puppy love

I really want to see Felice Varini's illusional paintings in person. 

    "So I can tell that it's a service dog, but can he open the exit window in an emergency?"
    This is what catches my attention on the bus today. It's being asked by a twenty-something, average-joe man leaning across the aisle, smiling widely at a woman seated next to her dog.
    She gives him a polite laugh and answers, "Well, I'm not so sure about that. He can open doors, though. Can't undo chains, but can open doors." I'm not sure why she's introduced chains into the equation, as the dog is wearing a fabric leash and there isn't (thank god) anyone on the bus chained up.
    Then another woman whips out her cellphone, thrusts her hand out as far away from herself as possible, and takes a picture of the pup. I hear the fake shutter sound effect of the cellphone and the woman coos. The dog gives the lady a wet-eyed glance, eyelids drooping, an oh, bother expression plastered across his face.
    "How old is he?" she asks. Eight years old, the owner tells her.
    "Eight? Wow."
    Then the first guy takes his turn again: "And what kind of dog is he?"
    "A beagle."
    "A beagle, huh! So, AS A SERVICE DOG," he's nearly shouting now over the static of traffic and the air conditioning, "WHAT EXACTLY DOES HE DO FOR YOU?" Wow. Way to be rude. Way to essentially ask the woman, "What's your disability? What's wrong with you, anyway?"

Oh, yeah – and for all you seattlites, the SIFF film lineup was announced today.

Comments

[Kristen]

I see a lot of people with service dogs get this kind of attention. It's so silly. People can be ignorant.

[BabyLyons]

lol, I love hearing random things people talk about :)

[Rosalie]

I love love love love love stories about crazy things on the bus.

The other day a drunk woman leaned over to me and said, "You wanna hear the story about how we met? Well, to make a long story short, -- none of your f$*#$#ing business -- "
HA!

[beatblack]

the weirdos are about the only thing i really like about public transit. they keep things interesting even when they are being rude :)