Pingers

Pingers are my worst nightmare. They're the people who go down to the park with their dogs, huddle in the middle and throw balls with those plastic pingers over and over again whilst chatting to their mates.

The concept of actually walking their dogs, has clearly never occurred to them. And for the most part, their fluffy companions are only capable of fetching the never-ending stream of balls and bringing them back. There's nothing else in their lives, poor things.

Invariably when Dolly and I turn up, the other dogs either spin round and sprint for her, or crouch and creep towards us, ready to pounce. Either way, the pinging owners see the change in behaviour and begin to call their dogs back; "Fluffy! Fluffy! Here Fluffy! Fluffy? FLUFFY!!" Fluffy takes no notice whatsoever.

In the meantime Dolly sees another dog (or dogs) bounding towards her, or about to pounce, doubles in size as her fur puffs out to the max and braces herself for whatever's coming. It's at this point that the pingers, who are still being ignored by their dogs, start to creep up behind them in the hope of catching them and putting them on the lead. Looking over Fluffy's head they ask me; "Will she attack?" And I answer; "No, she's a puppy and she's terrified, because your dog is running at her face"

Sometimes, if it's quiet and the other dog looks calm, I'll let Dolly off for a play. Yesterday she recalled beautifully from an older greyhound so I thought I'd risk it. The greyhound promptly attacked her. The standard response from the pinging dog owner to this (regular) occurrence is "He never usually does that." Yeah right.

Yesterday was a classic. We got to the park and had to walk across it to get back to the car park. Some young pingers with a bulldog and yet another fluffy thing appeared at the far end. Now I already know these dogs - the bulldog is young and never comes back, he's a face runner. The fluff ball is a croucher. Keeping Dolly on the long line we made our way towards the group, Dolly hugely excited and wanting to play. Of course I could have let her off to jump on owners and dogs alike, but decided to take the moral high ground and keep her on the lead.

Both the other dogs immediately ran/crouched according to type (see above). "FLUFFY!!!" Screeched one of the owners. "FLUFFY!!" I can't remember their names, sorry. "FLUFFY?!!! HERE FLUFFY! FLUFFY, FLUFFY, FLUFFY, FLUFFY!"

Fluffies one and two continue to run/creep so the owner moves onto bribery. "FLUFFY, LOOK WHAT I'VE GOT! LOOK WHAT I'VE GOT!" Waving the pinger, holding out treats..."HERE FLUFFY!!!" Nothing.

And then, in total desperation, here it came; "FLUFFY! ILOVEYOUILOVEYOUILOVEYOUCOMEHEREHEREHERELOOKWHATI'VEGOT.....GOOD BOY!!

I disentangle Dolly from the two dogs and we walk away from the scene. Dolly disappointed, and I traumatised.



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