Venting-has this ever happened to you?

[Suzy]

I went to a fall festival yesterday, and took Emma with me. It was small-probably 30-40 vendors of food, gifts, art, etc. there.

Emma attracts attention when I take her places (as I'm sure most of your babies do!). I had her on her leash, and of course, there were the people giving comments like "nice rat" and "ohhhh look at the little teacup yorkie"-she's 5 pounds, but whatever, I'm not going to correct every single person who says that. And of course, there were the parents who let their grubby little kids come up and pet and try to pick up Emma-without asking, these little buggers would come out of nowhere.

All of that's annoying, but I expect that kind of rudeness from people (sad, I know). But, there was a situation I didn't know how to handle-wanted to know what you guys thought...

A woman came up to me and had all kinds of questions about her-how old, weight, where I got her coat, how long I've had her, and so on. She of course, pet and picked up my baby without asking, and I asked her to put her down, and she responded with a "oh, we're allright, aren't we, Emma?" I asked her again to please put her down-luckily Emma started squirming and she pretty much had to put her back on the ground. Then she started telling me her story about how she had a yorkie that was mauled and killed by a neighborhood dog! How awful! She also mentioned what a "terror" that her dog was, that he was impossible to train, was really aggressive, and unfriendly. She says that now, after talking to me and seeing Emma, that she wanted a female yorkie. (talk about a snap decision!) I had a weird feeling after all of this, so I tried to end the conversation-tried to get back with my friends, show that I needed to go through body language, but this lady didn't GET IT!

So it went on for a little longer, and she started asking more specifics about Emma-where I got her, who the breeder was, how much she cost. I played it off, said that the breeder was from a nearby town, and that I got her as a gift, as not to give too much info. She asked me again who the breeder was, and how much I paid, which I wouldn't tell her. She asked if I could get her the breeder's name and number, so that she could get another yorkie. I obviously didn't have this with me, so I told her just to check the papers in the surrounding area for yorkies in her price range. Again, she insisted that I give her my breeder's information, and AGAIN, I declined. She went so far as to ask for a business card, and I lied and said I didn't have any with me. It was too weird how persistent she was being. Then she told me which company she was with, and pretty much demanded that I call that business first thing on Monday morning and give her my breeder's information then. I finally agreed, just so I could get away!

She was SO pushy, I felt intimidated by her! I was half afraid she was going to take my baby and run! Frankly, I'd rather not give out my breeder's info, since we're looking to get another female sometime soon, and I don't want this lady to have a shot to get the puppy that I want. Also, if her first dog (bless his heart!) was so aggressive and unfriendly, it makes me think that she didn't take the time to train him or spend time with him. Yorkies are usually so friendly, and love their people, and want to be with them all the time-I just found all of this hard to believe.

Ugh, it was a bad situation...has anyone ever had anyone be so pushy about their baby before? What have you guys done/said in those situations?

[Kona]

Wow... I've never been in a situation like that, but I think you handled yourself very well. I agree, I wouldn't give her my breeders name... she seems evil...

[chachi]

I am sorry that happened to you. I am getting ready to take mine to some fall festivals too. I give my breeder info if someone asks but understand if you didnt want to. I think the lady just really wanted a yorkie and was seeking contact info.

[vanessa19]

thats awful! ive never been in that situation but i do live in a condo and theres a lady who bought a "maltese" but i think its part maltese, lhasa and poodle, the has to weigh about 20 pounds and the first time Jasmine went out to go potty here she walked by with her dog and was like oh look at the rat...im sorry i HATE that its rude and ive never once said anything about her dog that barks constantly all through the night. People annoy me sometimes. Im so sorry you had to go through that you prolly just wanted to run as soon as she tried to pick up the dog, im only 19 and when im with my mom and we go out with jasmine she will literally yell at people to not pick her up lol its funny

[Chrissy0277]

Know what I do in these situations, give them a funny look and say I dont think you can afford it and walk away. I hate pushy people and I hate it when strange people come up to my dogs and try to pick them up.

[chattiesmom]

I am sorry for your bad experience.

I would guess that all of us who take our Yorkies out in public attract attention because of their beauty and small size. I used to be intimidated, but no longer by pushy people but no more. I do not hesitate to tell people that Yorkies are expensive and not everyone who wants one can afford one.

When someone tells me they "want a Yorkie" I respond by saying "It's GOOD TO WANT THINGS, just think how boring life would be if we had everything we wanted." I go on to tell them that Yorkies are very time consuming, demanding little monsters and unless you want a demanding self-centered dog, then don't get one. I don't necessarily believe that statement is true, but it serves to discourage some folks.

In my humble opinion, if someone really wants a Yorkie they will do their homework, read about the breed and research breeders... and save their pennies. When I meet people I ALWAYS tell them about this WONDERFUL website I belong to: http://www.yorkietalk.com

I wish admin would supply us business cards that we could print ourselves and give out when we are talking to people. I have had to write the address down on snippets of paper more than I want to count.

[Jenn218]

Wow! I have never been in this situation, but I think you handled it well. I believe that we should always follow what our gut and hearts tell us.....and in this case, you did just that. I don't think I would have given her any information either!

I am very picky when it comes to Mojo......we take him along most everywhere we go.......he is always on harness/leash, but he seldom walks around.....just because I feel that he is too small (he is around 5lbs too) to be among all of those feet!!! That saves me from people asking to hold him and kids coming up with sticky, dirty hands. I have found that if you are holding them, people always seem to ask if they can pet them - course, there are always a few that seem to invade your "personal space" without even thinking about it!

I agree...Yorkies do seem to cause a spectacle where ever they go......afterall, they are so sweet and adorable.........I am just glad that you got away from that lady.......and I am glad that she didn't just grab and run....I have heard several stories of that happening! Sad, but we have to be so careful anymore with anything we have and love!

[BubblPopElectrc]

What a horrible experience. I especially hate when people ask personal questions (how much, etc).

[irishawk]

That lady sounds awful!! What I would have done was said that I didn't have the info on me and would look for it at home and asked for her email address.... and then never send it to her!! Or email her and say that I lost it and direct her to breeders.net or something like that. I agree with you, you're looking for a new baby soon and I wouldn't want someone like her cutting into my chances of getting one! Besides, I would have blown her off just for being so pushy and rude and making me uncomfortable. I would definetly NOT call her work Monday morning.

[CLEO & CEASAR]

I guess all of us yorkie owners always will have to go through different situations like that...because they are so cute they always get attentions and remarks...some are so nice and some are so bad...some would say they are so beautiful and cute...and some would say they would rather have a real dog than a rat looking dog like a yorkie...some would have a yorkie too but they would try to make you feel that their yorkie is better because it is a "teacup". It's hard, isn't it? When I take them for walks I say thank you for nice compliments and leave when they are starting to annoy me and my dogs.

[susansmom]

My first thought -- and this may be totally paranoid -- is that the lady wanted all that info so if she took your baby she could "prove" Emma was hers because she had all the information about her. Very creepy. I agree with the others who said you handled it very well.

[SnowWa]

I certainly wouldn't let anyone like that lady bother me at all. Obviously, she is more forward and pushy than most people --but there are a lot of people like her in the world. And - I doubt that her interest in your Yorkie is the only time she has ever forced herself on other people a little more than they want. She's probably the same way if she runs across someone wearing a coat that she likes - whatever!

And - you guys!! Telling other people that they probably "can't afford" a Yorkie - shame on you! You all say that your Yorkie "isn't a status symbol," but rather a little pet that you love very much -- and then you come off with remarks like this. I know a few people who haven't much money at all - and they have a Yorkie. First, they probably didn't pay a fortune for it (like some people do) -- and second, I'm sure they went without other things so that they could have their Yorkie. (My neighbor got her darling little Yorkie for free.)

And - please remember - if some of us paid $500 to $1000 or a little more for our Yorkies - a lot of people have paid that much for other breeds too.

I think telling someone "You probably couldn't afford a Yorkie" is about as rude as you can get. I'm sure a lot of you use the excuse that you don't appreciate the way the other person is behaving --- but why become a bad mannered person yourself. As far as I'm concerned - after a remark like that - you have no right to complain about anyone else's behavior.

There are all kinds of people in this world - and our having a Yorkie or any other pet isn't going to change that. I think if you go out in public with your little Yorkie and a lot of people bother or offend you (or even ocassionally somene does) -- the best thing you can do is practice your skills at "walking away" and move on...................

When I go out in public - I'm just a plain ordinary person and my Yorkie is just a cute little dog. And - he gets a lot of attention just like yours does. Oddly, though, I usually have both my Yorkie and my Bichon with me --- and, my Bichon gets twice the attention my Yorkie has ever gotten. Go figure!

I never hesitate to tell people where I got my Yorkie -- if they're interested - but my breeder isn't breeding anymore - so, they're going to have to look someplace else.

PS: I would have told this particular woman that you didn't have the breeder's name with you - or perhaps that she wasn't breeding any longer or had moved away and you didn't know how to locate her. I would also have said that I had things to do and had to get going -- and would have thanked her for her interest and moved on.......

I personally tell people that Yorkies might cost from $500 to several thousand -- depending on where they get it - and what they're looking for.
And - I tell them to "do a lot of homework and shop around....."

Take your dogs out and have fun - learn how to walk away from people who bother you -- and enjoy your dogs!

Carol Jean

[RoxyJosMom]

I am sorry you had such a disappointing day at the festival. That lady was far more than rude. We took Roxy to her first out-with-strangers (Art In The Park) this summer and it was the total opposit of your day. Everyone stopped to talk to us and made the kindest, sweetest comments. And, everyone who wanted to pet her, asked first, even the kids. Roxy ate that up. She got to meet alot of other dogs, too, including 2 beautiful giant sheepdogs. I didn't hear one rude "rat" comment at all. And the most personal question was "Did you get her locally?" Since she came from Myrtle Beach, no one pressed for any more info except about Yorkies in general. It was really a great experience. I hope your next festival goes much better. People can be such idiots!

[daisysis]

Some people are just like that.. it is their nature..i think you handle it very well..better than i would have.. i would not give her the breeders name if she wants one that badly she will find a way.. two Yorke's are great and you will get a whole new set of question when the two are out together. i get really weird ones..

[Peters]

she sounded like a ignorant person and i would have most likely told her so! i have no sympathy for people who think or say their dogs are basically awful but hey now i want another !! seriuosly!!! humans domesticated dogs now they depend on us to take care of them the only reason i can think of a dog acting the was she "described" is it was left on it's own basically put outside and forgotten about!! i would act crazy also if i were isolated! how did a bigger dog kill it any way? poor dogs i wopuld have told her to buzz off and probably would have taken my dog away from her what kinda person just walks up to a stranger and snatches up theor dog! RUDE! you showed major self control and were super nice i can't say i could have done the same!