I've posted this question under several different categories in hopes that someone may be able to enlighten me.
I have two small dogs and in my neighbourhood it's very common to have more than one. It's just that kind of place. Anyways, I am used to the amount of attention my boys get...the usual stuff: oh, they're so cute, what breed are they, are they brothers...that sort of stuff...here's where the problem comes in. Once a year our area hosts a music festival...3 nights of bands playing on the street. Over the last few years, attendees have taken lots of photos of my dogs as if we're part of the show! For the past 2 nights, the dogs have had their photo taken about 20 times! Why would you want a photo of dogs you'll never see again? Why wouldn't you ask whether it was ok? So far the only people who ask are those that wanting to take their photo while holding them. Dognapping is a problem around here. Am I being paranoid or is this situation wierd? Any ideas what's up?
2006-07-28 18:23:10 · 10 answers · asked by baciandrio 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thank you all for your responses, just to let you know that 99% of these folks never even make eye contact let alone speak to me. I've even had them take 'our' picture while I was eating on the sidewalk...and my boys were sitting beside me.
The folks that approach and actually talk to me are not the ones I'm curious about. I realize that I'm in a public space and that anyone is fair game especially if people want crowd shots.
As I said before dognapping is an issue in our neighbourhood but I truly don't believe someone will run off with one or both of them right under my nose.
And no, my dogs are not a rare breed. They're just little Shih Tzus..so that rules out that theory. Yes they're cute but I'm their 'mom' so I'm pretty much obligated to think so ;0)
I have noticed that the majority of the photographers tend to be Asian....and I think that's what really made me curious. Do you think it's more of a culture thing?
2006-07-29 01:09:55 · update #1
Thanks for all your great answers (even those stating that I was being paranoid!). I did approach several 'photographers' tonight and their answers ran the gamut...Most of you were right, they just thought my boys were cute but didn't realize that a) they weren't the first to take their pics this weekend let alone tonight and b) it might be nice to at least acknowledge that there was somebody holding the leash!
Thanks again and I hope everyone enjoys their weekend.
2006-07-29 16:20:33 · update #2
I think you may be overacting a bit here. 1)This only happens during the Festival 2)The dogs are part of the musical ambiance and they want to "capture" that ambiance along with the music, the booze/pot/drugs they use
If you really are concerned then A)Hide the dogs or B)Tell potential dogknappers that the dogs are fixed and have no resale value
2006-07-28 18:28:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
well, if it is a breed that most people don't see very often, then that might be the reason they are taking the pictures. Are they really good looking dogs? this could be another reason. I think you are just paranoid, and should just enjoy the attention that the "boys" are bringing and be proud that they are yours and people want to photograph them...
2006-07-28 18:31:14 · answer #2 · answered by Just Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We encounter the same thing on a more regular basis. We have two sable Shetland Sheepdogs - 1 year old and 2 years old - who are both drop-dead gorgeous. They look just like half-sized versions of Lassie. We walk them several times a week and often walk where there are lots of people in order to keep them well socialized. One of the places we often walk them is Seaport Village in San Diego, which is a popular tourist area. Every time we go there we're stopped any number of times by people who want to pet them and have their pictures taken with them. But we don't consider it a problem at all. In fact, we rather enjoy it. Because it's happened so often we've struck up conversations with many of the people who stop us to admire our dogs and we've discovered that there are several reasons why they want to pet them or have their picture taken with them:
1. They once owned a Sheltie or similar breed, and our dogs remind them of their own pet.
2. They're away from home and miss their dog and welcome the opportunity to spend a bit of time with friendly dogs.
3. They deeply love dogs but are in a position where they are unable for a variety of reasons to own one of their own, so a moment with a dog captured in a picture is the best they can do.
4. They just really, really love dogs and having their picture taken with a beautiful dog is, for them, the same as having their picture taken with a beautiful movie star.
We have sometimes had people ask how much we would sell them for (we always tell them that they couldn't possibly have enough money to buy them!), but we've never once met anyone who impressed us as having any sort of dark motive in wanting to pet our dogs or have their picture taken with them. My advice would be to relax - people who react this way to your boys are obviously dog lovers and wouldn't think of doing anything to harm them. Anyone who is bent on dognapping is certainly not going to advertise themselves to you. The situation is neither weird nor ominous. You even may be helping them through a little healing by letting them interact with your dogs. One woman spent some time petting and sweet-taking our boys and when she was done there were tears in her eyes. Turns out she had lost her own Sheltie just a couple of months earlier and this was the first chance she had to be close to one since then. We think it really helped her and are very pleased when our guys can do something like that for someone.
P.S. If you want to see a picture of our dogs just drop me a note - I'd be glad to send you one!
2006-07-28 21:04:54 · answer #3 · answered by Radical Geezer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow, you must have a rare breed... it's normal for people to look at your dogs and be amazed, but not taking pictures of them! and i agree that they should ask first! the situation's really weird and i think that you should take extra precautions.
good luck and i hope no one steals your dogs!
2006-07-28 18:31:08 · answer #4 · answered by Maggie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is weird. I would suggest keeping the dogs indoors. I realize that you love your dogs, but they don't HAVE to go everywhere you do. It will be safer for them to be inside out of the reach of these strange people.
2006-07-28 18:28:55 · answer #5 · answered by celery_endaliel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe u are overreacting a bit??
unless they post the photo somewhere without ur permission, den i guess it is actually quite ok.
imagine ur taking a pic of ur fren's dog, did they go hell and scrim and shout at u? no rite, they're happy cos it means their dog is cute. lax abit.
2006-07-28 18:30:27 · answer #6 · answered by muhuehue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah that is weird.
I have three dogs, no kids, so my dogs are my kids.
If people wanted to take pics of my kids in the way you are describing, that would be psycho. I would politly say, these are my kids, I would prefer that you don't hold them.
2006-07-28 18:47:26 · answer #7 · answered by Honey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep the dogs inside my HOUSE!!!! how rude of people to do that!!!! dont show them to people
2006-07-28 18:26:44 · answer #8 · answered by gradin_2007 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
PARANOID!
2006-07-28 18:40:13 · answer #9 · answered by trolling_for_recs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
duh.....huh?
2006-07-28 18:27:56 · answer #10 · answered by ricky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋