Three Sides To Every Story.

I’m hesitant to even write this because I fear I may lose some credibility. However, I think it is an important point to make especially with the current state of the world where everyone is just so angry and divided. The current environment, I believe, is so heavy it can cloud people’s judgment.

I have worked very hard on trying to always see the other person’s viewpoint. It’s a constant practice. Key word being: practice. This scenario is a perfect example of a “taste of my own medicine” and I felt the need to share.

I got a ticket the other day because Petey was wandering off leash in the Town Forest (where dogs ARE allowed off leash). Was I angry? Yes. But the more I thought about it, I was more angry at myself that I let it happen.

Here’s another perspective of the narrative that day:
Dogs are allowed off leash, however, you need to have them be “in your control”. The meatball and I went down a path that we don’t normally go down. Petey is usually right by my side or a few yards away wandering, where if I call him, he comes right away. This particular day, he lost his way. After what felt like a couple minutes of calling him and not hearing him rustle in the woods, I turned around to go back and find him. As I was returning down the path, I walked by a woman who said “I think your dog is back there and he looks very confused – the animal control officer is back there.”

“Great.” I think to myself. “THE ONE time he goes astray, animal control is here.”
Ten seconds later, I see the animal control officer – “your dog is back there and he seems very confused – you might want to call him.”

“Petey!” – Along bounds Petey.

A bunch of questioning ensues, which is the officer doing his job. (I still don’t appreciate the questioning of him being a pitbull, because frankly, why does it matter? I also don’t appreciate the commentary about him looking intimidating.)

BUT. Was I in the wrong? Yes.

Was Petey out of my control? Yes.

Was he causing trouble or “a nuisance at large” as the ticket officially cited? In my mind, no, but to people who don’t like dogs (booooooo!) and are trying to enjoy the town forest, yes.

Was the animal control officer doing his job? Yes.

Am I still annoyed I got a ticket? Yes.

Will I fight it? No, because I was wrong and I can admit that.

The point of sharing this, is to exemplify how easy it is to persuade people of a narrative you want them to follow. It was not my intent, because I was angry that day and felt I was wronged. But the more I thought about it and reflected, I understand I was wrong and that officer was doing his job.

Does that burn a little bit? Yes, because we all want to think we’re right all the time, especially when it comes to anything involving our loved ones. But I can admit when I’m wrong.

Immediately following the incident, I was angry and needed validation so where do I go? Social media. And it didn’t fail. You guys stood up for me and Petey. And I thank you so much for that, because it IS heartwarming, but at the same time there was a little bit of gnawing at me that I wasn’t sharing the entire story and was just trying to get validation for my feeling of injustice. I apologize for the misleading nature of that initial narrative. That certainly wasn’t the intent which is why I’m sharing this.

The moral of the story is, there are always three sides to every story and this is a perfect example of that.