Mr. Giggles

March 4

Here's what I would like to know: When did it become socially acceptable to bring dogs inside of buildings? You know...shopping malls, restaurants, schools, town hall, et cetera.

I'm a dog owner myself, so it's not as though I have a problem with the canine species, I'm just shocked with the sheer volume of these creatures. It used to be that every now and again you'd see some crazy lady pushing her dog--who happened to be dressed like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz--through Costco in a baby stroller. But lately, this dog-inside-of-buildings phenomenon has simply exploded.

I honestly think I've seen more dogs at town hall in the last week than I've seen on the Animal Channel. They've ranged from a Yorkie in a hand bag, to a hot dog wearing a cable knit sweater, to a Bull Mastiff whose tail had the same circumference as a coffee can. Usually, I think it's funny when Alex the Poodle trots by my desk, but today I really wasn't feeling the fluffy love.

Around nine o'clock this morning, a very stinky lady came into my office with a very stinky Chihuahua. If you want me to be quite honest, I thought the dog was straight-up repulsive, but in an effort to maintain my reputation as a loving human being I looked at the animal and said something goofy like, "Hi little guy." Well, apparently this creature was very interested in making new friends, because in one half of one second I found him sitting in my lap, horrible breath and all. As my cube-mate doubled-over in laughter, the Chihuahua hopped from my lap to my desk, and stood there happily as his owner conducted business with the permit coordinator.

I swear to high-heaven that Mr. Giggles (or whatever his name was) just stood on my stack of file folders and stared me in the face for several long minutes. I can lie, he really was entertaining. I wonder if he thought my co-worker and I were entertaining, too, with our periodic comments like, "I bet that I could fit in my file drawer." and "Are you afraid of heights?" and "I wonder if you would like to try flying."

Later in the day, I received a call from the state--a call I've been waiting for since two Tuesday's ago. Four minutes into our conversation, the noise level in our office was so elevated that I had to put my caller on hold and investigate the source of the ruckus. I don't know what I expected to find--a middle aged man who had fallen into quicksand, perhaps? But no, no. It was actually a basset hound and a bull dog who were engaged in all-out ruff n' tumble war in the lobby.

I guess I can't blame those dogs. If some one sniffed my rear while I was waiting in line for a building permit, I would have cause a commotion, too.

14 comments:

Grandma said...

I could just see you sitting there w/ that dog staring you down....and the lobby fight...funny to picture that one. I saw a dog in the baby seat of a grocery cart last week...and also saw one in a stroller -wearing the same print coat as its owner. ok so my dog wears a turquoise fleece coat w/ red piping, but the poor guy is almost 16 and gets cold....

John S. Maine said...

I have worked in Town and County Goverment all my life and have worked with allot of dogs. I mean seen dogs come in to the town hall!!!!

Danielle said...

The best was when I saw a woman with a dog in a Baby Bjorn-like carrier. I couldn't believe my eyes! Some people take things a bit too far...

akshaye said...

Haha! The part of town I live in is very dog friendly and so we see them everywhere. But then.. most of them look like they are way better groomed than I am, so I cant complain!

brooke said...

Why is a city government building overrun with animals? That's so weird.

carla said...

I never get that either.
as much as I, too, would LOVE to haul my SpecialNeedsBullmastiff with me everywhere I go.

C.

jed-laura said...

my co-worker has a dog he brings with him to work each day. The dog is even featured on our company website with his own feature page. I wonder what would happen if I brought my daughter with me to work every day? and had her sit on my lap during all the meetings?

Sarah said...

Hey Amy,
The color is Kennebunkport Green by Benjamin Moore. But you may find the color darker in person. I think the flash kind of washed it out. Good luck! (did you get the house?)

chattypatra said...

It used to be that only seeing-eye dogs were allowed in public places. I have no problem with that. The rest of the dogs...shoo!

I'm with Mr. Rhien on this one. If someone can bring their dog to work, then he can certainly bring his genius and cute as a button daughter! Go, Alli! Show them who's the boss!

Amy, you need a bottle of that dog repellant that keeps them from crossing a fenceless yard into the street. Spray it around you desk and work area, and you'll be FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

RosieReader said...

I'm guessing you took down today's post because it wasn't your intent to get found out, and my earlier comment let you know that was possible. Just to reassure you, I'm harmless. I'm not a blogger, so I can't sign in in a way that leaves a trail. And you don't, actually know me. Rest assured, I'm just a 47 year old mom from Seattle who fancies herself as somewhat athletic, and who found your blog a few months ago, I think when Half-Fast linked to your post about your husband's terrible treadmill fiasco. My daughters preferred the treadmill farting post a few weeks later.

Cheryl said...

I think one animal per workplace is just the right amount. Like Chaucer, the dog who used to live at the hardware store in Hampden, or the black lab who is always at the town office, or the cat that lives at the bookstore. But people should leave their pets at home or in the car when they go out to conduct business. And I can't stand Chihuahuas! Little ankle biters! :p

Anonymous said...

I have to say I've only seen one dog in a store recently, but it was a seeing eye dog for a blind man. I'm giggling at Danielle's comment about the dog in a Baby Bjorn. :)

P.O.M. said...

My crazy bat of a mother is one of those people that takes her dog EVERYWHERE! It's soooo irritating.

Amy said...

Rosie...No, I'm glad you let me know how easy it was. I don't know what I was thinking!!!!