children 'riding' a Newf

[sara722003]

Thankfully, someone recently wrote on NN about a terrible experience about some child deciding to 'mount' their newf and totally destroyed the poor dog's structure. Today at the dog park, 2 different, wired-up kids came running up to BossMan. I stayed next to him like a hawk. Both kids said 'can I ride him?' I told them that dog aren't built like horses, and they would seriously hurt my dog by putting their weight on his back. They decided I was probably correct and decided to shake their heads in agreement, but I was extremely concerned.

I owe thanks to the poor recent poster who had a devastating thing like this happen to their own dog. My heart goes out to you a million times, but thank you for alerting the rest of us. Heavens, young kids aren't even supposed to be IN our dog park. And of course parents, who bring kids to these parks, appear not to read the posted rules at each gates (or chose to ignore them), so you have to wonder.

All the same, my guys adore their 30 minute visits to the park. It wears them out like nothing else, and they'll happily sleep for 23 hours if I promise, promise to run them to the off leash park for their 'time'.

 

[Garden_girl]

Thankfully, someone recently wrote on NN about a terrible experience about some child deciding to 'mount' their newf and totally destroyed the poor dog's structure.

I owe thanks to the poor recent poster who had a devastating thing like this happen to their own dog. My heart goes out to you a million times, but thank you for alerting the rest of us.

Wow, if that was a recent post, I missed it.

I'm always so repulsed when someone yells out 'Ya got a saddle for that'?

 

[Pipelineozzy]

I like it better when the parents ask if their child can ride my dog. I usually smile and say, ok, but can my dog ride your child first? Since neither of them are horses..that seems like a fair trade to me....


The never want to comply ...

 

[baloobear2]

Cindy LMAO! That sounds like something I would quip up with. Grrr!

 

[charlieinnj]

I think you're referring to this message I posted that was a letter to Dear Abby:

http://www.newf.net/Forums/showthread.php?t=98768&highlight=ride+Newf

 

[sara722003]

Yes, Charlie, I'll bet that was what I had in mind. I knew I'd read it somewhere and was immediately alarmed by how thoughtless people can be (even if they are little kids and simply don't know better). Thanks for posting it as a reminder.

Cindy, your reply brought a laugh. I'll have to use it next time! Thanks all!

 

[LoveLandseers]

i like it better when the parents ask if their child can ride my dog. I usually smile and say, ok, but can my dog ride your child first? Since neither of them are horses..that seems like a fair trade to me....


The never want to comply ...

looveee it!

 

[NessaM]

Ugh, me too. Hate when someone asks me where the saddle is. Or worse, since Pooka wears a harness, it kind of looks like he's wearing a saddle, and then folks ask if that's his saddle and if I'm planning to ride him home - or they tell their kids, "look honey you could ride him." Um. No lady, NO ONE is riding my dog.

I smile politely but then I tell them it would break his back or ruin his hips to be sat upon by anyone, regardless of how light they are. Then I point out that the reason he's wearing a harness instead of a collar is because he has a degenerative neurological disease that will eventually lead to his death, and that I figure he's got enough on his plate with that - he doesn't need to be crippled also. Thank you so very much.

With most of the stuff folks tend to say about our newfs, I'm able to laugh politely even if I've heard it a billion times. I never joke about this.

 

[charlieinnj]

Yesterday, I drove the fur-kids to a nearby town so we could go for a nice long walk. When I opened the back of my SUV, I instructed them to 'stay' and I proceeded to lift each one out of the back of my vehicle and place them on the ground. A lady chimed in and said, "they sure look big enough to be able to jump down on their own...". I told her I wouldn't want them to jump three feet down onto the pavement and possibly hurt their back, etc.

Don't know why people can't mind their own business.....

 

[NessaM]

Charlie - get a set of steps! They're the BEST for weeding out mouth-breathing busybodies from dog lovers! The first will crack some sort of joke while you're opening the steps up and setting them against the back of the car. "What have you got back there? A miniature elephant? Harr harr harr..."

The second group will beg you to tell them where you got the steps, because they have an 'elderly german shepherd/golden retriever/king poodle/etc at home who could totally use a set of steps like those...'

 

[sara722003]

Nessa put me onto these steps and my hubby bought them for me last Sept for my birthday. BossMan's joints will forever be in her due. These things are GREAT!

I bought the alum set with 4 steps. I'm 57 or so and can manage them just fine!

www.petloader.com

 

[Ocean's Edge]

I must admit to being one of those people who quietly sniggered to myself when I'd see a little dog in a stroller... thinking 'How Paris Hilton' or just plain 'How silly'

Then I happened to click on a dog stroller link in FB one day
http://www.dogquality.com/

And I quickly stopped sniggering... Simmie when he passed was old and arthritic, but he could still get around, otherwise it really wasn't a subject I'd had much occasion to think about. Once I did, I thought it was wonderful that there ARE companies out there making mobility assistance devices for elderly and otherwise mobility restricted dogs.

Bless em