SNAP JUDGMENTS
While I was at work, I received a call from the doggie day care where our dog, Phoebe, had been going for several months. The worker regretfully informed me that Phoebe had been expelled from daycare and would not be allowed back. When I asked the worker what Phoebe had done, I was told that she was growling and snapping at other dogs. I was mortified. Since then, I have noticed she snarls and snaps at any dog that comes around her…especially ones she’s never met. She has one or two dogs she is fine around, but for the most part, she strongly dislikes other dogs. Isn’t Phoebe like we humans? We have the people we like to be around. But if someone new or different comes on the scene, we proceed with caution. Sometimes we may even take a strong dislike for no particular reason or based on religion, skin color, or anything else that we don’t agree with or like. We may not snarl and bite, but we do ...