[HedoShoodovex]

My neighbors own APBTs, a Husky, and a lil mixed breed rat size dog. They are pretty good people and last month were kind enough to give me a ride to a doctors appointment. M, the guy, came over to let me know he was ready to leave and I asked him in while a grabbed my stuff. Didn't want to be rude.

M made it inside the living room before Ike sauntered up all casual like to say "Hi!". Before Ike could get within 3 feet M was stumbling out the door and in his haste he even managed to whack his head on the storm door. He totally freaked. I assured him Ike is a total marshmallow, that M's wife has been over and she loves Ike, and that Ike wouldn't hurt him. No dice, lol. Without a single threatening gesture Ike scared the crap out of him. And he's a dog person!!!

Enter M and D's friend, J, who is staying with the neighbors. J is living with the above mentioned dogs and has his own Pit Bull with him. I decided to take the dogs and my middle kid for an early walk. J's daughter was with us, so we stopped by to ask if she could come along. Usually J is already at work when we go walking, so this was the first time he actually met my dogs even though his daughter has been at my house every day for the last week.

We go up to him, Ike is being very polite on his leash...sitting, wagging his tail, giving his most charming bully grin and everything. J wouldn't come and pet him with a 10 foot pole no matter how I encouraged him. He said Ike is a very big dog with a "head like a bowling ball" and he didn't want to take chances. As if! Like I would have an aggressive dog around with all the kids! Harrumph!

Really, guys, really? Big, manly, dog lovers afraid to pet an American Bulldog with his owner right there, encouraging and reassuring?

Poor Ike was so emo about. His lil heart was broken. He takes it very personally when people don't pet him because when he was a pup everyone everywhere we went petted and fawned over him so much that he expects it now. When people won't pet him he drops his head and tail and will mope while walking painfully slow for blocks or until some random stranger loves on him.

I told my husband both stories and he doesn't believe me. He thinks I made this crap up because he can't fathom anyone fearing the white and brindle marshmallow.

I just don't get it. How the hel can you own and/or live with a bunch of APBT and a Husky...hardcore dog breeds...and be afraid of lil ole Ike???