No tale of entering somebody’s castle would be complete without an encounter with the four legged security guards?
Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs but one learns when dealing with the unknown; you stay alert at all times to the physical cues and what they mean. This cuts both ways, not only you understanding the dog but also the dog interpreting the signals you are transmitting.
So, here I am outside a tall barred gate leading to a path down between two liquid amber trees which are casting a green shady aura over a well-manicured garden. When opening the gate, I make as much noise as I possibly can to announce my arrival. I am greeted by the sound of wind in the rustling leaves, otherwise silence. Assuming that the ‘coast is clear’; I make my way down the path towards the unseen mansion.
Entering a circular area, I am confronted by two dogs; a Rhodesian Ridgeback and a Blue Heeler. The ambush site is well chosen, leaving me open to attack on all sides. Both dogs have taken up a confrontational stance with heads lowered, eye contact maintained, ears flattened and teeth bared.
I slowly move my left arm in front so that my tool box is between me and the dogs. In my right hand I have my bulky one piece test telephone which I move behind me. As soon as I take one step backwards, the Blue Heeler starts a slow circle to try and get behind me. I retreat another step and I can now feel a wall against my back. The Blue Heeler barks in frustration and the spell is broken. I hear a woman’s voice asking ‘who is there’ and I yell out ‘the phone technician’.
The dogs immediately sit and feign a submissive posture. An elderly lady appears, takes in the situation and observes that I’ve been playing with her dogs. She takes my arm and introduces me to Buffy (the technician slayer) and Margo. I’m told to extend my hand out so they can recognize my scent. I put down my tool box and offer up my left hand (I’m right handed) to be sniffed or chewed. Buffy the Ridgeback, shoulders Margo out of the way and rubs her head against my hand. I rub her neck and back until she starts wagging her tail. Margo gives Buffy a wide berth and approaches from my right side tail already wagging. Smart dog, to extend my right hand I’ve got to put down my test telephone, thus disarming myself and giving the dog the advantage. After sniffing my hand she looks at me and gives me a husky yap. The lady now tells me I’ve been accepted and to follow her to the manor.
My furry escorts stop at the front door (they’re not allowed in the house) leaving me to fix the phones, which doesn’t take long.
On the way out, I ask the lady why there are no ‘Beware of the Dog Signs’ at which point she arches one eye brow and explains that the dogs aren’t vicious and wouldn’t even hurt a cat. At this point I’m figuring that there are three females in this family and she is the unfeeling ring leader.
Why ‘unfeeling’ I hear you say?
Because in those days, if you display a ‘Beware of the Dog’ sign, then you are admitting that the dogs may injure somebody entering your premises and if that happens, then you are open to litigation. However there is a slight chance that the dog can be saved from being ‘put down’. By not displaying a sign you can argue that you had ‘no idea’ that your dog was vicious and you could escape litigation. Unfortunately, the dog would be judged ‘uncontrollable’ and would be destroyed.
I reached the gate with my new friends Buffy and Margo both wanting a farewell pat which I could not deny. However, I left this job with a bad taste in my mouth.
