Yesterday while I was out walking with Leon some f*ing asshat's dog, who he either didn't bother to put a lead on or took off when he was out of the actual apartment complex, ran up and tried to attack him. It was a very scary experience for the both of us and was horribly angering for James when I got Leon back home. What made it so angering was the fact that the entire thing could have been prevented. We are in an apartment complex and have no areas around where a dog's lead could or should be taken off except for inside your home. But supposedly this dog was friendly, especially towards smaller dogs. The man did apologize for what happened, though I'm not sure how that was supposed to help. Well meaning, but not helpful.

Today I have gotten Leon out for a few walks as I can, between house chores. He's doing fine around people, which is a good thing, but he's not doing so well when he hears other dogs. The first time he barked, and it set off what sounded like a big dog inside one of the apartments. When Leon heard it he bolted for our door to get back inside our house. The second time we were out for a long walk and he saw a couple of MinPins and sort of started towards them apprehensively. Then one of them spotted him and started barking. His owner told him to shush because it was just a baby and quite far away. But Leon was still upset by it and it caused him to start shaking and backing off. I picked him up until they were gone away. I know this doesn't help the situation with other dogs any, but I just don't think any of the dogs around here are good to help him recover from that ordeal. I'm planning to take him up to my parents house at the end of the week, my brother is graduating and they're having a potluck for him, and see if he does any better there with Todd. Todd is their dog. He and Leon have met twice before, first time when we brought him home and yesterday when I took him with me up to the doctor's office. Both times Todd has been fine with him around and Leon has been happy to have someone to play with, albeit a much larger and older someone. :)

So I'm a little upset that he's afraid of other dogs now when two days ago he was just fine and happy. This should NEVER have happened and though I know it's not, it feels like all my fault for not being able to protect him better. I am glad that no physical harm came to him but still don't understand how that man could have been so irresponsible with his dog. Had Leon been hurt physically, no apology could have ever fixed it. *sigh* I just don't get it...