Tuesday, October 21, 2008

EMPS: Reflections of My Car; Bad Dog!

Sunset on the roof of my car (lower left)

As if by a trick of the light, reflecting the changing colors of a stormy sunset (but it was not sunset), the water shone first with a golden light, and then with the dark silver of carbon steel. On the pool’s surface an image formed.
--from Heirs of Mâvarin, Chapter Two: "The Truth"

For Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #8: Reflections, Carly asks to see any sort of reflection. I was on the go late this afternoon in my car, taking the dogs to the Democratic headquarters briefly and then on to the dog park. I decided to try to catch reflections on the car itself. As I took the shots, I couldn't tell whether any of them worked well enough, but now I'm happy to say that most of them did.


Printouts (buttons and HuffPo entry on the dashboard.


Trees on the hood.



Trees reflected in my windshield at sunset.

To round things off, here's a more traditional reflection shot: Pepper in the mirror.


It's you, Pepper!

Be sure to check out Ellipsis every Monday for the week's theme, and a roundup of the previous week's entries. I'm a little behind on making the rouns myself, but hope to rectify that tomorrow.

****


Cayenne has survived her difficult day.

It's been one of those good news / bad news days. My Huffington Post piece was published, but with no photos. My newest button designs, thrown together late this afternoon, were a hit, but the campaign can't keep up with the button demand. On the job front, I found out that the job I'm supposed to interview for is in my pay range, and my potential boss is considered a great guy; but I waited all afternoon for an interview to be scheduled. It now looks to be a phone screening tomorrow. And the dogs got to the dog park - and Cayenne was attacked by another dog.

She was bleeding in at least three places when we got home.

There is a woman who is there almost every day. I think she has three dogs, but maybe there are only two. One is a German shepherd who intermittently bullies other dogs. I think it was on Saturday that he went after Cayenne before, and was chased away by Cayenne's unexpected defender, Pepper. Hooray, Pepper! The owner was pleased that another dog stood up to hers. But that doesn't help much, does it? It wasn't even the first bullying incident from that dog that day.

It's probably inevitable that in a place where lots of dogs interact more or less freely, sudden altercations will arise. One dog will want to play, and another will take offense or just get too aggressive about it. Usually the owners call off the dogs with no harm done. But today, this woman's dogs ganged up on Cayenne. She ended up on her back, trying to assume the position, defend herself and wriggle away, as the woman's second dog (pit bull? not sure) attacked. I yelled, but the dog didn't stop until the woman pulled him off. She subsequently put the German shepherd on his leash, but not the other dog (I think). Cayenne was covered in cut grass and dog slobber, but I didn't see the bites and the bleeding until I got her home. You probably can't tell from the picture, but the bites are there. They're not serious, but that's not the point. They shouldn't exist at all.

Next time I see that woman, I'm going to tell her that letting her dogs attack other dogs, even for a moment, is not acceptable. If she can't keep them from biting other dogs when they're unleashed, then they should not be unleashed. Not in a crowded dog park. One unexpected incident and no harm done is clearly forgivable. But this is getting to be a pattern.

Karen

9 comments:

barrettmanor said...

Congratulations on making the Huffington Post! And I'll keep my fingers crossed on the job front.

I take it that all dogs who visit the park are supposed to be up on their shots? Perhaps you should start documenting the behavior of those dogs. And if you have any doubts as to weather they're up on their shots, please get Cayenne to the vet.

Jama said...

Over here it's an offense to bring an unleash dog in public places. Owners are liable to be fined for a few hundred dollars.
Hope your dog is not too traumatized by this attack.

Carly said...

Hi Karen

Jeepers, I just happened upon this post when I came by to check the Weekend Assignment. Did you leave a link back at Ellipsis? If so, I don't think it saved properly, because I don't see it anywhere.

Anyway, cute photo of Pepper's reflection in the mirror. She's such a cutie pie doggie! And big hugs to Cayenne. I am so sorry she had a bad doggie day. What a good girl she is. Big hug to her as well!

Carly

storyteller said...

I found your link at EMPS and enjoyed your ‘reflective’ photos. I’ve participated for the first time in EMPS at Sacred Ruminations. I’m sorry you had a bad experience at the Dog Park and hope your pooch will be okay.
Hugs and blessings,

Jan AKA Wammy said...

Hope things are trunig around and the dog is okay. I think someone sheould talk to the other dog owner for sure. We no longer take our dog to the dog park for that same reason. Some people just don't get it. Now...all the reflective shots are fun. It take s these old eyes a little tome to pick out the reflections but I did fins all of them. Nice job.

Jan AKA Wammy said...

Hope things are trunig around and the dog is okay. I think someone sheould talk to the other dog owner for sure. We no longer take our dog to the dog park for that same reason. Some people just don't get it. Now...all the reflective shots are fun. It take s these old eyes a little tome to pick out the reflections but I did fins all of them. Nice job.

Jan AKA Wammy said...

Hope things are trunig around and the dog is okay. I think someone sheould talk to the other dog owner for sure. We no longer take our dog to the dog park for that same reason. Some people just don't get it. Now...all the reflective shots are fun. It take s these old eyes a little tome to pick out the reflections but I did fins all of them. Nice job.

Tammy Brierly said...

I hope you can make thatt dog owner understand...grrr! Enjoyed your reflections. Congrats!

Lisa said...

I enjoyed your reflection shots - the first one is really cool and I loved seeing Pepper in the mirror.

I hope Cayenne is doing well, I would have been so upset & angry. I would definately speak to that woman, she needs to bring her dogs under control.