I didn’t have plans to post today but something happened this morning that has me pretty disturbed. And I am not sure at all what, if anything, to do about it. So I am writing to try to shake off some ick and think it through so that if it happens again (or to anyone else) I’ll know better what to do.

Jonathan had to go to Salt Lake today, which means he takes the car I primarily drive because it gets better gas milage.

Thing is, he took the key to his car with him.

So, I called him and he said he would turn around to bring it back to me. I went out to meet him by the curb so he wouldn’t have to come it. I hadn’t showered yet and so I just threw a coat over my tshirt and pj pants and put my Dansko clogs on so I wouldn’t freeze to death.  I only planned on being out there a minute and certainly didn’t think I’d see anyone. (So, you pretty much know what was going to happen due to the laws of nature and everyone seeming to see you when you look totally fugly.)

I went out down my front steps, the friendliest, prettiest, yellow Lab came up to me. I saw she was collared and tagged so I knew she belonged to someone. We do have leash laws here but we live around big, open fields and it is not uncommon to see dogs running about.  I really didn’t think much of it. She was a gorgeous dog and very friendly and I didn’t see an owner around so I just let her follow me down the walk and out to the driveway.

To kill time waiting for Jonathan, I opened the door of our car and started cleaning out the bits and bobs that had accumulated since the last go through, with the friendly Lab nuzzling me as I went about my business.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a shiny, expensive-looking, black SUV circle and pull up to the curb by my driveway.

This is the point where I realized I was about to have human contact in my bedraggled state and my brain started yelling at me that I should have listened to Susan Wagner’s advice about never exiting the house in your pajama pants (And puffy jacket! And Dansko clogs! And bedhead! OH, MY!).

A very angry looking man jumped out of the car and started striding towards me as he pointed at the yellow lab and snarled, “GET IN THE CAR, DAMN YOU!”

I physically stepped back and pressed against my opened car door, and the lab whimpered and pretty much backed up with me.

I think I probably looked frightened as hell because angry-SUV-guy backed off and got that forced nice tone that you can tell happens when very angry people are suddenly reminded that they are in front of other humans and that some amount of decorum is required.

“That’s my dog.”, he said through clenched teeth. Then he looked hard at the dog, pointed at the ground and said,”COME. HERE….NOW.”

The dog did NOT want to go but the guy reiterated and the dog put his head down a bit and moved towards the man. When he went close enough, the guy grabbed and yanked the dog hard by the collar and grumbled, “Sorry,” at me as he bent down to attach a dog leash, which he promptly started yanking the dog by towards his vehicle.

I took a few steps towards them and stammered out, ”No, she’s a very sweet dog…really. She was no bother and didn’t do any harm!”

But he was already half around the car and I couldn’t see the lab anymore, but I did hear a sharp squeal come from her like she was either having her leash yanked hard or had a sudden shock or pain. I took a couple of steps forward but he jumped quickly in the car and drove off and were gone.

And I was left in a cold driveway blinking and sorting out what the hell had just happened.

I feel icky and sick.

It gave me the same kind of feeling like when you see those movies on TV and know that a sweet and innocent little kid that acted like a kid in a store is going to go home and catch a huge amount of undeserved hell from an angry, abusive, parent.

I sit here and wonder if I should have done more.

I was just so damn caught off guard.

It’s not like he was screaming obscenities or kicking or beating the dog in front of me. It’s in this annoying gray area that leaves me questioning everything.

I wonder if what I saw was actually a big deal.

The dog was healthy looking and friendly when she came up to me and the 10 minutes or so we hung out together. Maybe the guy is a good dog owner who was having a profoundly shitty day and took it out on his dog?

But…the vibe felt so BAD.

And ANGRY.

It felt in my gut like a very big deal.

More than what I saw it was what I felt coming off of this man.

I never use this word lightly but it felt…abusive to me.

I don’t know if I can describe it better than that.

Maybe what I *saw* wasn’t abusive in and of itself but the feeling around it sure was. But that doesn’t mean that it is actually the case, you know? It’s just my opinion and reaction to what I saw go down. But…if that is how that guy behaved with his dog in front of a total stranger how does he react in his comfort zone?

I just wish I had said more to that angry man.

I wish I’d been braver.

Stood up for the dog.

Told the guy to chill the hell out and not take out his anger on sweet and helpless things.

But I didn’t.

Ugh.

I will be thinking about that sweet dog.

And hoping she is ok.

Y’all all know my thoughts and feelings on Twilight.

(Summation? HURL.)

It’s been a source of light and mocking banter in our household.

I came home to find this screen saver installed on my computer with a post-it note on the screen that said, “JOIN TEAM EDWARD, MOM. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!”

I wonder how he’s going to feel about a whole bunch of Air Supply downloaded to his iPod?

Heh.

A link was tweeted out right after Halloween last year about an eerie story that would have been a perfect Halloween read and even though it was early November, I checked it out because I was curious.

And I have been thinking about it for almost a year.

It’s called His Face All Red, and it is amazing.

I’m not a fan of comics, but this one seriously captured my every attention and it STILL makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise when I think about it.

The illustrations are rich and compelling and the writing is so well done.

Here are a couple of examples:

I love everything about it.

It’s an eerie, spooky read with an ending that will give you goosebumps and make you think.

What are you waiting for?

GO READ IT!