Almost Nothing Can Piss Me Off More...

[Fierce Critter]

... than someone saying, in any way, that I do NOT take care of or that I mistreat animals.

And someone did today.

I was having a VERY frustrating day. Doing some stuff for my parents that wasn't going right. Having to deal with "parent" stuff that can be really trying to the patience. Spending 4 hours doing something that I thought would only take 1. I was hot. Uncomfortable. Not getting to places I needed to in time. Lots of bull like that.

I had Oakley, our German Shepherd, with me today. We've been trying to take him on the road with us more these days when we're making quick trips, to get him some out-of-the house time and activity. He always gets a treat when we go out (today he got a burger), and we try to take him places that he can come with us, like PetSmart. If I'm going to be out when I know I'll be in a store or something for a long time, however, I don't bring him so he doesn't have to sit in the minivan too long by himself.

Anyway, so after all this is going on, I make a stop at a store where I spent about 20 minutes or so. Temperature was around 67 degrees out. I had the back windows of the van open, and it was still cool enough that there was absolutely ZERO risk of Oakley overheating in the van.

I'm about to get into the van when I hear someone say, "Excuse me, ma'am?" I look up, and there's a woman getting into a brand-new, super-size truck in front of where I'm parked. I say, "yes?" and despite my crappy day thusfar I smile at her. And she says to me, "Do you frequently leave your dog in a hot car without the windows down for him?"

BAD FUCKING TIMING.

I looked at her. And said, "The back windows are open. It is not hot out, and I take very good care of my dog, thank you very much. I am NOT in the mood for this. Have a good day" while she tried to talk over me about how hot it was out and how I'm mistreating Oakley.

DO NOT FUCKING TELL ME - EVER - THAT I MISTREAT MY ANIMALS. OR ANY ANIMAL FOR THAT MATTER.

I got into that van and it was downright COOL. Oakley was kicking it and relaxing, not even panting. She drives off in her $30,000 fucking gas-guzzler truck with all the Jesus stickers on the back window, I'm sure to go tell her family about the "horrible woman she confronted with the 15-year old POS van and the abused dog."

When it is hot out, Oakley stays HOME. In the air conditioning. If it's not too bad out, he comes with. And if it's decently warm or sunny, the back vent windows are open, the middle windows are also open, and the front windows will be cracked enough that he gets air, but can't get out of the van.

Another reason I hesitate to take him with us if I have to open the front windows is because I am actually afraid that someone will steal him. He's too friendly, and with open front windows, anyone can hanger the door locks and take him.

This just really pissed me off. I don't lose patience easily. I tend to take things in stride. Sometimes I can see things like this as just someone trying to be a "concerned citizen." But this was the WRONG TIME, WRONG ATTITUDE, WRONG PLACE.

Sigh.

I have taken in over 20 cats over the years and kept or rehomed all of them. I have a rabbit that is now 8 years old who was marked "fur or food" at the state fair. He wasn't the rabbit I intended to get, but I couldn't let him get skinned or eaten. I have rescued countless birds, a baby squirrel, a baby beaver, numerous stray dogs, etc. I've spent money I didn't have to take care of an animal before I took care of myself. I have considered kidnapping dogs from homes where they were obviously neglected or abused.

Sigh. Sorry for the rant. I just had to spew.

[Brenda Starrr]

Want me to hunt her down? I'm in the mood.....

[Msterbeau]

Want me to hunt her down? I'm in the mood.....

I call shotgun. And I'll bring one too.

[SuZQZ]

Yes, let's go find this woman and have a "chat".

FC, I'm sorry you had to hear this bull from this woman. No, it was not hot enough out today, even if you had all of the windows closed, for Oakley to suffer from heat. I have a black vehicle that was closed up and in full sun all day. When I climbed into it at 3 pm it was cool inside. Another instance of someone just looking for a reason to climb on a soapbox, even if it's a far stretch. Ignorance, it seems to be running rampant at times.

[creatureofthenyte]

Just don't go gettin yerself arrested over somethin like that. I'm sorry to hear you had to deal with an overzealous biblethumper. You handled it well though.

[slingerlandstyx]

^ What he said. ^

Did you get a plate #? I'm sure there's at least one or two people on here who would know somebody who could track it down. :-P

[Fierce Critter]

I've calmed down by now.

It's just so disheartening, and an incredible slap to the face, for anyone to accuse me of all people of any sort of mistreatment of animals.

I'd like to think that if she'd have caught me in a less cranky and frustrated mood, I might have been more receptive of her supposed good intentions. But truthfully? Probably not. I just do not deal well with unjustified and unfounded accusations of this sort. It's just too freaking ludicrous, considering my history with animals.

I mean, come on. I've actually had to work on my tendency to let myself be uncomfortable rather than, say, turn over in bed and possibly dislodge a comfortably snoozing cat - or four - crowding my legs.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

You in particular it I'm sure it is (or was) frustrating X100. It would irk me (if i was in my happy place) and probably really piss me off if i wasn't. But i know you especially are fond of animals and take good care of many of them. Bad timing and definitely the wrong person to talk to about such things. Do you know i run an in-house animal shelter? Do i need to show you my credentials? ...random person that I'm about to tell to piss off?

I'm surprised anyone said anything really, people seem to not give a dang all that much, or at least not enough to mention anything to people they don't know, about anything anyone does that doesn't directly effect them.

At least your past the main irritation of it now. I have certain subjects that i tend to get upset about, and even after i've calmed down, thinking that someone MIGHT think i was being careless about XYZ , would still burn me even after i'd gone to my zen place about it later on.

[Soulrev]

Try not to let what people say to you, get to you. Especially some dumb bimbo you don't even know. You'll never see her again and you know you weren't in the wrong so don't let it bother you. No need to get upset over an encounter with one of the millions of dumbasses out there these days.

I hate people who butt in on a complete stranger's business. What the fuck right does she have to say anything to you? If people would just mind their own fucking business these days the world would be a better place. Oh well.. Like I said, stay cool, FC, you know you're a good person and that's all that matters. Fuck everyone else's opinions.

[freydis]

people are so irritating.

[Brenda Starrr]

Yes, let's go find this woman and have a "chat".

.

OOH! I know "sign language."

[Miranda]

Something about today... today is shit. I have been out and it is NOT even that warm. It's perfect. Some people just need to mind their own business. It's people like this woman who get hurt/killed by strangers for not minding their own... I do NOT condone that type of behavior but one day you mess with the wrong person, and that's all.

[Msterbeau]

To play devil's advocate... Those of you saying mind your own business, would you rather that people ignored potentially life threatening or harmful situations or would you rather deal with the fact that people sometimes misjudge these sorts of things but at least someone gave a shit? Yeah... Some people go overboard and it's annoying, but I can't help but think the alternative is worse. This woman should have just had turned on her brain before accusing Camille like she did.

[Fierce Critter]

Marc does make a good point.

I myself have occasionally stuck my nose in other's business if I think it's truly for the best. Usually in the mode of pointing out a better cat food or kitty litter someone could be buying for the same price elsewhere, that sort of mundane situation.

It's a fine dance, this sort of thing. So many times, I worry I would just be making things worse for the animal/child/whomever I see being treated less than appropriately.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

*moment of fame* comes to mind.

I mean... the woman nay not have been activly thinking it... but with all thekids that get left in cars now.. and the all the attention poured onto someone who rescues a child left in a car... She prolly let her inner media star take over her thought process.

[Miranda]

Well, you definitely cannot have it both ways. You either want people's opinions and comments or you are on your own. In these situations, you can't really have it both ways.

[Homicidalheathen]

take a pic of her plate number with you cell next time......not that I have done that or anything, you know, just sayin.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

To play devil's advocate... Those of you saying mind your own business, would you rather that people ignored potentially life threatening or harmful situations or would you rather deal with the fact that people sometimes misjudge these sorts of things but at least someone gave a shit? Yeah... Some people go overboard and it's annoying, but I can't help but think the alternative is worse. This woman should have just had turned on her brain before accusing Camille like she did.

Marc does make a good point.

I myself have occasionally stuck my nose in other's business if I think it's truly for the best. Usually in the mode of pointing out a better cat food or kitty litter someone could be buying for the same price elsewhere, that sort of mundane situation.

It's a fine dance, this sort of thing. So many times, I worry I would just be making things worse for the animal/child/whomever I see being treated less than appropriately.

This is good stuff. I really was mostly thinking this when i first read what critter posted. But my empathy cells seemed more important than my need to give the other lady a bit of potential backup. People just "minding their own business" is often a recipe for disaster. Even if some of them have bad tact.

I just felt sort of an inner need to back/support critter, over my need for debate.

[Fierce Critter]

This is good stuff. I really was mostly thinking this when i first read what critter posted. But my empathy cells seemed more important than my need to give the other lady a bit of potential backup. People just "minding their own business" is often a recipe for disaster. Even if some of them have bad tact.

I just felt sort of an inner need to back/support critter, over my need for debate.

You know, I noticed that. And I appreciated it more than you might know.

Yesterday was a shit day. And even after all that I detailed in my original post was over, the day continued to be shitty, and in some ways, got even worse.

I've been going through some massive life shit for some time that I haven't been able to get into on DGN due to my respecting the privacy of people in my life. Suffice it to say that there are daily struggles that have been sapping my energy, motivation, optimism and overall good nature for some time now. And it's not going to end anytime soon.

I've had a lot of "eggshell" days, a lot of anxiety and negative anticipation ruling my thoughts and emotions. My nerves never used to run this raw, and sometimes I'm actually scared of what I might do if someone really pushes me too far one day. It's one reason I'm so fucking reclusive lately. I just don't have the energy to deal with people outside of my exceptionally small, immediate social circle these days.

If you notice, I posted my "I'm calm now" post at 2:48 a.m. It took me that long to come down off the day's events and be able to look at things from all sides reasonably. I'm still pissed that this moron didn't really look at conditions before making her judgment and dared to hit me with something particularly sensitive to my core being. I might be a touch sensitive also to the possibility that I might have been judged due to appearances. Like I said, I'm driving a pretty shabby 1995 minivan right now with a horrendous belt squeal that just screams "POOR PERSON!", I didn't have makeup on, my hair was just sorta shoved into place and I probably had scuzzy, "running out to do errands" clothes on. She was well-coiffed, manicured, well-dressed, driving a huge, gleaming new super-truck, and just reeking of superiority.

No, things aren't all fine and dandy for me right now. And incidents like yesterday are one reason I just feel "safer" staying home these days.

It made me feel really supported and understood when everybody was posting their short suggestions of retribution. Enabled me to step back from the situation and see things from a reasonable perspective. So I really appreciate it, everyone.

Just one more reason I need and appreciate DGN.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

The chaos, or even just the regularness of life just feels to fucking much of a pain in the ass sometimes. It's almost something approximating what the character of Calamity Jane in Deadwood said when she was having some serious life/emotional problems "Every day takes learning how to live all over again." (tone of voice is important there). Often i feel like i've got my life and stress / anxiety / other issues under control... next thing i know something happens and i almost feel right back at square one again. Sort of like the universe reminding me I'm not so sharp or in control as i thought i was.

My only real offering can be empathy. And a suggestion that you try and get your daily allotment of hugs (real life ones from people close).

[EnViOuSPoPpEt]

Oh wow.. In a way I understand where she might have been coming from, but it wasn't even hot or remotley warm that day.. yes the sun was out, and such, but it was not 90 degree weather. In that case she would proably have every right to approach you and tell you that it's not right to leave your dog in the car(not that you would). Since she was so very well maintained you should have said to her.

Well it would be so kind of you to care so much about my dog, but maybe you should think of all thouse Pollar Bears that your killing by driving your brand new SUV, and also getting ur pampering done while children in 3rd world countries are dying of hunger. I'm sure her jaw would have dropped.

And also people who are going to church are the biggest sinners .. I can worship my god and religion without decaling my car with jeasus stickers and listening to a child molesting priest...

[TygerLili]

Well, at least you managed to be somewhat polite to her. I'd have probably told her to f-off and used some of Brenda's sign language. Don't you love how people always seem to manage to kick you when you're down?

Unless you're witness to unmistakable child or animal abuse, it really think that as a stranger you should mind your own business. I'm sure we've all seen the parents in Walmart slapping or screaming at their children and cringed, but we really don't know what's going on there, and butting into a situation where you don't have all the information is pretty risky. Now if you see a friend or family member doing something potentially abusive to a child or animal, that's a completely different story.

*edited because I forgot the question mark and it was bothering me*