Dogs

I don't hate them, but the feeling of affection is gradually reducing. I'm talking about the spurt in the number of dogs where I live. They just seem to be mushrooming! On my way to the market and back, I'm almost always followed by a street dog. Maybe I'm just imagining they are following me, because there are so many!

Whatever! The idea of a dog coming close to me and sniffing on my groceries or, more likely milk container, is not pleasant. Sometimes, they stand in the middle of the road and I'm left wondering which corner to take to escape their sudden movements, because it's definitely going to affect my heart-beat.

Mom is so scared of them she would not visit her best friend's home for ages because they had a dog. But ofcourse he was one of the best I've met. He was so disciplined that if you gave him some namkeen to eat on a piece on paper, not even a single piece of food would fall out!

Anyway, back to my problem! I don't know what to do about it. I know dogs have groups too and one group guards against the other, maybe there are just watching out for rivals and I just happen to be in the way. Yes, I've also been told how they act in defence... well, thanks mate but if he jumps at me (which has happened), I'm not really going to be inclined to think it was in defence! Once I was standing at my house gate wating for the door to be opened when a neighbour's dog ran towards me and started chewing on my jute bag. I froze and tried to snatch it back. His owner lovingly called to him, kya kar raha hai, kyun khel raha hai unke bag ke saath, chod de - thankfully, the dog made a retreat. Very funny Mr Neighbour, it could have been my leg next! The dog was so cute, a very good breed, but I'm determined to avoid him now. (By the way, he's become so big now, almost like a giraffe).

I must reiterate I don't hate dogs. I love puppies and have them on my desktop. Mum doesn't even like the Raymond advertisement featuring the oh-so-cute doggies!! But the idea of a dog without a leash just scares me, however cute! I walk through, trying my best not to 'disturb' them and I never do anything to 'antagonise' them, but the fear remains. People who keep pets should understand this and take them out on a leash rather than being rude or simply ignorant to those who are scared. About street dogs...well, I'm wondering what can be done.