Yesterday, we left home at 7 am to drive up to Purdue for Emmett’s next round of tests.
He was having blood work, x-rays, and an ultrasound as part of his chemo check-up. His appointment was at 9:30, but then the tests were spaced throughout the day, so we had to leave him there all day (which I hate).
So, I’m going to skip ahead to the end: We got great results! No progression of disease, which is what we hope for. He does still have that gall bladder sludge, but it hasn’t changed since his last checkup. His ALT levels went up again, but his oncologist said she isn’t worried about it yet. We’re having his labs run again in four weeks to see if that’s changing at all, then he’ll go back to Purdue in 10 weeks to repeat the ultrasound.
All in all, it was what we wanted to hear!
This post isn’t really about that, though. Today, I want to tell you about the interesting experience we had in the lobby.
We arrived after a nearly 2-and-a-half-hour drive and got checked in. The lobby was already pretty packed, but there were two seats together at the far end near the restrooms.
We sat down, and John got up to run to the bathroom. Simultaneously, the woman across from us had returned from handing in her paperwork. When John walked away, Emmett had turned to watch him go, sticking his butt in front of this lady’s chair.
“Can I sit down?” she asked.
“Oh! Sorry!” I said. I called Emmett’s name to get him to turn toward me, thus swinging his butt away from her chair. But she didn’t move. She stood right in between and just looked at me.
“Can I walk past?” she asked.
In that moment, I honestly didn’t register anything weird. I was confused. I looked, and she had more than a few feet in between my chair and hers, and she was thin. I thought she wanted me to scootch my chair, though, so I started to shift, and she said, “Is he aggressive?” She pointed at Emmett and took a small step backward.
Lightbulb.
“Oh! No! He’s very friendly. He really loves everyone,” I said. The woman didn’t trust my response. She walked around the bank of chairs to come at her seat from the opposite side, the side furthest from Emmett.
She sat down and stared at him. “He’s a pit, right?”
I replied something about him being a pit/hound mix, and she said, “He’s not aggressive unless dogs are around, right?”
I looked around the lobby. There were literally dogs everywhere, and Emmett was just lounging at my feet wagging his tail at this woman.
“Nope,” I replied. “He’s great with dogs. He really does love everyone: kids, dogs, we even have a cat. In fact, he recently retired from working with kids as a therapy dog. He’s a lover!”
She asked, “So, you trust him?”
“One hundred percent.”
No reply.
John came back from the bathroom and sat down. He glanced at the woman, who was so clearly uncomfortable – she had her arms crossed and her legs tucked under her chair, and didn’t take her eyes off of Emmett – and gave me a look. “I’ll tell you later,” I said. Right then, then tech came over to collect Emmett. He wagged and kissed her and trotted off after her, despite having never met her before.
We left.
The woman wasn’t there when we came back to pick Em up.
Hopefully his nonstop wagging was able to put a tiny little chip in her armor, but who knows…
But that?
That is why we need Pit Bull Awareness Month.
Three things
Seriously? Someone thought EMMETT was aggressive? Sigh.
Right?!?!
That makes me sad. Sad that people can be so ignorant not just of dogs and breed but if even just reading body language.
Such an excellent point!! He was giving a million open, happy signals. Perhaps her judgment was clouded because of her fear?
She seems a lot more aggressive / dangerous than Emmett ever would be!
It’s just sad. Think of all the wonderful dogs she’ll never get to meet!
Wow, just wow. I feel very sad for her, she must be really missing something in her life.
She’s definitely missing being friends with some great dogs!
Your experience makes it so clear just how blinded people are – even pet people, as this person clearly was – by fear. How could anyone look in Emmett’s eyes and not see the sweet, gentle soul there? He is a blessing, still spreading the good word about his breed even when he’s at the oncologist. I just love your dog! And I’m so glad to hear about the test results – that a boy, Emmett!
He’s going to Atlanta with me, Amy! You’ll be able to meet him in person… er… dog!
I am sorry that happened to you, I am happy you had good news. Please don’t let the negative cancel out the positive. ( now if I could just live by my own words..lol)
stella rose’s momma
That is so true! The positive is WAY WAY bigger than the negative!!
I am totally the opposite with unknown dogs, even “that” breed. I always assume that other dogs are as friendly as mine. Mine are, quite frankly, overly affectionate. There is a term for that which I cannot think of at the moment, but let’s just say they are not shy and reserved among strangers or other dogs. Except for YaYa. She’s my oldest, and she is reserved around everyone and dogs until she gets to know you. When we used to hike more than we do now, we always had a “off to the side and sit” command to try and avoid other hikers because everyone always wanted to pet them and of course, they wanted to be petted. The lady may have had a bad experience with dogs. It only takes getting scared badly once to make for a bad experience.
You’re so right. Who knows what her history is. I tend to do the same thing you do and assume all dogs want to be patted!
I thought the same things about Pits for a very long time. but i came to understand that its not the breed its the parenting that makes the animal. Dogs like children are born innocent its what is done to them, how they are treated and their upbringing that make them who they are.
I’m so glad to read about your change of heart! Hopefully more people will become open-minded as they learn more and meet friendly dogs like Em!
That must be very upsetting but I blame all those irresponsible pit owners who provide too many negative images/experiences. Yes, needs to be more awareness as well as pressure for people to learn how to be a good pet pawrent. The lady probably would be uncomfortable around any dog. We have an adult relative who clearly and obviously is very uncomfortable around me and Stanley! It amazes mom.
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
So true about irresponsible dog owners. Unfortunately, those few have ruined the reputation of the breed. So sad.
People like that woman frustrate me to no end. Pit bull awareness DEFINITELY needs to become a more widespread thing, because there is so much negativity toward them it’s ridiculous. Literally every single pittie I have met (mix or not) in rescue has been a big, goofy, lovable sweetheart. I have had many more negative experiences with smaller-breed dogs.
SO glad to hear that Emmett got good results! <3
Thank you! We’re thrilled with the results!!
I feel so badly for that woman living in fear. Hopefully she’ll come to a place where she can enjoy the wonderful dog right in front of her instead of being wrapped up in her own fear.
Glad to hear Emmett is doing well. Huzzah!
Fear is such a tricky thing. I can sympathize, though I completely agree with you and hope she can overcome her fear. Maybe if she’s there at Em’s next appointment, I’ll see if I can get her to pat him! 🙂
Stories like this make me so upset. Judging a dog based on their breed is no better than judging a person based on their race. SO happy to hear you got good news though 🙂
That’s an apt analogy. Thank you for making that point!
Having met Emmett, I can attest to the fact that he is indeed a lover. What an uncomfortable situation. I feel sorry for that lady.
It absolutely was uncomfortable! He was just wagging at her, waiting for her to fawn over him, which is what he’s used to! 🙂
If a person gives off that kind of negative or frightened energy, and then puts their body language in such a way as described (i.e. very uncomfortable-looking) it is all but inviting a problem. Thankfully, Emmett is a great, lovable dog. I wish people were not so ignorant. I wish everyone was more educated about pits and pit mixes, and that they’d stop stereotyping. She could have had a nice moment with you and asked you about your ailing dog. Instead, she made an ass of herself. She’ll never get a second chance to make that first impression!
P.S. Such great news about Emmett!!
YES!! Thank you!! I couldn’t be more thrilled with these results!
So glad to hear about Emmett’s results! I can empathize with the fearful lady, until a few years ago I wasn’t a dog person and had some pretty negative views on pits. Then I started hanging out with a romantic interest and her dog. It was maybe a year later I had a dog of my own, a possible pit mix to boot! The romance didn’t happen but growth did!
That’s a really great point, Erik, and I’m so glad you brought that up. I can totally empathize with fear, too. I suppose as Emmett’s person, I do get sensitive about things like this because my first thought is always, “Just give him a chance!!”
I don’t know why, but it still shocks me when I hear things like this. Even when they happen to us! I guess it’s because it seems so narrow-minded – heck, it is! We also just posted about pit bull awareness month. Day by day, we’ll keep advocating for our dogs :).
Yep! All we can do is stay positive and keep advocating. Btw, I am a HUGE fan of your blog!! Love!
The good news about Emmett made my day! 🙂
I am so happy for HIM and for you ALL that the results were as good as they were.
I keep Emmett and all of you in my prayers every night. He is such a wonderful and beautiful example of how dogs can overcome whatever happened to them BEFORE they found their forever family. If we could all be as forgiving and tolerant as Emmett is!
He really is just the perfect boy! 🙂
Thank you so, so much, Leslie! It was the best news possible, and we’re thrilled. Thank you so much for keeping Emmett in your prayers – that means SO MUCH to us!
Yay Emmett! People often tell me their negative impressions of pits and pit mixes (last night, someone told me that their heads were too small for a normal size dog brain…) and I am hard-pressed not to tell them that my dog is less friendly than any pit I’ve EVER met.
Wow. I’ve never heard that particular myth before, though I wish I could say I was surprised… All we can do is keep advocating for our loves!
I’m just so happy Emmett’s appointment went so well. It’s too bad this ignorant woman put a damper on your day. I can’t believe that Emmett didn’t win her over with his wonderful behavior…..she clearly had a closed mind.
Thank you, Jan! I’m thrilled!!!
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! I am not even going to try and be nice. She is an idiot !! All she did was prove her stupidity and make an A– of herself. Hopefully you will never come in contact with her again. I am more than thrilled to hear of Em’s good report. Will keep praying for all, including the lady who needs an attitude adjustment.
Thank you so, so much for the prayers, Phyllis! We are so incredibly grateful! And it’s clearly working! 🙂
Sorry about the negative Nelly, but the good news WAY overshadows that! Hooray for no progression! Keep kicking cancer’s ass, Emmett!!
Mom Kim here – Such great news about Emmett. I love hearing things like this – not any worse.
A Pit Bull Awareness Month would be a great thing – granted I have Beagles and not a Pittie (and where I live, not sure I would want one here – Kansas is just not a good place for any dog really). Anyway, as sad as it is, I am afraid there are some people – a Pit Bull Awareness YEAR would not help, even with some dog owners. They have heard one to many negative reports from “experts” and are not open to the real truth. I have been exposed to many positive things about Pit Bulls and have witnessed the good/great things about Pit Bulls such as being around them, one of my nephews owns one of the sweetest Pit Bulls I have ever had the pleasure of being with. I am looking forward to the next time we visit with Savanna and her dad.
Yay! I am so glad that Emmett received good news. Reading this made my day…until you mentioned that lady and then I got angry. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Emmett in person, but from all of your blog posts and adorable photos of him, he seems like an absolute sweetheart. People like this lady drive me nuts – stop being so ignorant!
Thanks, Natalie! Will you be at BarkWorld? Would love to catch up! Oh, and Emmett’s coming with me! 🙂
Yay on good results and sorry to hear about your experience with the lady. Some folks are just plain clueless and rude, hopefully Emmett changed her mind some 🙂
I do dog agility with our mixed breeds ( one is pitbull mix, Buddy) and I joke that I can clear a path in the crowd, just by walking him towards the start box. Our Buddy is a 80 pound, momma’s boy, love sponge. I’ve had die hard AKC folks compare him to border collies, with his complete focus on me, I take that as complement.
As my trainer reminds me “most people would be blessed to have a Buddy in their lives” and she’s right 🙂
So many people are totally afraid of pit bulls. They really can be a great breed- so loving and affectionate, but they get a bad rap b/c of the ones that act out because of bad parenting and often, sadly, were abused. I think you will really like one of our recent stories about a pit bull rescue- http://blog.crosspeakproducts.com/pit-bull-rescue-led-volunteering/ and how it led to becoming a volunteer at the Humane Society.