It's okay. His Name is Buster.

Two posts in one day! You're probably asking yourself if this is really happening. Yes. Yes it is. No need to get worked up. I am here to share with you the frustration of having bad neighbors who are even worse dog owners. We've all met them. People who let their dogs run wild as they stand twenty yards away holding the leash that should be attached to the dog. You expect them to come running over to quickly get the dog on his leash and apologize because, obviously, it was an accident that the dog got free. If only that were the case...if only...

Instead of securing their canine, these owners shout from the distance at their dog, hoping that he will understand that he is being called. It is in this moment that it becomes obvious that the dog has never once listened to its human. While his owner continues to hopelessly shout ignored commands at the dog, the fluffy pup is busy running up to you, your dog, your other surprised neighbor, their dog, and just about everyone else in a 1 mile radius. This is around the time when the owner tries to comfort you about the current situation. Still staying where they are, they shout "It's okay! His name is Buster." It seems like these types of owners always choose the name Buster. I'm sure if you researched the meaning of the name, you would find that Buster actually means "dog who is given far too much credit for his obedience." Needless to say, hearing that it's okay and learning Buster's name (although you'd probably already guessed it) does not make the situation any better.

Now, if you're like me and you have a very small phobia-filled dog, your main focus is getting them off the ground. You don't know if this extra friendly dog is going to eat up your pup like a potato chip. If you are also like me and you are only around 5 feet tall, this task requires holding your dog in the air like Lion King to keep them away from Buster. This action usually is even more exciting to Buster because now he can jump for your pooch. This, my dear readers, is what we call a lose-lose situation.

The whole scenario can only play out two ways now. Either the owner will come and retrieve Buster (it's a bonus if they apologize). That is the ideal ending to our story. However, anyone who has ever met someone who owns a Buster know that they will continue to stand very far away and shout to the dog. Eventually Buster will give up his pursuit of your potato chip dog, and he will run off to his human. His human will still not attach the leash because "well he came back didn't he?" You and your pup will finish what you're doing, but on high alert. For my dog, she will count this as another trauma in her troubled life, and she will be extra skittish for a day. Everyone will eventually forget about it and move on. At least until the next Buster breakaway.

So, to all the Buster owners of the world, please use a leash.

-Emily