Just kidding, I know it’s spelled “tales”, but that’s a good pun! Also, the title has a double meaning. Most people would just be like “oh, your dog is reactive, got it”. What happens when the dog mom is also reactive? Ha! My anxiety from having a “poorly behaved dog” seems to get in the way. I twitch a little when I hear keys jingle, even if I’m not with my dog, in case it is a dog collar/leash jingling. I’m always looking around on walks, looking for escape routes in case I see a dog. And the worst part is? Sometimes I forget to see my dog for who she really is. A dog who really means well and really is one of the sweetest dogs, but is scared and unconfident and doesn’t know what to do when she sees other dogs.
I am around her reactivity so much that I sometimes forget how other people see her. And I forget just how much progress she’s made. She’s just a sweet, unassuming, really beautiful dog who likes to sniff the grass and look at squirrels. Sometimes all I see is her lunging and barking at other dogs, and then I feel the wave of shame of not being a good enough dog mom. I feel guilt for scaring people (she is a large dog who looks like Sirius Black when he transforms), I feel embarrassment that they’re judging me for not being a good dog mom. I feel stupid. I feel judged. I always yell “sorry!” while I’m dragging her away.
