That'll Learn Ya

[slowfox]

Got in from walking Mali just after 8 last night, and was surprised to hear a knock at the door. Answering, I discovered that it was a meter guy for the electricity, so I let him in, and he walks past me into the hall of Castle Fox as I'm closing the door behind him.

"Hang on a sec," quoth I, "I've got a dog..."

Electricity meter guy ignores me (rather rudely, I thought) and opens the door to the Banquet Hall himself and walks straight in.

The. Dog. Goes. Mental...

Now, Mali is, um, kinda 'in your face' when he meets new people. Actually, he's a bit over-boisterous when he meets people he's familiar with. But I have never before let anyone walk into his domain without me leading first, so that I can keep a hold of him

Anyway, he was not happy with this stranger, and hurled himself at him. Electricity Guy beats a hasty retreat back into the hall, trying to close the door behind him as I attempt to get past him in my own house to calm down the dog who's now in full on attack mode, heckles raised and growling.

Pacification took a little while, but was achieved with only mild scratches to myself, at which point I let the Electricity Guy read the meter, and then he went on his way (not unhurriedly).

Perhaps next time someone says 'hang on a sec,' to him, though, he might think that there could be a reason beyond perhaps the house-owner wishing to remove an incriminatingly paused DVD image from the screen...

As for Mali, I'm certainly not complaining about him; Electricity Guy was surprised and caught unawares, but not physically harmed. So I figure Mali did his job there. *proffers biscuit*

Comments

[aome]

Well, now you know for sure that you're well-protected. :) And, sheesh, what a rude guy. I know in our house, the words "let me deal with the dog first" always gets great respect - home-checkers are always rather leery of strange dogs.

[slowfox]

Well, now you know for sure that you're well-protected. :)

Indeed so! And I'm really rather gratified that Mali responded in the way he did :-)

[carolanne5]

I'm scared to think of Mali in mental mode. Friendly bosterious mode was scary enough!

[slowfox]

Yeah, he's a bit of a handful when friendly, but when riled, he's something else altogether :-)

But don't worry, he know's you :-)

[alicit]

He must have been new... or hard of hearing. I'd say experienced meter readers would show a bit more respect when told about a dog in the premises... respect for the dog at least, if not for the humans.

[slowfox]

I'm guessing he was new, agreed - he was definitely chastened by the experience, that's for sure, so as you say, hopefully this will instil some respect for canines in the future.

[sophie8]

That is not like Mali at all. Maybe he sensed the guy was an arse. Or maybe there was something dodgy about him. At least you don't need to worry that Mali would be friendly with a stranger in the house with more malicious intentions.

[slowfox]

Well, I have to say it was a little odd to have a meter reading post 8pm for starters... I was a bit surprised that he just walked straight into the living/dining room without being invited, as it were, so I am glad that Mali stood his ground (well, more than stood).

[schnurble]

Good dog :o)

[slowfox]

Indeed so! :D