What is it with people??!!

[Lyn]

I'm getting angry and frustrated with people that come into MY home and treat Bubba like crap. Yes he slobbers AND he sheds.. but they know that before they even walk in the door. Then they expect me to lock Bubba up somewhere so he doesn't get slobber/hair on their clothes. I can see if he's jumping on them or nipping or something.. but it's not Bubba's fault that he drools and sheds.. geez. 

My sister in laws friend litterally refused to sit down the entire time she was here. And if god forbid Bubba walked up to her she freaked. ""GET AWAY FROM ME"" EWWWW, HE'S GOING TO GET SLOBBER ON ME!"" and she'd push him away. I got so mad that I told her to get the bleep out. And she went and waited in the car. 

I realize the slobber can be gross, I admit sometimes my stomach turns when he leaves a string of drool with food or god knows what stuck in it. But it's like these people think I can turn off the tap. LOL Luckily MOST of our company don't mind since they realize it's just a breed trait.

I can't wait to see the look on these people's faces when they hear we are getting another Saint.. and we are hopefully before the end of this year.. They can get slimed from both sides. Muhahaha

[Kiahpyr]

Poor Bubba! Give him a great big hug and kiss from me. Your auntie April loves you and would never push you away.

[GR8DAME]

I'm with you, Lyn. As far as I am concerned my dogs live here and I probably like them a whole lot more than I like the company, so.....
After the first visit people either adjust (or at least make an effort to) or don't come back. I am just onery enough that either way is fine with me.
I have confined my dogs to a separate room if someone is honestly frightened of large dogs, because they can be overwhelming and I can understand that. But if the issue is someone being a priss...Don't let the doorknob hit you where the good Lord split you on your way out the door.
Stella

[aggghgmom]

Poor Bubba!!!  how can you not want to wrap your arms around him? 
he is the sweetest looking baby.   My niece and nephew don't like animals and whenever Harley is at my MIL/FIL for family events they make it quite clear that he is to stay away from them and he LOVES everyone!!  It hurts his little doggie feelings

[Lyn]

Forgot to mention.. If someone was afraid of him I would most definitely remove him. Just out of courtesy since he can be a bit over-excited when people first come in the door. Someone afraid of dogs would probably have a heart-attack. I also had an Aunt and Uncle visit a few weeks ago, they just came from church and were all dressed up. My uncle wouldn't have appreciated slobber on his nicely pressed suit. LOL So in that instance I did put Bubba in my bedroom.

Although I've noticed that most of the people that freak out over slobber/hair are neat freaks. Mainly woman. The guys all laugh and say things like 'Oh that's a good one' LOL

Edit!! Another thing I forgot to mention. Actually more of a question. When Bubba was little 9-12 weeks old he got TONS of attention where ever we went. Now people will cross to the other side of the road or just point at him from afar. The only people that will stop to pet Bubba and talk are people that currently own Saints or have had one before. I never had this problem when I owned smaller dogs. We could at least walk past people then without them running for the other side of the road. Just curious if other big paw owners have noticed the same treatment?

[Anky]

Edit!! Another thing I forgot to mention. Actually more of a question. When Bubba was little 9-12 weeks old he got TONS of attention where ever we went. Now people will cross to the other side of the road or just point at him from afar. The only people that will stop to pet Bubba and talk are people that currently own Saints or have had one before. I never had this problem when I owned smaller dogs. We could at least walk past people then without them running for the other side of the road. Just curious if other big paw owners have noticed the same treatment?

I think it's all about stereotypes.  The good guy always wears white and the bad guy black.  All puppies are cute and adorable.  All big dogs are either mean or icky (Drool, jumpy ect).    Floppy ears dogs are sweet and prick eared dogs are nasty.  The only people who know better, are the people who know from personal experience. 

[moonlitcroatia]

Well, I'm afraid of people and so it Betti, so we don't mind if they remove themselves from our environment. 

[Perdi's Mom]

I always walk towards a big dog to love on it  !  I rarely walk over to little dogs...too yappy for me and never fails that the darling things won't have any manners...I've even been peed on by an adult toy dog in all it's excitement 

[nostaw]

I hate to say how antisocial I am.

My attitude is that my dogs are family and if you don't like my family don't come!!

I have a dog free room for folk that want to sit and talk without being bothered but I consider it manners to at least say hello to my dogs when you visit.

But then Liz says I prefer dogs to people anyway..

Andy, Bell and Hovis

[Newf Lover]

I love when people do the "petting-but-standing-as-far-away-as-possible" thing with Drake because they are so afraid of getting his drool or hair on them.  It's pretty funny and I laugh every time.  I think as long as your dog is well behaved and doesn't constantly molest anybody who's around them, there's no cause for complaint.  Some people just aren't dog people, that's their perogative.  It's just unbelieveable to me and Sarah though.  We tie Drake up outside our gym when we go to spin class and we can see every person who walks by him.  Some people melt and spend several minutes petting and hugging him, other people walk right by him as if he wasn't even there.  How can you possibly walk by a cute, fuzzy 130 lb. Newfoundland without blinking an eye?  It's unbelieveable. ...  but that's Marin for you, odd folks.

[chaos270]

I love big paws and I wouldn't want people like that dealing with Kali anyway.  My brother's best friend was terrified of dogs after being bitten as a child but after two weeks of being scared of Kali, she got over it and now hugs Kali everytime she comes over.  And there are dog free areas in our house for people but it's generally necessary for you to accept the critters to visit.
   Then there are the people who ignore you when you say the dog will bite.  That's the situation with Lacey.  She looks inviting but if your not one of her favored people she may bite if you try to touch her.  And no matter how many times we have told people they try to invade her space and being an aussie she'll go to nip.  She's the type that you have to go to her.

[Icerotti]

Oh Bubba you can come here and drool on us all you want--you big handsome boy.
Most people are really afraid of Puck and they do cross the street when they see him coming     Dennis always puts the dogs away in another room. I hate it . If they don't like our dogs--don't come over.

[Yaz]

Oh, don't get me started, Lynn on the rudeness of people - especially dog owners! This weekend at the dog park with Gershwin we crossed paths with a couple pushing a stroller and they had a six year old lab. They looked at Gershwin and first said 'oh isn't he cute!' and then the mother said 'oh, does he drool?' and I replied 'Yup - just like your baby.' without missing a beat. They were a bit nonplussed but then started asking other questions.
I have ZERO patience left to play the 'let-us-treat-this-dog-like-it-is-a-strange-beast' game that people seem to want to play with big dogs. Another lab owner (what is up with lab owners, lately?) said straight to my face 'ugh, no drool allowed in my house.' and I didn't pull any punches when I replied 'Yes, you should not own a Saint Bernard if you are anal retentive.'
I know I might sound harsh with my responses but it blows my mind how Saints are not considered dogs. 'How big will that THING get?' 'Look at the paws on IT!'
I would never dream of insulting someone else's dog, but it is open season for big dog owners so many times.
On a lighter note, my husband Gil was walking Gershwin and as the pup stopped to do his business a man with a Jack Russel turned the corner and started chatting to Gil about Gershwin. When Gil went to go clean up Gershwin's poop the man said 'God, look at the amount of poop that thing does! My Jack Russel poops twice a day and way less than that.' Without missing a beat Gil replied 'But you still have to bend down to pick it up.'
HEE! HEE!

[chaosndestruction]

I work with labs and i've seen some that drool MORE than some of the saints i've met!>.<

People are frustrating... .

[Magnus]

I thought of this when I first read this topic and recently came across it again.  I definitely need to get this printed up in our home.

To pacify you my dear pets, I have posted the following message on
our front door:

Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain About Our
Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.

2. If you don't want hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
(That's why they call it "fur"niture.)

3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter
who is short, hairy, walks on all fours, and does not speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they: eat less,
don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come
when called, never drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using
friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry about having to buy the
latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, don't need a gazillion
dollars for college, and if they get pregnant, you can sell their
children!