Posted by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/28/12 12:53am
Msg #424889

Dog daze

Tonite I lost it. After dealing with hundreds of dogs and their dopey owners during my NSA years, I think it's time to hang up my seal.

Situation: I ring doorbell. Hear dog barking loudly. Mrs. Borrower opens door a crack, pokes her head out (thought I had a hoarder there for a second) and asks if I'm OK with dogs. As long as they don't bite, I said.

Oh, Yoki's an angel. Wouldn't hurt a flea. He's the sweetest, friendliest dog ever, our little pound puppy, blah blah blah, he can hardly wait to get to know you.

We go to sign at kitchen counter. Mr. Borrower is holding a visibly straining Yoki by his collar. Announces he's going to let Yoki go "to get to know me" and alerts me that Yoki (their baby) will probably jump all over me cos he's so friendly and just loves people, blah blah blah. In a flash, Yoki has his nose poked up my you-know-where. I'm pirouetting around the kitchen, trying to get away from him, struggling to put my notary bag between his probing snout and my you-know-what. Mr. and Mr. Borrower are just standing there, doing nothing, saying nothing. No kidding! After some more circling around trying to avoid this mutt, I firmly tell them to get their damn dog off of me. (Not in those exact words).

I'm not sure exactly what happened at that point, except the next thing I knew Mr. Borrower once again had Yoki by the collar. I strighten my skirt, gather my stuff and head toward to the kitchen counter, looking ever so closely at Yoki, who's looking ever so closely at me, again straining at the leash. Then, for some completely unfathomable reason, Mr. B again lets go of Yoki, who lunges at me and is all over me again. I start yelling and hollering to make him stop and get the dog away from me. I'm practlcally screaming. I'm really frightened, probably totally overreacting, but I've just had it and see no end to this drama with this dog, primarily because they're doing absolutely nada to control him. BTW: Yoki's no puppy; he's a big dog - 50 pounds at least, I'd guess.

Anyway, they quickly corrall him at this point and put him on the patio, where he whimpered outside while they whimpered inside. They actually asked me if they could bring him back in and went to check on him several times. They were simply mortified at my behavior. They kept shooting each other looks. They'll be telling friends and family for years about the lunatic notary who flipped out over their darling doggie. I was competely frazzled. Somehow or another we got through the signing (!). As I think about it now (of course, I'm completely drunk at the moment after several glasses of wine trying to get rid of my Yoki headache) I should have just walked.

But that's all hindsight. Moral of this story is .. well, I can' take it anymore! And I'm on to another glass of wine.

Reply by Windoe/IL on 6/28/12 1:19am
Msg #424891

I just don't understand why people believe it is okay to have their dogs jumping all over others. I love my dog, but I put him away whenever we have people over who are not comfortable with dogs. I also won't allow him to jump on anyone.

Just last week I thanked a couple for putting their dogs away without me having to ask. I so appreciated that. Now when I make that confirmation call, I will request that pets be put away before I enter their homes. I'm sick of inconsiderate people, I Love my dog, but not everyone else.

Sorry you had to go through that.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/28/12 1:58am
Msg #424894

Good point, Windoe! If I ever recover from this ordeal (unlikely at the moment), I think I will tell borrowers during confirmation call that I'm not good with dogs (actually I am, I have one myself; I'm just not comfortable having their nose up my ... well, you know). When I was making the confirmation call, I heard Yoki barking in the background. I shoulda said something then ...

It's just that I give dog owners too much credit that they will take care of things when the notary shows up. Compounded with the fact that we are in their home and have to tolerate some pretty bad behavior... but enuff's enuff. I've finally gone over the edge!

Reply by CentralNY on 6/28/12 7:08am
Msg #424896

I have been bitten by a cat and the owner was unfazed, and the dog stories I could tell. We had a crazy beagle for 17 years so I know crazy dogs, but.......... when I confirm I ask that if there are any animals would they please put them up as I am allergic. I am an animal lover but one never knows so I just won't deal with it and if they don't comply I tell them I can't come in. I have seen bos fuss more over their animals than their children. Had a closing where they were so sensitive to the dog that they took turns signing while they stayed in the bedroom with the dog. They had a huge fenced in yard. I have been lunged at by german shepards, chased by rots. One bo had 2 huge dogs (like a marmaduke but bigger) that they let out to meet me and they stretched their legs over the roof of my car. They couldn't understand why I wanted them to put them up. They were sooooo proud of them. Can't account for human nature.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 6/28/12 7:31am
Msg #424897

experienced the same situation

as the dog scratched my legs pretty good even though I had pants on. Dog was leased then let go to get all over me. I too had my bag trying to deflect the dog. I will never allow this again. It is unreal that people will allow such abuse to the agent.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 6/28/12 7:32am
Msg #424898

Re: experienced the same situation n/m

Reply by snoopdogMs on 6/28/12 7:33am
Msg #424899

should have said leashed, not leased. n/m

Reply by SReis on 6/28/12 7:48am
Msg #424901

PPl are just inconsiderate...

I really don't get it either. I have a 100lb choc lab who LOVES to jump on ppl because she gets so excited. Thats why when ppl come to my house I put her away or take the time to introduce them until she has calmed down enough to be able to stay. I normally don't say anything to bo about animals but there was one time that I was literally molested by a dog, licked from head to toe. I felt violated when I left there & just couldnt understand how the owner couldn't or wouldn't do anything about it.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 6/28/12 8:05am
Msg #424903

If I hear a dog going crazy at the door

I am going to ask the owner to make sure the dog is put away or restrained. It may be their castle, but it is just rude to the max to allow ones pets to get on their guests. I perceived that the borrowers were totally amused when the dog assaulted me. It is not cute. I am an animal lover, but this behavior by the owner is unacceptable.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/28/12 8:29am
Msg #424904

Use the "A" word: allergic to animals.

I have only been bitten by small dogs - they are sometimes too nervous/scared. I mean, look at the size difference from their viewpoint. I have had cat scratch fever and I don't need that again.

Just remove them, please, thank you. Not that I don't love them, but this is my business practice. Better safe than sorry.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/28/12 8:53am
Msg #424905

I actually ask borrowers, in my confirmation call, not to put their pets away. I enjoy the interaction, and I find it makes the signing go more smoothly and enjoyably. I do ask them to anesthetize any children under 14, though, or turn them over to Family & Children's Services for the duration.

Could you be more specific about the dog's muzzle and...well, you know.

Reply by Buddy Young on 6/28/12 9:41am
Msg #424908

I was in the store buying a 25 lb. bag of dog food when a woman asked me " oh, you have a dog?"

I said "no I just carry some in my pocket for snacks. That worked well until a car hit me and I ended up in the hospital".

The lady asked me how I ended up in the hopsital and I told her after eating some of the dog food one day, I was walking down the sidewalk, stepped off the curb to smell a womans butt and a car hit me.

Reply by tlc/WA on 6/28/12 10:19am
Msg #424909

LOL thanks needed a good laugh this mornin!

Reply by janCA on 6/28/12 10:58am
Msg #424914

Those inconsiderate and clueless dog owners will eventually get sued by someone that is bitten or mauled by their precious dog. He already knows what he can get away with and he controls his new owners. They will be sorry if they don't nip this problem in the bud NOW!

Reply by PegiT_MN on 6/28/12 12:57pm
Msg #424924

ROTFLMAO at Hugh and Buddy!

Thanks you guys for the laugh.....I needed that!

Reply by NotaryGirl71 on 6/28/12 4:40pm
Msg #424953

I Love Dogs!!!

I love dogs and am always so happy and excited when I go to a signing with one...whether the dog is a little crazy or not...always puts a smile on my face...

Reply by Yoli/CA on 6/28/12 5:35pm
Msg #424963

Re: I Love Dogs!!!

And, I tell borrowers that if their dog(s) are ok with me, I'm more than ok with them. This is how I get my puppy fix.

Reply by NotaryGirl71 on 6/29/12 1:23pm
Msg #425080

Re: I Love Dogs!!!

Yoli/CA you sound like my kind of signing agent! :-)

btw, I got my "puppy fix" at a signing last night!...so freaking cute...LOVE LOVE LOVE dogs :-)

Reply by ananotary on 6/28/12 10:53am
Msg #424910

I would change the age range to 14-18. LOL n/m

Reply by HisHughness on 6/28/12 2:34pm
Msg #424940

Re: I would change the age range to 14-18. LOL

Anesthetize teenagers? No way.

Euthanize them.

Reply by Les_CO on 6/28/12 11:07am
Msg #424916

My favorite furniture store has a sign that states: “NO DOGS OR SMALL CHILDERN ALLOWED!”
Personally I’d rather not conduct a signing with either present.
If I get to a signing and there is a dog present I smile at the signers and say: “My civil attorney partner tells me a dog bite is worth $100,000.00!”

Reply by CentralNY on 6/28/12 11:24am
Msg #424920

Les, I love that. I'll have to remember that one.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/28/12 4:48pm
Msg #424957

That may be more effective than "allergic"! :>) n/m

Reply by ValleyGrl/VA on 6/28/12 11:08am
Msg #424917

I read "Yoki" as "yorkie" and wondered how a little ankle biter could stick his nose you know where! LOL! Sorry you had to deal with that - I don't blame you for the wine consumption!

Reply by Clem/CA on 6/28/12 11:28am
Msg #424922

Lucky dog...

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 6/28/12 5:23pm
Msg #424960

Ewwwwwww, Clem... n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 6/28/12 1:00pm
Msg #424925

Sorry to hear you had that experience. I love dogs, but

know that if people really love their animals they TRAIN them, and don't allow them to be all over people. The new tv shows, Dogs in the City, is great & I hope a lot of dog-owners watch it. He shows over & over again that the problem is usually with the owner & both owner & dog need training.
In the meantime, set your boundaries, ask if animals are in the household, ask them to put them away while you're there, etc. IMO, that's not inappropriate. The signing processing process requires everyone to focus. Pets & small children, while wonderful, and too distracting to be part of the small amt. of time required to sign the paperwork.
This field can be stressful enough without all those unnecessary stresses.

Reply by ikando on 6/28/12 9:09pm
Msg #424997

Re: Sorry to hear you had that experience. I love dogs, but

I find it interesting that the same people who would never think about taking their pets with them to the bank, have no qualms allowing their pets to maul the professional who is bringing the bank's paperwork to their home. They must be forgetting that they're conducting a serious business transaction, and sometimes need to be reminded.

I like Les' comment about the attorney's suggestion.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 6/28/12 2:34pm
Msg #424941

Agreed!

I had one last week where the signer (a single person) had just had foot surgery and was in a boot cast. Midway through the signing her Jack Russell Terrier unlatched the front door and took off down the street.

I ran after and caught him (she never would have been able to catch the little bugger).

As an aside, I agree, people need to put up their nosy dogs.

In all of my time doing this, I've been bitten by two dogs, but NINE children have bit me.

Anymore, when I get to a house with a snotty-nosed two-year-old, my very first thought is "do you have a crate for that?"

:-/

Reply by LKT/CA on 6/28/12 8:51pm
Msg #424996

Msg 413855 n/m