OK, warm weather in Ohio … finally!!!! It never fails, as the warm weather approaches here in Ohio, everyone is dying to get outside and soak up the sun and frolic around on DRY ground for a change. People taking walks, kids playing in the yard throwing balls for their dogs to fetch, and all that good stuff. A great time for all who like the warm weather, including Butch and I. We are back to throwing the frisbee and chasing tennis balls that I throw over the house. Invariably everyone sees Butch and I outside playing, so occassionally I will get the odd tennis ball or other miscellaneous objects washing up on our lawn by well meaning passers-by thinking that it belongs to us. Since Butch is somewhat of a celebrity in our neighborhood everyone always watches us playing in the yard, so it makes sense that others might assume that these items belong to us. I do appreciate the gesture and most of the people are very nice and well meaning by returning the odd object to our yard.
There is only one problem with the odd ball or object that shows up on the lawn and that is I do not know where it came from or who put it there. Unfortunately, it goes directly in the trash. It is a sad commentary on the times that we live in, but I’m quite sure that there are some people who would go to great lengths to hurt or even kill someone’s pet for God knows what twisted reason they might have. Now I’m not saying that this is the case here, but call me paranoid, I don’t trust objects that mysteriously show up in my yard looking like they belong to Butch that I do not recognize. They could be laced with rat poison or worse. I make it a point to know and recognize each and every toy that Butch has. I know what brand of tennis balls we have and I know each of the toys I buy for him. I do throw everything away that shows up on the lawn that is not ours even if there is a question or it looks like one of ours, I will get rid of it. Call me the “doting Dog Dad” but it’s better to be safe.
In addition, I rarely allow others to give Butch treats of any kind. Of course it depends on the circumstances but again, if you don’t know where that treat has been or you don’t know the person, be polite but refuse. Danger comes in all types of packages! Just like telling your kids, please do the same for your dog !
 DON’T TAKE CANDY FROM STRANGERS!Â
