
The kid then jumps the fence, and Gunther goes off. He runs at the boy, barking in his face and lunging at him with teeth bared (but not biting him, thank God, and thank goodness I was one of the few people to see this b/c the bush was in the way). I once more call Gunther and he comes over. This time I put him in a down stay. Keep in mind the whole time the mother is doing nothing other than yelling at the boy, who obviously wasn't listening to anything she said.
The people we were talking to before this all happened (who had a very nice german shepherd, btw) asked if he was okay. I told them he was afraid of children. The mom, who was also sitting there asked how long I've had him, and I told her since he was 12 wks. He wasn't abused, he just doesn't like their behaviors (I dont' really blame him). At one point the boy comes up again FROM BEHIND and tries to pet Gunther and I have to grab his collar and keep him from seeing the boy. I was hoping these people were just passing thru, since they had a pit mix with sore feet but after a few minutes we left to the little dog park.
We were having a blast. Another person with 2 small dogs came to play, and I talked with a bouvier des flandres owner on the other side of the fence when she passed. I kept my eyes open in case that family was going to pass our way. They did. I saw them first and grabbed Gunther's collar. He then saw them and started growling and huffing. Then, if you can believe this, the stupid motherf-ing boy started climbing the fence to come into our area!!!!!! (WTF!!) The mom just yells at him and continues on her way. My mom said, "I wouldn't advise that if I were you", but he doesn't listen and jumps in. My mom finally goes over there and tells him to get out of here! Go on, get out! He finally leaves. Gunther kept a close watch in the direction they left for the whole rest of the time we were there.
GOD, I just can't understand some people! What is wrong with that mother? If your kid isn't behaving, then leave. I can't blame my dog for your kid's bad behavior, and if he gets bit, I have witnesses who saw what happened. I just hope this hasn't ruined Gunther's impression of young boys (especially black kids, as this kid was black, or 1/2 black). He did so well at the parade yesterday.
AAAAAAAAAAAARR RRRRRRRRGGGGGG GGGGHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!
chris