These are strange and fascinating times. Whatever is coming, we will be talking about these days for the rest of our lives, and I hope that is a long time for everyone reading this.

Today, another crisp beautiful day – Spring arrives tomorrow – Zinnia and I went for our now regular walk into the woods and towards a local lake. I was puzzled at first by the wide distance people were giving me and Zinnia – they walked as far as they could get on the other side of the road as we walked along.

I wondered if it was me – people usually love to see Zinnia – but then I realized some were wearing scarves draped across their mouths thinking this was protection from the coronavirus (it isn’t, according to the CDC,  scarves create warmth which incubates viruses).

The dogs, like the people,  were all learning Social Distancing.

I was glad of this at one point, where embattled people were hanging onto four Pit Bulls, all of them growing and barking and charging towards Zinnia, The Bedlam Princess. The dogs didn’t get the message, they looked like they wanted to eat Zinnia, who is anything but a fighter.

She woofed back, but not with much enthusiasm, and one of the people, a small woman, was struggling to keep standing as her dog roared and tried to charge at us. I am not one of those people who believe Pit Bulls are evil or should be banned, but I do wish some of their owners would be realistic and thoughtful about exposing the excitable or mistreated ones to other dogs.

We came pretty close to dealing with a pack of poorly trained Pit Bulls dying to get at Zinnia, and I was plotting all kinds of desperate moves to get away or up a tree while holding her (that would not have worked.)

People love their dogs and hate to deprive them of anything, but those dogs should not be out walking on short, thin and frayed leashes by people who could barely control them (one of the people was pulled to the ground) and almost lost control.

And why walk with four together?

Pit Bulls can make the most wonderful, loyal and gentle,  pets, but there are lots of stories around about their owners in denial about the damage they can cause, and that puts small dogs and people at risk. I’ve heard lots of awful stories.

I believe humans should be held responsible, and if necessary, punished when their dogs attack people or dogs, it’s hardly ever the dog’s fault. If I knew my dog wanted to go after other dogs, I wouldn’t be giving them so many chances. Or expose them to be seized, euthanized or left in crates for years.

The responsible dog people know to be careful with any large dog that is bred to fight. But we also know there are tons of dog owners who are anything but responsible.

I have nothing against the breed. I wouldn’t want a Pit Bull, mostly because so many people are frightened of them. Today, there was a good cause. I don’t want a dog that scares people, that’s not why I get dogs.

We moved away quickly and had a lovely walk, Zinnia plunged into the water. It was interesting to see how deeply the idea of Social Distancing has spread throughout the country, including the dog world.

Actually, I could have used some more of it today.