Instead, they now offer big smiles and a friendly greeting as I pass by on my daily walks. Somehow having a Dalmatian at your side makes you above suspicion. It would behoove a pragmatic burgler or kidnapper to immediately go out and buy the best looking dalmatian they could find. People don't address me by name as I walk by. Of course, I am expected to answer for the dog.
People always expect an answer to questions they ask neighborhood dogs.
If I respond as I am expected to, these neighbors with the big false smiles will inevitably begin talking excitedly to me about some other neighbor behind their back. I shudder to think what everyone says about me when I'm not around. I f my neighborhood represents a microcosm of the world at large, there isn't much hope for world peace. From everything I've been able to observe, people just don't tend to get along. They are almost universally judgemental and extremely territorial.