Just thwap me, please

I took Taenzer in to the vet yesterday--no big deal; it was a socialization visit--I got to thinking that it's been a while since she was there, and after the horrendous experiences she had at the other vet, I think it's a good idea to take her in every so often and have nothing at all happen to her, except to get petted and fed treats. It would be better if I could take her in two or three times a week, but once every couple of months is better than nothing.

Even though there weren't many people there, the place was still a madhouse, so we just sat out in the waiting room, and every so often I'd give her a treat (a dog who can take a treat still has its brain turned on) and told her what a good girl she was.

Eventually this elderly lady came out of one of the exam rooms and set about writing her check and ordering some food. Taenzer wanted to say hello and I checked to be sure it was okay--some people are afraid of "big" dogs, but this lady was fine. So we got to chatting about dogs and she told me how she always used to have big dogs but just couldn't handle them any more so now she had a min-pin, and he was just so feisty.

About this point this big hefty guy comes down the hall with a plastic airline carrier, out of which was coming a sound exactly like the Tasmanian Devil in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons. "That's my dog," the lady said apologetically as he bore his cargo out the door, "he's so feisty, but that's just the way they are."

Now, one of my pet peeves is people who have little dogs who are holy terrors in one way or another--fearful, aggressive, fear-aggressive, or just plain rude like a 2-year-old kid without parents--and who either think Widdle Twiddles is just the cutest thing or else that "that's just the way they are." I just smiled and said nothing, but if the time ever comes that I'm no longer able to have German Shepherds and decide to have a small dog and don't teach it at least basic manners, I want someone to whap me upside the head, find another home for the dog, and give me a cat.

(I'm fully aware there are some people who might think now is the time for me to be thwapped, for the dogs to find new homes, and for me to have a cat, but honest--they're only dervishes when there's company in the house--alone with me or out in public they're very very good. Truly!)

Taenzer, btw, was convinced that the weighing machine was going to swallow her whole, but allowed herself to be coaxed aboard, and weighs all of 66 pounds. I wish I were as svelte and athletic as she is.