One of our DogTime readers is fostering an overweight dog, but strangers are blaming her for the pup’s obesity. What should she do? She writes:
Dear Labby,
I responded to a plea from a local rescue group and am now fostering a dangerously overweight Bulldog. I’m walking him several times a day and strictly monitoring his diet, hoping to get him to a healthy state so that he can be placed for adoption.
I’ve only had him four days but have already had random strangers on the street yell words to this effect at me: “You’re abusing your dog, quit overfeeding him!”
Labby, I’m trying to undo someone else’s abuse, and the comments are infuriating. Should I respond to these busybodies? If so, how?
Signed:
Bothersome, Ignorant Guessers Blame Obesity Needlessly, Evoking Disappointment
Dear Labby Has The Answer!
Dear B.I.G. B.O.N.E.D.,
Why are people so foolish? No wait, I mean nasty. No wait, I mean ignorant. Seriously, wait! I mean well-intentioned but ultimately ill-informed. I would never call anyone stupid – I’m a pet etiquette expert, after all.
With the pet obesity epidemic on the rise, it’s not surprising — although not an excuse — that folks would take it upon themselves to comment on your chubby charge.
Does the rescue group you’re fostering from have business cards? If so, procure a few.
The next time Judgmental Judy renders her observation, hand her a business card and say, “If you’d like to be part of the Phat Dog Rescue foster program, we’d love to have your help ensuring these homeless animals get their necessary daily walks.”
If business cards aren’t available, you can still get your point across. “Thank you so much for your concern. Sumo is my foster dog, and I’m doing all I can to get him slimmed down and adoption ready.”
Feel free to add: “We rescued him from Al’s House of Metabolic Research, you ignorant lump of buffalo manure” — but so softly they won’t be able to hear it over their roaring mortification.
Have you ever taken care of an overweight dog and dealt with comments from strangers? Do you have any other questions for Dear Labby? Let us know in the comments below!
